Former president, Fernando Henrique Cardoso, to receive Library of Congress Kluge Prize

The former president of Brazil (1995-2002), Fernando Henrique Cardoso, will receive the John W. Kluge Prize tomorrow in Washington. The prize awards recipients one million dollars for lifetime achievement characterized by “…work of the highest quality and greatest impact in areas that advance understanding of the human experience.” The prize is administered by the Kluge Center in the l.ibrary of Congress and will be given to Fernando Henrique by the Librarian of Congress, James A. Billington, because of his role in the recent political and economic history of Latin America both as a scholar and politician.

In a note on the award, the Library of Congress cites Fernando Henrique’s professional engagement with questions ranging from slavery in Brazil (he wrote a book in 1962 on the subject) and economic dependence in emerging countries and their integration into a global economy (Dependência e Desenvolvimento na América Latina, written with Enzo Faletto, published in 1969). The citation goes on to say “…the biggest proof of his intellectual achievement is that his successors have continued many of his policies, ensuring that he will be remembered as one of Brazil’s greatest leaders.”

Today, at the age of 81, Fernando Henrique is a council member of the Fernando Henrique Cardoso Institute and the honorary president of the PSDB political party that he helped found in the 1980s when Brazil’s present constitution was promulgated. He has written more than 20 books and hundreds of articles. He still writes for Brazilian newspapers.