EMBARQ Brazil’s Director Toni Lindau receives Brazilian Presidential Medal of Honor in Minas Gerais
Lindau received the Kubitschek Medal of Honor for EMBARQ Brazil's work on the Belo Horizonte's Bus Rapid Transit project. Photo by Mariana Gil/EMBARQ Brazil.
The award recognizes EMBARQ Brazil’s work in partnership with the city of Belo Horizonte
On Wednesday, September 12th, EMBARQ Brazil’s Director, Dr. Luis Antonio Lindau, was awarded the President Juscelino Kubitscheck Medal of Honor, by the Governor of Minas Gerais, Antonio Anastasia, and the former president’s daughter, Maria Estela Kubitschek. The award is named for President Kubitschek, who, among other things, is credited with envisioning and building the city of Brasilia. Lindau received the award in recognition of EMBARQ Brazil’s work to improve public transport in the city of Belo Horizonte.
Lindau was named to receive one of the most notorious state honors by the governor of the State of Minas Gerais and the mayor of Belo Horizonte, Marcio Lacerda, in recognition to EMBARQ Brazil’s work in partnership with BHTrans – the public organization responsible for transport services in Belo Horizonte. EMBARQ has worked on the project since 2010, aiding with BRT project development in the state capital, which will be launched early next year.
About 60% of EMBARQ Brazil’s recommendations on the Road Safety Audit reports were accepted by the city. Thanks to EMBARQ’s work, the Belo Horizonte high capacity bus system will be safer for the population.
"I welcome this Medal of Honor with huge satisfaction as recognition for the work developed by the EMBARQ Brazil team with BHTrans in the past years to implement a high quality BRT system in Belo Horizonte,” said Lindau as he accepted the award. “It’s been such a pleasure to work in partnership with a city like Belo Horizonte, whose Mayor prioritizes sustainable transport and urban mobility with the competent technical BHTrans staff. I appreciate the honor and assure you that we will keep working to improve the quality of life for the welcoming people of Minas Gerais", thanked Lindau.
The traditional ceremony that honors the former President occurs every September 12th in Diamantina, Minas Gerais, hometown of Juscelino Kubitschek. President Kubitscheck envisioned Brasília and made it a reality in 1950. "Kubitschek led the most important structural changes in Brazilian history, especially on transport infrastructure and energy; he had those goals even before being President," said Geraldo Alckmin, governor of São Paulo and the speaker for the occasion.
The governor of Minas Gerais, Antonio Anastasia, granted the honor to 120 people and organizations that have provided relevant services to society, contributed to the improvement of governmental organizations, and aided the City, State or Country development.
EMBARQ Brasil and Belo Horizonte: a partnership for sustainability
Lindau received the Juscelino Kobitschek Medal of Honor as the result of extensive work between the City of Belo Horizonte and EMBARQ Brazil. Since the Memorandum of Understanding signature in 2010, EMBARQ Brazil has worked to improve the city’s public transport system in more sustainable ways. The most significant changes include:
- BRT Simulator: In 2011 the SimBRT, a simulation software of BRT systems, was used to test and improve the functioning of the Antonio Carlos corridor located at the central part of the city, next to Rotor do Hipercentro. The corridor will be 16 km and must cope with a maximum demand of 20,000 passengers per hour in both directions. LEARN MORE
- Road Safety Audits: Supported by Bloomberg Philanthropies, EMBARQ Brazil provided technical assistance through Road Safety Audits in the city’s corridor projects. 60% of EMBARQ’s recommendations were followed. The measure is a fundamental step to reduce risk of collisions and save lives. LEARN MORE
- Marketing Workshop: Between October 31 and November 1st, 2011, EMBARQ Brazil and BHTrans gathered 140 participants to hear and debate marketing approaches for BRT systems. The lectures highlighted successful marketing campaigns, and were taught by experts from Brazil, Mexico, Colombia and the United States. The workshop was broadcast on twitcam @EMBARQBrasil, which brought the live participation of citizens on-line. LEARN MORE
- Strategic Alignments: Since the Memorandum of Understanding in 2010, EMBARQ Brazil promotes meetings with the team responsible for the BRT system implementation in Belo Horizonte. The goal is to gather technical operators and project managers to review risks and opportunities and reorder strategies for the project execution. LEARN MORE
- Study of Personal Exposure: In November 2011, EMBARQ Brazil conducted a study of personal exposure to fine particulate matter (PM2.5) and nitrogen dioxide in Paraná and Santos Dumont Avenues, the central area of the state capital where there will be BRT corridors. The data collected will be compared to the future assessment to be held in the same locations and survey period. LEARN MORE
- Road Safety Audit Workshop: Supported by EMBARQ Brazil, the Secretary of Health and BHTrans conducted the Road Safety Audit workshop with the Danish consultant Carsten Wass. The event marked the official opening of the state capital’s actions integrated to the UN’s Decade of Action for Road Safety, launched in May 2011. LEARN MORE
- Safety First : In a task force to reduce the number of bus incidents, EMBARQ Brazil, EMBARQ Mexico, and SIBRT sent out a survey on agencies and transport operators in Belo Horizonte regarding best practices for road safety. Safety First project, funded by FedEx, aims to stimulate concern about road safety, improving internal management and driver training to reduce the number of incidents involving buses in Latin American countries. LEARN MORE
The Juscelino Kubitschek Medal of Honor
The President Juscelino Kubitschek Medal, created on September 5, 1995, honors the former President of Brazil born in Diamantina. The Medal is granted by the State of Minas Gerais on September 12th, Kubitschek’s birthday. This is one of the most important state awards for honoring the legacy of one of the most important public men in Brazil’s history. Kubitschek passed away on the August 22, 1976, in a car accident.
At the solemnity, the Governor was accompanied by Juscelino’s daughter, Maria Estela Kubitschek, who also grants the Medals. The ceremony is part of a week-long festival, which is finished with a Vesperata, a traditional performance at Quitanda Lake.
The individuals honored with the Kubitschek Medal are chosen by a council formed by members of the Legislative Assembly of Minas Gerais, the Court of Justice, the Secretary of State for Culture, the City of Diamantina, the House of Juscelino, the Kubitschek Institute and the family of the former president. The award has two degrees: “Great Merit” for heads of executive, legislative and judicial branches, and “the Medal of Honor,” for other leaders and visionaries.
Among the individuals who have already received the honor are Oscar Niemeyer, Itamar Franco, Aécio Neves, Dorival Caymmi, and Carlos Arthur Nuzman.
Lindau joins this list of distinguished men and women who have fought for the improvement of Brazil’s society.