Escrito em 31 de janeiro de 2019, por Gabriela Pellegrino Soares, para apoiar a indicação de Lula ao Prêmio Nobel da Paz.
Em 2022, as razões para meu voto seguem as mesmas.
In a country where legacy of long lasting slavery has not yet been overcome, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva brought dignity and social improvements to people who live in poverty and lack of rights.
Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva has been one of the founders of the Workers´ Party in Brazil. Coming himself from a poor background – migrant from the droughts in the North East of the country, future manual worker of the car industries in the outskirts of São Paulo, injured by a machine that cut his finger, gifted trade union leader – he has always been known for his capacity of conciliating. Left wing, but never a radical, a brilliant and spontaneous speaker, a man with little education and great intelligence.
Supported by members of the Catholic Church, intellectuals connected to the University of São Paulo, as well as musicians and artists, the party played an important role in the transition from Military Dictatorship to Democracy in the 1980s, encouraging the participation of new social ranks in the country´s political scenery.
Despite constant attacks of the press and despising regards of the major part of elites, Lula has been elected president in late 2002, when he ran for the third time. He ruled the country throughout two democratic tenures, which represented a historical landmark in terms of tackling social inequities. Transparency and control of corruption have been encouraged, as well as the absolute freedom of thought and expression.
Lula has helped to approach Brazil to other developing countries, specially in Latin America and Africa. The country became a strong member of Brics and has clearly taken positions in favour of world peace. He was also praised by other world leaders, as proved by the amount of honours and prizes he received. Among others, in Davos.
Access to upper education has been widen and many young people achieved, as first generation, an academic degree. The impact was visible not only in social mobility, but also in self confidence of social ranks that have traditionally been given no perception of citizenship.
For domestic servants – a domain where the heritage of slavery is stronger than elsewhere – Lula´s time in Brazil meant a profound change, both in law and in everyday behaviours.
Lula supported scientific research, acknowledging its essential role for the country and human kind. Furthermore, he promoted relevant progresses in protecting indigenous people and the environment, two of Brazil´s precious treasures that represent, in the eyes of the world, a unique responsibility.
Gabriela Pellegrino Soares é Professora de História da América Contemporânea na Usp, pesquisadora do CNPq e membro da coordenação de área na Fapesp.