A space for qualified and plural dialogue
As the Fundação FHC celebrates its 20th anniversary, it embarks on a new cycle of contributions to the country.
At the end of his term, Fernando Henrique Cardoso decided to establish this foundation inspired by similar organizations linked to former European and American governments: “I wanted it to be not only a center of historical memory but also a place for debates on democracy and development. Two causes with which I have been involved from a very early age.” The dream materialized in 2004 and, two decades later, we are a unique institution in Brazil and Latin America, consolidated as a space for dialogue and production of qualified and plural knowledge.
The activities of the Fundação FHC include conducting debates, exhibitions, and educational activities, as well as producing books, articles, teaching materials, and videos that value citizen formation and grounded knowledge.
The next twenty years will be crucial for Brazil to reach a higher level of development. Will we be able to advance with greater speed and consistency, with better democratic governance, more state policies, less destructive polarization, greater and better integration into the world, faster elimination of poverty, and reduction of inequalities, on socio-environmentally sustainable bases? A collective effort in which the Fundação FHC will take part, with even greater commitment.
A window to understand Brazil and the world
Non-profit and non-partisan, the Fundação FHC, created by Fernando Henrique Cardoso in 2004, has a mission to promote a higher quality democracy, based on informed citizenship, committed to the common good, and open to dialogue.
We operate as a think tank dedicated to public debate and the production and dissemination of knowledge about the challenges of development and democracy in Brazil, in its relationship with the world. In addition, we preserve and make available the archives of Ruth Cardoso, Fernando Henrique Cardoso, and other public figures linked to the couple, in order to contribute to research and the dissemination of knowledge about Brazilian history.
As a sociologist and politician, Fernando Henrique Cardoso has always sought to understand Brazil’s and the world’s challenges and build, together with his peers and society, solutions to our civilizational dilemmas. He is a man of asking questions, not of rigid and immutable affirmations. This foundation has the same purpose. We are a window to look at reality from a broader perspective. To know the past, understand the present, and project the future. To think together and build together.
What are the values that guide the actions of the Fundação FHC?
Activity Reports
Since its inception in 2004, the Fundação FHC has published an annual digital and physical book detailing all the activities and content it has produced, including seminars, publications, video series and educational programmes.
The report provides an update on the work of organising, caring for and digitising the FHC collection, which began two decades ago and continues to evolve. And about the curation of our online and face-to-face exhibitions, which bring together rare documents related to the themes of the exhibitions.
Reporting on our activities in full transparency is part of our mission as a non-profit organisation focused on the public interest, as well as a commitment to our sponsors and supporters over the last 20 years, and to all the people who contribute their work and experience to our activities.
Activity Report 2023
In 2023, we held 31 debates, launched eleven publications, and produced five virtual exhibitions. We released two new seasons of the mini-doc series "Vale a Pena Perguntar" and over a hundred videos on YouTube. The exhibition "Um Plano Real" was visited by hundreds of students from public and private schools. The topics covered were the crisis of democracy, climate emergency, geopolitical changes, and the impact of new technologies, especially Artificial Intelligence, among others.
Honorary Presidency
Fernando Henrique Cardoso
Board of Trustees
Board of Trustees - Lifetime Members
Beatriz Cardoso
Fernando Henrique Cardoso
Luciana Cardoso
Paulo Henrique Cardoso
Board of Trustees - Non-lifetime Members
Celso Lafer
Chairman of the Board of Trustees
Arminio Fraga Neto
Henri Philippe Reichstul
José Olympio da Veiga Pereira
Oscar Vilhena Vieira
Supervisory Board
Everardo de Almeida Maciel
Executive Team
Board of Directors
Institutional Relations
Legal Counsel
José de Oliveira Costa
Office of the President
José Luiz Sá de Castro Lima
Collection
Jéssica Almeida
Librarian
Ana Paula Moreira
Cultural Agent
Studies and Debates
Institutional Communication
Administrative, Financial and Human Resources
Secretariat
Maintenance and General Support
