The Brazilian Superior War College (ESG) and the William J. Perry Center for Hemispheric Defense Studies (WJPC) of the United States signed a Memorandum of Understanding between the two institutions on June 14, in Rio de Janeiro. The document will serve to further develop academic, cultural and cooperative exchange programs.

Representing their respective Institutions for the signing ceremony were ESG Commander Admiral Alipio Jorge Rodrigues da Silva, Perry Center Director LTG (ret.) Frederick S. Rudesheim, Ambassador Liliana Ayalde, and ESG Sub-commander Major Brigadier of the Air Leonidas de Araújo Medeiros Júnior.

In speaking, Lieutenant General Rudesheim stressed the unity of effort for advancement and development between the two countries. “What we are looking for is what Brazil also seeks, this is the start of a collaborative initiative. We are here as a center of dialogue to join efforts and reinforce ties with a country specifically as important as Brazil.”

Ambassador Ayalde reinforced the importance of this new stage in the relationship between Brazil and the United States. “We have much in common, including challenges, which become increasingly difficult, complex and borderless. That’s why it’s important to have a diversity of thinking in order to better confront them” said the Ambassador.

With the Memorandum of Understanding, the institutions aim to establish closer working relations in the research and application of scientific knowledge in the areas of study of Security, Defense, War and Peace.

The Army Military Assistant to the ESG Commander, Brigadier General Marco Antonio Martin da Silva, also gave an institutional speech to present the structure of ESG to the members of the Perry Center. The Perry Center delegation was also represented by Dr. Scott Tollefson, COL (ret.) Patrick Mathes, Dr. Luis Bitencourt, Ms. Celina Realuyo, Dr. Boris Saavedra and Ms. Kara O’Ryan.