Interview with the director of the Maison du Brésil
I am a professor at the University of Brasília, with French doctoral training. I have maintained strong inter-university cooperation with French institutions, particularly in the fields of renewable energy and sustainable development, throughout three decades. In 2005-2006, I spent a period as a visiting professor in Paris, living at the Maison du Portugal. Since then, I have regularly travelled to Paris for research activities and frequented the Cité internationale, in particular the Maison du Brésil. The Cité internationale universitaire de Paris is a place where I feel fully integrated, adhering to its fundamental values and participating in the daily life of this cosmopolitan and humanistic environment that it offers. The challenge of running the Maison du Brésil represents a commitment to this magical place, where I have had the chance to enjoy enriching professional and personal experiences.
The institutional values of the Cité internationale, which emphasise a humanist commitment to peace and cultural diversity, as well as respect for human beings and nature, show a strong conceptual affinity with the contemporary challenges of equity and sustainability. La Cité breathes this and, through its residences, institutionally promotes an environment conducive to debate, the confrontation of ideas and respect for difference. Living in this environment naturally leads students and researchers to reflect on these values. The permanent cohabitation of the 6,800 residents on campus, representing 150 different nationalities, allows us to reflect on the search for common interests and respect for differences. That’s unique.
Harmony. Because in the Cité internationale, we live in an atmosphere dedicated to the quest for balance for society and the planet.
Ambassador of Brazil to France and president of the foundation
Born in Rio de Janeiro on 16 August 1957, Ricardo Neiva Tavares studied law at the University of Brasilia from 1976 to 1978, and in 1979 received the Diplôme Supérieur de Langue et Littérature françaises (3rd degree) from the University of Nancy II. In 1979 and 1980, Mr Neiva Tavares attended the Diplomatic Career Preparation Course at the Rio Branco Institute in Brasilia and, in 1983 and 1984, the course at the Ecole Nationale d’Administration (Promotion Léonard de Vinci). In 1997, he presented his thesis on non-governmental organisations at the United Nations as part of the postgraduate course at the Rio Branco Institute.
Ambassador Neiva Tavares began his diplomatic career as Third Secretary in 1980, and was promoted to Second Secretary (1982), First Secretary (1987), Counsellor (1994), Minister Second Class (2001) and Minister First Class (2005).
At the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, his positions included Assistant to the Head of the Europe-I Division (1980 to 1983 and 1985 to 1986), Adviser to the Secretary General (1993 to 1995), General Coordinator of Economic Organisations (2001 to 2002), Head of the Social Communications Department (2003 to 2004), Head of the Press Office in the Minister’s Office (2004 to 2006) and Special Adviser to the Minister of Foreign Affairs (2006 to 2008). He was also Senior Adviser for International Affairs to the Supreme Federal Court (2020 to 2022).
Abroad, he was Second Secretary (1986 and 1987) and First Secretary (1987 to 1989) at the Brazilian Embassy in Paris; First Secretary at the Brazilian Embassy in Tokyo (1989 to 1993); Counsellor at the Brazilian Mission to the United Nations in New York (1995 to 1998); and Counsellor at the Brazilian Embassy in Canberra (1998 to 2001).
He was Brazil’s ambassador to the European Communities (2008 to 2010) and to the European Union (2010 to 2013); Brazil’s ambassador to Italy and, cumulatively, to Malta and San Marino (2013 to 2016); and Brazil’s ambassador to Austria and permanent representative to the international organisations based in Vienna (2016 to 2018).
An Officier de la Légion d’ Honneur and Chevalier de l’Ordre National du Mérite of France, Ambassador Neiva Tavares is also Chevalier de la Grand-Croix de l’Ordre du Mérite of Italy and has been awarded the Grand-Croix de l’Ordre du Rio Branco of Brazil, the Grand Insignia of Honour in Gold for services to the Republic of Austria, the Order of Orange Nassau of the Netherlands (Grand Officer), the Royal Norwegian Order of Merit (Commander) and the Royal Order of Al-Alaoui of Morocco (Comendador), among other decorations.
He is married to Cecilia de Meira Penna Neiva Tavares, with whom he has four children.