Brasília, May 28, 2004 (Agência Brasil) - The acting President of Brazil, José Alencar, asked municipalities, states, private companies, and non-governmental organizations (NGO's) to adhere to programs aimed at promoting racial equality. "Our country has all the characteristics to provide the world an example of equality among the races, because Brazil is made up of the most mixed race of all," Alencar emphasized. He participated in the inauguration yesterday (27) in Brasília of the Intergovernmental Forum to Promote Racial Equality, organized by the Special Secretariat for Policies to Promote Racial Equality (Seppir).

The acting President appealed to Brazilians to draw closer to racial equality. Alencar underscored that on November 20, 2003, President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva launched six programs to promote racial equality, taking an important step to reduce inequalities in the economic, social, political, and cultural spheres.

Reporter: Bianca Estrella
Translator: David Silberstein