After coming 4th in the Rio 20+ competition, and thanks to generous sonsorship from the Newcastle University Business School, I am in Sao Paulo getting ready to start day three of work experience at Linhas Comunicacao PR company.
I am writting my blog over breakfast at my hotel with many business travelers sitting around me doing work and reading newspapers over breakfast. This is a great insight into life as an international business professional – and I am enjoying it!
Sitting in the food court at Rio Centro – the hub of Rio+20 – grabbing a quick bite to eat, taking some time to process my thoughts.
The last few days have been great. I must say a special thanks to the Planet Earth Institute for funding this trip for me – it has been an invaluable experience to be here and participate in the conference.
Its the 21st already?!
I hardly know where the time has gone!
So much has happened in the last few days – here are a few worth a mention:
First impressions: Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday
Late on Monday evening I arrived in Brazil on my School of Civil Engineering and Geosciences (CEGs) sponsored trip to the Rio+20 conference on sustainable development.
Tuesday we made our way to the conference centre which took a huge amount of time. After what must have been about 2 hours we got there and did our accreditation and met the rest of the PEI team, including a few of the GSC (Global Scientific Committee) members.
The first impression that one gets is the scale of this operation. 50,000 registered delegates all bustling about in a conference centre that comprises 5 buildings, each the size of the Newcastle Metro Radio Arena, one just for the food court. There there are the side pavilions too.
Brazil is breathtaking.
Thanks to generous sponsorship from the Planet Earth Institute, I arrived in Rio last Wednesday night (13th) and have spent a wonderful few days enjoying the Brazilian way of life – the beach, the food, the people and all the wonderful sights. Corcovado (Christ the Redeemer) was a particular highlight – what a privilege to be here!