Guilherme Thudium

2022 IVLP Impact Award Project: Federalism in Times of CrisisBrazil

Guilherme Thudium holds a Ph.D. in Strategic and International Studies from the Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, in Brazil, as well as a master’s degree in Political Science from the same institution. Guilherme is a Law major specializing in International Law and International Relations. Additionally, he was a visiting scholar at the University of Würzburg, Germany. He has experience working alongside full professors, diplomatic and military personnel, state deputies, federal judges, and a former member of the Federal Senate in Brazil. From 2020 to 2022, he held the presidency of the South American Institute for Politics and Strategy, the largest independent think tank focused on research, teaching, and consulting in the fields of Strategic Studies and International Relations in southern Brazil. 

IVLP Impact Award Project: Federalism in Times of Crisis

The project provided comparative legal and public policy expertise on federalism and democracy for decision-makers in Rio Grande do Sul, the southernmost state in Brazil. To this end, it developed alongside the Legislative Assembly of Rio Grande do Sul, which has 55 state deputies elected by proportional representation, the Brazil-U.S. Parliamentary Front, and congress people from the Brazilian Democratic Movement. Through its state and federal deputies, the knowledge produced by the project reached up to 135 mayors, 1,156 local councilors, and 262,000 affiliates, of which 113,000 are women. The work plan consisted of analyzing the evolution of federalism in Brazil and the United States with a case study on Germany as an in-between model. This project took place through interviews, workshops and a short course in order to foment public policies and better understand the changing dynamics and challenges to the federalist system.

This project analyzed the evolution of federalism in Brazil, Germany, and the United States by organizing interviews and workshops to better understand the challenges of a federalist system. Additionally, the project organized a short course on federalism, which commissioned top-tier experts in the field to address important themes such as fiscal federalism, public management and diplomacy. 400 citizens participated in the virtual and in-person workshops and the project also circulated within the South American Institute for Politics and Strategy’s network.  

Check out his project here: Projeto Federalismo, Brasil - YouTube

"The content is excellent for everyone who seeks qualified political education, be that the decision-makers or civil society, as it impacts everyone's daily life on issues such as the economy, health, housing, transport, infrastructure, leisure, and the environment." - Project Participant

IVLP Exchange Experience 

Guilherme was a participant in the IVLP Project Promoting a Prosperous, Safe and Democratic Future organized by the U.S. Department of State and Meridian International Center.

Guilherme's exchange experience led to the development of his IVLP Impact Award Project: "If we can agree on the need for a more egalitarian, sustainable and peaceful world, the future of enterprise will also have to be socially oriented. And for what I can attest, the IVLP program is positively shaping the next generation of social entrepreneurs to face the most pressing challenges of our time."

U.S. Communities Visited Virtually

Denver, CO; Washington, DC; Miami, FL; Boston, MA

Country: Brazil

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