Memorandum of Understanding on Education Between the Government of the United States of America and The Government of the Federative Republic of Brazil

Bearing in mind the objectives of the Agreement effected by exchange of Notes on the Education Commission for Educational Exchange and Financing of Exchange Programs and the Agreement between the United States of America and the Federative Republic of Brazil relating to Cooperation in Science and Technology, have decided, through this Memorandum of Understanding, to continue the "Partnership for Education" that was launched on October 14, 1997, under the following terms:

1. The Parties intend to continue to enhance and expand cooperative efforts in education based on the following guidelines:

a) activities under this Memorandum are to be conducted in accordance with the constitutions and applicable laws and regulations of the Parties, and are to be subject to the availability of appropriated funds in the respective countries. Within this framework, the Parties are to make every effort to promote favorable conditions for the fulfillment of this cooperation and these exchanges, and

b) the Parties intend to focus cooperation on the topics and activities outlined in the Annex. New areas for cooperation may be identified, as they deem appropriate, to strengthen or expand existing programs. The Annex can be modified with additional topics and activities decided upon by the Parties in accordance with the objectives of the Memorandum.

2. In carrying out this Memorandum, the Parties in particular intend to:

a) encourage and facilitate closer relationships between their respective federal, state and local education agencies and offices, schools and school systems, post-secondary institutions, appropriate educational organizations, other educational entities, and private sector establishments involved in education in the two countries, and

b) encourage mutually beneficial educational activities involving policy makers, researchers, scholars, faculty members, teachers, educational administrators and other specialists.

3. The executive agency of the Federative Republic of Brazil with primary responsibility for implementing this Memorandum is the Ministry of Education, in consultation with the Ministry of External Relations. The United States of America executive agency with primary responsibility for implementing this Memorandum is the Department of Education, in consultation with the Department of State. Other agencies from either country may be invited to participate in this partnership as mutually decided through the appropriate diplomatic channels.

4. Unless otherwise decided, each Party is to bear the costs of its participation.

5. This Memorandum is effective upon signature and continues in effect until either Party chooses to terminate it, through diplomatic channels. Termination shall be effective six months after the date of written notification.

Signed at Washington on March 30^th, 2007, in duplicate, in the English and Portuguese languages, both texts being equally authentic.

A N N E X

Under this Memorandum of Understanding, the Parties plan to focus on one or more of the following themes:

1. Promoting Educational Excellence

2. Promoting Diversity and Equal Opportunity in Education

3. Assessment, Indicators and Accountability

4. Professional Development for Teachers and Administrators

5. Information and Communication Technologies applied to Education

6. Adult Literacy and Continued Education

7. Training and Technical and Vocational Education

8. Educational Technology

9. Environmental Education

10. Higher Education and Post-Graduate Cooperation and Mobility

11. Encouraging Family, Community, and Business Involvement in Education.