Hi all,

Well after reading this article I felt the need to introduce a new thread just so I could post it on here for you to read!

Also it is a good reason to strike up a discussion regarding security and safety issues in brazil as this seems to be a topic highly talked about when you bring the subject up about brazil!!

I feel safer now of the future prospects of brazil after reading this interesting article!

Its just now a case of time and will they or wont they stick to it and make it happen:confused??

Brazil's progressive new security plan
Brazil's new national security plan is a pioneering departure from zero-tolerance tactics, but for all the funding and good ideas, many are worried that implementation will be a problem.
Friday, August 24, 2007By Sam Logan
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Discuss On 20 August, Brazilian President Luis Inacio "Lula" da Silva presented a new national security plan for Brazil. It is the second such plan announced during his presidency, and this time, according to Lula, it will work because the budget is in place.

The Brazilian government will invest some US$3.3 billion in national security over the next five years. It is an ambitious national security plan that combines social development considerations with the necessities of security, prison improvement and community policing.

Leaders from nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) that focus on reduction of violence have given the plan a nod of approval, but they agree with a wide section of the Brazilian populace that is doubtful the measure will ever leave paper.

The plan has five basic components. The first identifies 11 areas around the country where security is a top priority, mostly in urban centers. Contrary to international belief, Rio de Janeiro and Sao Paulo do not top the list.

The little known city of Victoria, in Espiritu Santo, is Brazil's most violent with just over 78 homicides per 100,000 inhabitants. Narrowing the age to between 15 and 29, this number jumps to to approximately159 per 100,000. Recife is second on the list. Rio de Janeiro and Sao Paulo are fifth and seventh, respectively.

Rather than apply a federal level focus on the well worn zero-tolerance seek and destroy missions into insecure areas, the new national security plan calls for communication and social development programs to take the lead, where possible. Placing such a heavy emphasis on development is what makes this plan progressive and potentially a model for the region.

Once development takes root, the second major component of Brazil's plan, called Mothers of Peace, can take place. This component will focus on using mothers as the primary component of positive, crime free development inside Brazil's most dangerous communities.

By offering mothers basic legal training, job training and other educational programs that will lay the groundwork for them to become productive citizens, it is believed that they will pass along some of these lessons to their sons, nephews and cousins who are tempted to enter a life of crime

See ya D