Defending Democracy in a Polarised World: A Dialogue on Brazil

Following an election in October 2022, and under the shadow of the storming of the Presidential compound in Brasilia on 8 January 2023 by supporters of former president Jair Bolsonaro, Luis Inacio Lula da Silva (President Lula) took office as President of Brazil. In this address, Robert Muggah, co-Founder of the Igarape Institute, a leading Brazilian think tank, examines what the Lula Presidency might mean for Brazil and for the wider region and reflects on the challenges and opportunities that Brazil and President Lula may face in an increasingly polarised world. This event was organised in conjunction with the Embassy of Ireland in Brazil. About the Speaker: Robert Muggah specializes in security, cities, climate action and digital transformation. He co-founded the Igarapé Institute, a think and do tank focused on human, digital and climate security. He also co-founded the SecDev Group, a data science company committed to detecting and deterring cyber threats and building digital resilience. Robert is also a senior adviser to McKinsey, a fellow at Princeton, the Graduate Institute (Geneva), the Chicago Council on Global Affairs and is non-resident faculty at Singularity University. Robert also advises the World Economic Forum’s Council on the Future of Cities, its annual Global Risk Report and the Global Parliament of Mayors. He earned a DPhil at the University of Oxford.