FGV’s 75th anniversary: a track record of commitment to Brazilian development

Rio de Janeiro, December 20, 1944. With the main goal of training professionals to work in public and private sector administration, Fundação Getulio Vargas was born. Today, the institution is proud that it has fulfilled this mission and promoted Brazil’s socioeconomic development decisively throughout its 75-year history.

“In 1944, as the winds of freedom and democracy swept the world, Brazil also had to modernize itself. And our foundation, established that year, immediately had to adapt to new conditions, as the ‘New State’ government regime was about to end. When this happened, in 1945, FGV, which had been set up under this regime, did not suffer. On the contrary, it enjoyed much more liberty. Luiz Simões Lopes was able to call on specialists of all ideologies, in all areas, to participate in the great adventure called Fundação Getulio Vargas,” notes FGV’s president, Professor Carlos Ivan Simonsen Leal.

This diversity formed an institution known for its excellence, which has withstood the various political and economic adversities that have marked Brazil’s history. Fundação Getulio Vargas has contributed to the country’s development through the educational activities, academic studies, empirical research and advisory projects conducted by its schools and units over the years, and the direct work done in the public sector by its alumni, professors and researchers.

FGV’s schools are leaders in their areas of activity. They are ranked at the top of the Brazilian Education Ministry’s General Course Index (IGC). Their undergraduate courses have the maximum possible score in the National Student Performance Exam (ENADE) and their master’s and PhD courses are highly rated by the Brazilian Education Ministry’s graduate education support agency, CAPES.

Not by chance, FGV has been considered the best think tank in Latin America for a decade and it is currently ranked sixth worldwide, according to the Global Go To Think Tanks Index, which is published annually by the University of Pennsylvania. This reflects the success of the foundation’s efforts to systematically improve its place in this ranking. Brazil is the only country that is not part of the group of large developed nations to have a representative among the world’s 10 best think tanks.

This history, which was initiated 75 years ago by Luiz Simões Lopes, FGV’s founder and first president (1944-1992), has involved some impressive numbers and the institution is a leader in the production of public goods for Brazil. At the moment, it produces more than 50 economic indexes and surveys, most of which are divulged monthly and have a major impact on people’s everyday lives. FGV also has more than 2 million documents and audiovisual files available for consultation free of charge and a large structure of excellence and quality encompassing 11 schools and 90 study centers. More than 90,000 students are currently taking FGV courses, on its own premises or at partner institutions, in more than 100 municipalities across Brazil. Around the world, it has over 200 partners, allowing the sharing of ideas, realities and cultures, and ensuring that FGV’s teaching is cutting edge and distinctive.

It is with this vigor that FGV is reaching its 75th anniversary. The foundation represents Brazil and its current situation. It is a living part of Brazil.