Why is Brazil Important?

Alongside China and India, Brazil is an emerged economic giant. It is also custodian of a large part of the environmentally sensitive Amazon Basin. Home to an extraordinary hybrid culture that unites Indigenous, European and African influences, Brazil is world-renowned for its dynamic music, dance and food. Soon, Brazil will play host to the World Cup and then Rio will be home to the Olympics in 2016. These two sporting events are historically significant but they also highlight the social issues that plague Brazil, including poverty, crime and inadequate social services. Dr Ralph Newmark (Director, Institute of Latin American Studies, La Trobe University) uses Brazilian music to illustrate his award‑winning teaching and research methodology of 'aural history'. Introduced by Professor Tim Murray as a public lecture for the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences at La Trobe University. Copyright 2014 La Trobe University, all rights reserved. Please contact for permissions.