Brazil

Since the fall of the military dictatorship in 1981, Brazil's foreign policy has sought to create a new multipolar geopolitical and economic system based on the three guiding concepts of development, universalism and autonomy. At the beginning of the 21st century, this endeavour resulted in the "BRICS" grouping of Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa. At first, it seemed that the economic power of the BRICS countries could shape this new order and provide a stronger basis for foreign cultural policy. Economic growth and political turmoil threatened these efforts. Nevertheless, Brazil has dramatically improved its performance in higher education and research. Compared to the 1990s, the number of master's graduates rose from 3,000 to 50,000 by 2018, and the number of doctoral students from 1,000 to 15,000.