Obama says success of a country is linked to education

On a visit to Brazil on a day that coincided with another series of protests against cuts in the education budget, former President Barack Obama said today (30) that no country can succeed if it does not invest in education. "Giving education and social services is not charity, it's an economic development tool," Obama said, speaking to a public of more than 10,000 people in São Paulo at a digital innovation and technology event promoted by VTex and whose value of the tickets reached R $ 2,500.   

"If a country does not invest in people, it will probably not be successful," said the former US president, explaining that investment in education also is an investment in the economy and the market.   

"Sometimes, especially in Latin America, where there are political divisions between left and right, everything is very ideological, I see that people do not believe in government and the market. But there is no functioning market without good government.   

And if you do not have a good education system, do not have a good market, "Obama said. 

"A country needs laws, transparency, accountability, tax base, infrastructure, investments in schools. All these things make a good market, better to do business, "he said. "I remember the first time I was in Brazil as president. I saw some boys playing soccer in a favela in Rio de Janeiro and I remembered my childhood, several ideas came to my head. I was like those boys. The only difference between me and them is that I was lucky enough to have an education, "Obama said. Underscoring the role and his mother and his teachers in their training, Obama also talked about inequality.   

"A talented person deserves to be rewarded for it. The issue is not total equality. But yes, provide opportunities for people equally, "said Obama, who ruled the United States between 2009 and 2017.   

According to Obama, in Brazil, the United States and the world, in general, it is necessary to "improve children's ability to analyze information" and think critically. "We have to improve children's ability not only in calculations or math, but in analyzing information, new information and situations," he said.   

This Thursday, Obama spoke for an hour. In addition to education, he tackled issues such as environment and technology and criticized current weapons legislation in the United States.  

While Obama was speaking, protesters took to the streets for the second time this month to protest against cuts in the education budget proposed by the federal government and in acts contrary to President Jair Bolsonaro. It was the second time Obama has come to Brazil since leaving the White House. The last visit came in 2017. "I love Brazil, but I have to say that São Paulo traffic is very bad, even with scouts," joked the former president. Before speaking in Sao Paulo, Obama met with Pelé