Brazil’s Age Pyramid 2007 and 2030 2007 2030 years (age) +100 95-99 90-94 85-89 80-84 75-79 70-74 65-69 60-64 55-59 50-54 45-49 40-44 35-39 30-34 25-29 20-24 15-19 10-14 5-9 0-4 20 15 10 Million 5 5 10 15 20 Million Source: IBGE and United Nations. Education is the basic pillar for the construction of a more fair, developed and fraternal society, where citizenship may be fully practiced. In accordance with guidelines provided in Article 205 of the Federal Constitution6, the country has invested significantly in educational projects that allow the Brazilian citizen to take a more critical stance facing the challenges of the 21st century. The situation of Brazil’s education has shown significant improvement in the last decades: there was a major fall in the illiteracy rate, and a steady increase in high school education and school attendance7. In this new century, a new social, political and economic environment has shown that proficiency in education is fundamental for the development of the country. Art. 205 of the Federal Constitution states that: “Education, which is the right of all and duty of the state and of the family shall be promoted and fostered with the cooperation of society, with a view to the full development of the person, his preparation for the exercise of citizenship and his qualification for work.” 6 7 IBGE — Synthesis of Social Indicators 2002 and, Ministry of Education, School Census 2010. DEFENSE WHITE PAPER 25 CHAPTER 1 — THE BRAZILIAN STATE AND NATIONAL DEFENSE period where fecundity is at lower levels; the population does not show expressive aging, and, simultaneously, presents an increase in the economically active segment of society. Therefore, Brazil is now in a privileged situation to benefit from the opportunities produced by change in the international environment.