President stated that the tribute moved him more than others and that he will continue fighting for equality in the Global South
The president (PT) stated that he felt “equality” with the Mozambicans upon receiving, this Monday (24.Nov.2025), the title of Honorary Doctorate in Political Science, Development and International Cooperation from the Pedagogical University of Maputo, in Mozambique. In a speech, he said that the honor moved him more than other recognitions he has already received.
“I already have many honorary doctorate titles, but none have moved me like this one, because I don’t feel any difference here between you and me. I feel like we are the sames”, declared the president.
The PT member accumulates at least 40 honorary titles granted by Brazilian and foreign institutions – among them, the University of Coimbra, Sciences Po, in Paris, the Universidad Mayor de San Marcos, in Peru, and Brazilian institutions such as UFBA (Federal University of Bahia) and UFPE (Federal University of Pernambuco).
In a speech, Lula said that higher education symbolizes the strength of education as an instrument of transformation and cited Paulo Freire as a reference. He also stated that he prohibited, during his administration, talking about education as an expense. For him, teaching should always be treated as an investment.
“The obsession I have with education is because I didn’t have the opportunity to study. Therefore, when I took office as Presidency of the Republic in 2003, in my first ministerial meeting, I determined that it was forbidden to talk about spending on education“, these.
The PT member mentioned actions taken by his administration in the area, such as the creation of new universities, the expansion of the network of university hospitals and student retention initiatives, such as the Pé-de-Meia Program.
Ceremony awarding the title of Doctor Honoris Causa in Political Science, Development and International Cooperation by the Pedagogical University of Maputo
In a more political tone, Lula criticized inequalities and stated that he will continue to defend equal opportunities for low-income young people.
He declared that cooperation with African countries must prioritize sovereignty and the fight against hunger – a result of “fhigh of shame on the face of those who rule the world”.
According to him, “the Global South can no longer be a spectator” of decisions imposed by great powers.
“It will not be possible to fulfill any ideal of prosperity in a world where unilateralism and wars prevail. The Global South can no longer be a mere spectator of an international order that perpetuates historical injustices“he declared.
Agreements with Mozambique
During his official visit to Mozambique, Lula fulfilled an agenda aimed at strengthening bilateral cooperation with African countries – one of the declared priorities of his foreign policy. The meeting marks 50 years of relationship between the countries.
At the meeting in Maputo, Brazil and Mozambique signed 9 agreements in the areas of development, health, education and civil aviation. The Brazilian government also announced that it will offer, in 2026, 480 training places in agricultural and agricultural sciences for Mozambicans, as part of the effort to expand technical partnerships and encourage professional training in the African country.
