Instituto de Estudos Empresariais - History

History

In 1984, Brazil went through a historic process of political opening. Military leaders who had governed the country since 1964 gave way to re-democratization. Citizens and civil organizations pressed for a fast return to democracy and called for a new Constitutional Assembly to establish a new institutional order. Proposals from different perspectives were put forward, but leftist movements made their suggestions echo loudest.

At that time, a group of young businessmen in the city of Porto Alegre, who were pursuing their professional training and who did not agree with the ideological position that prevailed in the Brazilian political and business environment, decided to establish a study group, a place for debate and intellectual growth guided by values such as responsibility, property, freedom, order, justice, democracy, and a market economy. This is how IEE was established, with the mission of educating business leaders who are committed to a model of social and political organization based on the aforementioned values.

These young people called for re¬democratization as part of a broader argument in favor of economic open¬ness, the establishment of strong and adequate institutions, and a freer and more prosperous society. After many meetings to define how the institute would be organized, IEE’s founders concluded that the focus should be on the training and education of their own members, turning into an Academy, thereby creating leaders who would be intellectually prepared with broad social knowledge and strong ethical values to make a positive impact on society.

IEE members can be either permanent or honorary. Permanent members are young entrepreneurs aged 20 to 35 who identify with the values of the institute and who are being trained. Honorary members, having already been through the training cycle, counsel and support the training of those who are younger.