These both look realy interesting. Anyone keen on seeing the movie with me before going to the cocktail party?

'Brazil in the 21^st Century – Agribusiness Superpower' talk

            Wednesday 10^th September, 5:45pm

Lecture Theatre 1, Old Government Buildings, Victoria University Pipitea Campus

Professor Eduardo Giannetti Da Fonseca has a PhD in Economics from Cambridge University.  He is Professor, the faculty of Economics, at IBMEC, a prestigious business school in Sao Paulo.  He is also a member of the Superior Economic Council of FIESP, Brazil's most powerful business association.  His interests include economic theory and history, the economy of well being, ethics, philosophy, sustainability.

Giannetti is one of the most popular conference speakers and commentators in Brazil, an 'opinion maker' who appears frequently on current affairs shows and in the mainstream press, where he has the reputation for being able to explain economics in simple terms. He is the author of six books, including Private Vices, Public benefits? and Happiness, and the Value of Tomorrow.

Giannetti was named Economist of the Year by the Order of Economists of Sao Paulo in 2007. He has become progressively more involved in the sustainability debate in recent times.

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* Abya Yala documentary screening

            Friday 12^th September, 6pm

            St Johns Conference Centre, Dixon Street

Abya Yala was the name given to the American continent by the native Kuna nations of Panama and Colombia before the arrival of Christopher Columbus. It means "Land in its Full Maturity".  Since 1992, this is also the name that the indigenous nations of America have been using for the continent instead of naming it after Amerigo Vespucci.

Abya Yala, the documentary, is a fascinating look at the history of the struggle against poverty and oppression in Bolivia and charts the emergence of a new kind of politics and leadership, showing how these forces have won power at the national level.  The encounter with many indigenous figures but also academics, analysts of the Bolivian situation and honest citizens brings understanding of the main issues surrounding the accession to power of the first proud indigenous President in Bolivia since the Spanish conquest.

A short discussion at the end of the film will be led by Mayra Gomez - Born in Bolivia, she has worked with human rights, economic development, and peace initiatives throughout the world and currently lives and works in Aotearoa.