The Brazil Institute invites you to the South Atlantic Security: Actors, Interests & Strategies Conference's Openning Keynote by Rear Admiral Flávio Augusto Viana Rocha.
Abstract
The South Atlantic is inherent to the very soul of Brazilian history and identity. In the first years of the struggle for independence, in the beginnings of the 19th century, it was the element that enabled the naval forces loyal to the central government to contribute decisively to avoid the disintegration of the new country. During the 20th century, it was the geographic setting in which Brazil, in support of its allies, played secondary, although important roles in the two World Wars. In the present century, it is useful to see how historical and new elements have helped to agglutinate the strategic relevance of the immense surrounding maritime areas in the concept of the ‘Blue Amazon’, which guides most of Brazil's strategic posture, supported by its Navy.
Biography
Rear Admiral Flávio Augusto Viana Rocha was born in Fortaleza, Ceará, Brazil. He graduated from the Brazilian Naval Academy in 1984, and was promoted to Rear Admiral in 2013. He was nominated to his current position in May of 2015.
Since graduating from the Naval Academy, Rear Admiral Rocha has since attended postgraduate courses in Naval Sciences and Senior Naval Policy & Strategy at the Brazilian Naval War College. He is also a postgraduate in Legislative Affairs (University of Brasilia) and Legislative Law (University of the Senate). Other credentials include the Submarine Command Course and Command & Staff Course (Brazilian Naval War College).
Some of his previous posts include Submarine Force Command, Instructor of Seamanship and Navigation at the United States Naval Academy in Annapolis, Parliamentary Advisor to the Commander of the Navy, Chief of Staff 5th Naval District, Deputy-Chief of Staff of the Commander of the Navy, and Head of Strategy, Naval Staff.
Rear Admiral Rocha holds three Commands at Sea: Patrol Ship Pirajá, South Naval Patrol Force, and the School Ship Brasil.