Overview
Title
Request for Applicants for Appointment to the United States-Brazil CEO Forum
Agencies
ELI5 AI
The U.S. and Brazil have a special group where three people from American companies can join to help make business better between the two countries. These people will work for free and will have to pay for their own travel costs if they join.
Summary AI
In 2007, the United States and Brazil created the U.S.-Brazil CEO Forum to strengthen trade relations between the two countries. The International Trade Administration is looking for up to three American CEOs to join the U.S. Section of this forum for a term lasting until February 24, 2022, with applications being accepted until November 30, 2021. Applicants must be U.S. citizens or authorized to work in the U.S., lead a U.S.-controlled company, and have a strong interest in Brazil's economy. Selected members participate without pay and cover their own travel expenses.
Abstract
In March 2007, the Governments of the United States and Brazil established the U.S.-Brazil CEO Forum. This notice announces the opportunity for up to three individuals for appointment to the U.S. Section of the Forum for a term ending on February 24, 2022. The current three-year term of the U.S. Section began on February 25, 2019 and will expire February 24, 2022. Nominations received in response to this notice will also be considered for on-going appointments to fill any future vacancies that may arise before November 30, 2021.
Keywords AI
Sources
AnalysisAI
The U.S.-Brazil CEO Forum, established in 2007 by the governments of the United States and Brazil, serves as a platform to enhance economic and commercial relations between the two nations. The International Trade Administration (ITA) of the U.S. Department of Commerce is currently seeking applications for up to three individuals to join the U.S. Section of the Forum. The term for these positions would ideally begin immediately and last until February 24, 2022. Applications are being accepted until November 30, 2021, for both immediate filling of vacancies and possible future openings.
Overview of the Document
The document outlines the objectives of the U.S.-Brazil CEO Forum, emphasizing the importance of private sector leadership in driving discussions that could strengthen ties between the two countries. The Forum is co-chaired by high-ranking officials from both governments and includes members from various sectors of the private industry who are tasked with providing recommendations on how to improve bilateral trade and economic cooperation.
Eligibility Criteria and Application Process
For those interested in joining the Forum, the criteria for eligibility are detailed: prospective members must be U.S. citizens or have legal authorization to work in the United States, serve in executive roles within U.S.-controlled businesses actively engaged in trade with Brazil, and demonstrate a profound commitment to Brazil’s market. Additionally, candidates must not be registered foreign agents.
The document specifies that members will be expected to cover their own travel costs and expenses related to Forum activities, highlighting a commitment requirement for frequent participation in meetings and other engagements.
Issues and Concerns
One of the notable issues with the document is the vagueness in some of its criteria. For instance, the requirement for candidates to show a "demonstrated commitment" to Brazil's market lacks specific details, leaving questions around what constitutes sufficient evidence of such commitment. Similarly, while the document mentions the need for diversity in representation across sectors and geography, it does not define what this diversity should look like or how it will be quantified or assessed.
Moreover, the stipulation that members cannot be registered foreign agents, while clear in intention, lacks guidance on how this will be enforced or verified. The absence of a transparent selection process raises concerns about how candidates will be evaluated and chosen to carry out the Forum's goals.
Impact on the Public and Stakeholders
From a broader perspective, this initiative appears to promote economic cooperation and development between two major economies, with potential benefits for businesses and consumers in both nations. A strengthened U.S.-Brazil trade relationship could result in increased economic activity and job creation.
However, specific stakeholders may view the requirement for members to bear their travel expenses as a barrier, potentially limiting participation from small businesses or those with fewer resources. These financial implications could inadvertently lead to a disparity in representation, elevating voices from larger, more affluent companies over a genuine cross-section of diverse American enterprises.
In conclusion, while the intention of fostering stronger U.S.-Brazil relations through the Forum is advantageous, the execution could benefit from clearer criteria, a more structured selection process, and considerations to ensure equitable and diverse representation of American businesses across all sizes and sectors.
Issues
• The eligibility criteria specify that candidates must not be registered foreign agents under the Foreign Agents Registration Act of 1938, but there is no mention of how this is verified.
• The document specifies that U.S. Section members should represent a diversity of business sectors and geographic locations, but it does not define what constitutes adequate diversity.
• The document requires members to have a 'demonstrated commitment by the individual's company to the Brazilian market,' but this criterion is somewhat vague and could benefit from further clarification on what qualifies as a demonstration of commitment.
• The document states that members 'may not be a registered foreign agent,' but it does not clarify if there is a process to challenge or verify compliance with this requirement if questions arise.
• The document mentions that members will be selected on the basis of who will best carry out the objectives of the Forum but does not outline a clear and transparent selection process.
• The document outlines that members are responsible for their own travel expenses, which could favor individuals or companies with more financial resources and exclude those with less capacity, potentially limiting diversity in representation.