This lecture is part of the series “China–Latin America Youth Responding to Global Challenges — 2026 Poverty Alleviation Challenge”, and is jointly organized with the course Exploring Latin America and the Caribbean Countries.
About the Poverty Alleviation Challenge Program
Poverty alleviation is a common challenge for developing countries and a shared challenge for the whole world.
In 2024, the Tsinghua University Latin America Center, the Research Center for China–Latin America Management Studies of Tsinghua University School of Economics and Management (SEM), and the Center for Global Competence Development at Tsinghua University, in collaboration with Latin American university partners, launched the China–Latin America Youth Responding to Global Challenges — 2024 Poverty Alleviation Challenge Program in China, Brazil, and Chile. The initiative sparked a wave of university-led dialogues on poverty alleviation between China and Latin America.
In November of the same year, during Chinese President Xi Jinping’s state visit to Brazil for the G20 Summit, Tsinghua University and the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro signed a cooperation agreement for this program. The agreement was included in the official outcomes of the visit, marking the program as a landmark project for win-win development between China and Latin America.
Building on this foundation, the 2025 Poverty Alleviation Challenge Program, jointly organized by Tsinghua University and its Latin American partners, attracted more than 310 participants from 27 universities and enterprises across four countries. Twelve teams advanced to the cross-national finals held in Chile and Brazil.
The 2026 Poverty Alleviation Challenge Program will further expand innovation based on the 2025 edition, injecting new momentum into global poverty alleviation efforts. Through cross-national team formation, competitions, and field research, it aims to bring together young talents from China and Latin America to explore practical solutions to poverty challenges. Outstanding teams will also have opportunities to travel to Latin America for study and exchange.
If you are eager to contribute new momentum to global poverty alleviation, now is the perfect time to begin.
About the Course “Exploring Latin America and the Caribbean Countries”
In 2018, the Tsinghua University Latin America Center was established in Santiago, Chile. As Tsinghua’s key platform for engagement in Latin America, the Center supports the University’s mission of cultivating global competence and promotes academic research, cultural exchange, and technological cooperation with countries in the region.
In the Spring Semester of 2026, the Exploring Latin America and the Caribbean Countries lecture series consists of seven sessions. Chinese speakers include Professor Li Ziying from Beijing Foreign Studies University, among others. International speakers include: Flavia Zacconi from Pontifical Catholic University of Chile, Paula Carvalho from Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, INCT-PPED, Enrique Dussel Peters from National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM), Jhon Beens from Central University of Venezuela.
These scholars will deliver lectures on key topics related to Latin America’s development, governance, and global engagement.
Event Information
Time: May 14, 2026 (Thursday), 20:30–22:00 (Beijing Time)
Format: Online & Offline
Offline Venue: Room A101, Jianhua Building, Tsinghua University
Online Platform: Zoom
Link:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82643785470?pwd=wRa6fMyUOeyluAo90xIsEIXW0PyeXb.1
Meeting ID: 826 4378 5470
Passcode: 775018
Students enrolled in the course Exploring Latin America and the Caribbean Countries and participants of the 2026 Poverty Alleviation Challenge Program are required to attend in person. Other interested participants are welcome to join.
Lecture Content
This lecture will focus on poverty and development issues in Brazil, featuring scholars from the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro and speakers from Vale S.A. The discussion will explore the historical trajectory of poverty in Brazil, structural inequality, and development challenges, combining academic research with corporate practices to examine experiences and pathways of poverty reduction and sustainable development in Global South countries.
The lecture will include:
l Paula Carvalho, Associate Researcher at the National Institute of Science and Technology in Public Policy, Strategy and Development (INCT-PPED), Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, will deliver a presentation titled “Trajectory and Determinants of Poverty in Brazil,” analyzing the evolution of poverty in Brazil and its major determinants.
l Carla Vimercate, Social Responsibility Analyst at Vale S.A., and Vitor Libanio, Manager of Combating Extreme Poverty at Vale S.A., will present “Together Against Poverty - Experiences of Multidimensional Family Support in Brazil,” sharing Vale’s practical experiences in multidimensional family support and extreme poverty alleviation initiatives in Brazil.
By integrating academic perspectives with corporate case studies, this lecture aims to provide students and young participants interested in Global South development issues with an opportunity for in-depth and interdisciplinary exchange.
Keynote Speaker
CHEN Taotao
Professor of Finance, Tsinghua University School of Economics and Management
Director, Tsinghua University Latin America Center
Director, Center for China–Latin America Management Studies
Paula Carvalho
Associate Researcher at the National Institute of Science and Technology for Public Policy, Strategy and Development (INCT-PPED). She holds a Ph.D. and a Master’s degree in Economics from the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ), a Master’s degree in Business Economics from Université Pierre Mendès-France in France, and a Bachelor’s degree in Economics from the University of São Paulo. Her research interests include development strategies, China’s development path, and macroeconomic policy.
Carla Vimercate
Carla Vimercate holds a degree in Social Communication – Public Relations from State University of Rio de Janeiro (UERJ), and a postgraduate degree in Educommunication – Education, Media and Communication from University of São Paulo (USP). Throughout her professional career, she has focused on the development and management of social impact projects, particularly those aimed at poverty reduction.
She currently serves as a Social Responsibility Analyst at Vale S.A., where she is part of the team developing Vale’s strategy to help lift 500,000 people out of extreme poverty by 2030, especially in northern Brazil and the Amazon region.
Her areas of expertise include collaboration with public authorities and social organizations in poverty alleviation initiatives, as well as project implementation in the states of Pará and Maranhão, covering urban, rural, and remote areas such as Breves on Marajó Island in northern Pará.
Vitor Libânio
Vitor Libânio currently serves as Manager of Combating Extreme Poverty at Vale S.A., one of Brazil’s leading mining companies.
He has more than 15 years of experience in the social development field, with a focus on operational impact management, community relations, and private social investment. His professional background is closely connected to the implementation of large-scale industrial and infrastructure projects, including ports, railways, mines, and other major developments, where he has acted as a bridge between companies and local communities.
Over the course of his career, he has collaborated with major companies and initiatives including Vale (Steel, HR Foundation, Mining and Logistics), Shell (LiveWire Brazil), Votorantim (ReDes Program), Carrefour, Samarco, Baosteel-CSV, ThyssenKrupp-CSA, and EBX Group.
His main areas of expertise include: Corporate sustainability (human rights, social dialogue, impact management, and social & environmental investment), Entrepreneurship and income generation, Business management (finance, negotiation, and human resources)
