A/HRC/21/44 IV. Country study mission: Brazil 14. International solidarity is an elusive concept, and is particularly resistant to definition, rendering it almost an abstraction. But where it exists, it is unmistakeable, permeating thought and action, its effects observable. For this reason the Independent Expert is of the belief that her task of developing norms and standards for what will eventually lead to the formulation of a draft declaration of the right of peoples and individuals to international solidarity, calls for dialogue with States, United Nations and other international agencies, and as many stakeholders as possible. 15. Beyond this important consideration, it is critical to take into account the policy and actual practice of States which are vital conduits of international solidarity, and of international cooperation. The Independent Expert therefore considers that the most effective and appropriate way to understand policy on, and practice of, international solidarity is through empirical methods of study and observation on the ground. 16. The Independent Expert conducted her first official country study mission to Brazil from 25 to 29 June 2012, for the purpose of exchanging views with the Government and other actors, to gather information on the experiences of Brazil in international solidarity, including and in particular, in the context of its international cooperation activities. 17. The Independent Expert expresses her deep appreciation to the Government of Brazil for providing her the opportunity to observe and learn first-hand what she had only previously read and heard about regarding the ―solidarity diplomacy‖ of Brazil, which has generated a growing interest on the part of the international community. The study visit took place in the Brasilia, home to government ministries and agencies. She was also in Rio de Janeiro in the week previous to the country visit, to attend Rio+20, and she was able to intersperse her activities at the conference, with visits to a government institution and to a regional agency whose offices are based in Rio de Janeiro. 18. The Independent Expert valued the warm reception she received from the Government of Brazil and its institutions dealing with international cooperation, as well as its openness in discussing a range of topics relevant to her mandate. She notes with appreciation that while the government officials she met with expressed their pride, and rightfully so, when speaking of the numerous high profile achievements of Brazil, including the attainment of a number of Millennium Development Goals well before the deadline of 2015, they also readily acknowledged and identified the many difficulties and obstacles that remain to be addressed and surmounted. 19. During the country study mission, the Independent Expert met with officials of Government engaged in policy matters and activities in international cooperation. At the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Brasilia she met with the Director of the Brazilian Cooperation Agency (ABC); the Secretary for Cooperation and Trade Promotion; the Undersecretary General for Political Affairs I; the Undersecretary General for Policy II; the Director of the Department of the Environment and Special Themes; Director of the Department of Human Rights and Social Affairs; International Advisors at the Secretariat for Human Rights, Secretary for Policies for Promotion of Racial Equality and the Secretary for Policies for Women; the General Coordinator of International Actions against Hunger and his team; the Head of the Division of Educational Cooperation; the Head of the Division of Science, Technology and Innovation. 20. At government ministries in Brasilia, the Independent Expert met with the Secretary of Labour Inspection and her team; the General Coordinator for Cooperation of the Ministry of Health and his team; the Chief of the International Advisory Council, officials of the International Department of the Ministry of Social Development and Fight Against Hunger; officials of the Secretariat for Science and Technology and for Social Inclusion; 5