Sérgio Fausto
Executive Director, Fundação Instituto Fernando Henrique Cardoso
A key advisor to former President Fernando Henrique Cardoso, Sérgio Fausto is one of Brazil’s leading political analysts. He is a regular columnist for the daily O Estado de São Paulo and a member of a group of experts linked to the Foreign Affairs Institute of the University of São Paulo (GACINT/USP) and contributes regularly to local media. At Fundação Instituto Fernando Henrique Cardoso (iFHC), Fausto is working to strengthen a network of Latin American institutions committed to enhance the quality of democracy in the region thorough civic and intellectual engagement. He has assumed a leadership role in Plataforma Democrática, an initiative that supports more than 30 associated institutions by fostering pluralistic debate on the social and political transformations of the Latin American region and the world.
Previously, Fausto was the programs director at iFHC. According to Fausto, he joined the Institute in 2003 to help bridge the gap between “the growing relevance and complexity of Brazil’s interconnectedness with world affairs and the relative scarcity of institutions dedicated to understanding them.” Fausto is working to ensure that Brazil plays a major role in strengthening democracy in Latin America and has a growing and constructive impact on global affairs both as a source of innovation in public policies and as an example of religious, ethnic and racial integration.
Fausto worked in three different ministries in the Cardoso administration between 1996 and 2002, including a position as advisor to the vice‐minister of finance. He earned his undergraduate degree in social sciences from the University of São Paulo.
Denis Mizne
Executive Director, Lemann Foundation
Denis Mizne’s innovative solutions to complex social problems in Brazil have made him a key leader in combating violence and mobilizing public opinion to make streets safer in his native country. Born and raised in São Paulo, Mizne founded the Sou da Paz (I am for Peace) campaign in 1997 to raise awareness about the alarming levels of gun violence particularly among youth. In partnership with key civil society organizations and with national media support, Mizne’s campaign collected nearly 2,000 guns within its first 12 days. In 1999, Mizne transformed Sou da Paz into a fully functional organization. Through his work at Sou da Paz, Mizne contributed to the approval of the “Disarmament Statute,” a globally recognized legislative act regulating guns. Sou da Paz has also led several violence prevention projects that were important to the 80 percent homicide reduction that took place in São Paulo over the last decade.
Mizne left his position as executive director of Sou da Paz after 12 years to lead Jorge Paulo Lemann’s foundation, an NGO dedicated to improving the quality of public education in Brazil. As executive director, Mizne oversees a series of initiatives dedicated to improving education management, training teachers, and supporting innovation in education. The foundation also supports a broad fellowship program in partnership with key US academic institutions and helps create networks of talented professionals that can cross‐collaborate on shaping the future of Brazil. In the next 10 years, Mizne hopes there will be a network of over 500 well‐trained workers making a difference to society in Brazil.
Mizne is a member of the steering committee of the International Arms Trade Treaty, an Ashoka Social Entrepreneur (2006), and a Yale World Fellow (2007). He earned his degree in law from the University of São Paulo Law School.
