Recife, 10/1/2003 (Agência Brasil - ABr) - With representatives of the Brazilian government's General Accounting Office (tribunal de contas - a watchdog agency), and delegates from five countries, plus local authorities, a seminar has begun in Recife on ethics, citizenship and the environment.

The event was opened by a justice of the Brazil's General Accounting Office (Federal Tribunal de Contas), Marcos Vinícius Vilaça, who spoke on "The Tribunal de Contas and the quality of public service."

The event will be closed with a speech by minister of Environment, Marina Silva, on government environmental policy. (AB)