Barcelona - What grew 4.5% a year in Brazil between 1991 and 2000? Unfortunately it was not the economy; it was the number of people living in urban slums (favelas), reports the government statistical bureau (Instituto Brasileiro de Geografia e Estatística) (IBGE). During the same period, average annual population growth was 1.6%. The IBGE says it is now estimated that by the year 2050, fully 80% of all Brazilians will live in a city.

With those numbers in his baggage, minister of Cities, Olivio Dutra, has arrived in Spain to met with a UN task force on the Millennium Targets established to improve the situation of inhabitants of slums. Dutra travelled along with Jorge Hereda, the Housing secretary, and Raquel Rolnik, head of Urban Programs.

According to Dutra, the model in place today excludes people. "Those who are most adversely affected are the poor and those of African descent. They live in substandard housing, do not have basic sanitation or access to jobs or leisure activities, not to mention education and healthcare," declared the minister, adding that "improving the situation of those living in precarious housing must be seen as a crucial element in the war on poverty."

Agência Brasil
Reporter:Juliana Andrade
Translator: Allen Bennett
09/13/2004