Davi Augusto Oliveira Pinto’s journey in Brazil’s diplomatic service took him across the globe. His role as a diplomat for over twenty years provided him insights into the realities of various populations, shaping his fascination with economics and public administration.
Oliveira Pinto is currently dedicated to enhancing his diplomatic endeavors through his education at MIT. He completed the MITx MicroMasters program in Data, Economics, and Design of Policy (DEDP), collaboratively offered by MIT Open Learning and the Abdul Latif Jameel Poverty Action Lab (J-PAL), and subsequently applied and gained admission to the DEDP master’s program within MIT’s Department of Economics.
“I believe governments should provide data-driven, research-backed services to their constituents,” he notes. “As I return to my role as a diplomat, I aim to leverage the skills I gained in the DEDP program to enhance my service as a public servant.”
Oliveira Pinto represented Brazil at the World Trade Organization (WTO), assisted Brazilian citizens and businesses overseas, and fostered relations with governments in South Africa, Argentina, Italy, Spain, and Uruguay. He witnessed how economic inequalities could impact legislation and individual lives. He advocates for a nonpartisan approach to public service, producing and disseminating policies based on peer-reviewed data and research to benefit as many individuals as possible.
“We require public policy informed by evidence and science, not by politics and ideology,” he asserts. “My time at MIT bolstered my belief that diplomacy should unite individuals from diverse backgrounds and develop collaborative solutions for our shared challenges.”
As someone tasked with tackling international trade matters who understands the potential detrimental effects of poorly researched policies, Oliveira Pinto viewed MIT and its renowned economics programs as potentially transformative tools to further his endeavors.
Advocacy and economics
Growing up in Minas Gerais, Brazil, Oliveira Pinto became aware of the country’s history of economic cycles fueled by the export of commodities like minerals and coffee. He also observed what he referred to as Brazil’s “perpetual state of development,” where large segments of the population faced hardships, and quickly recognized the effects of issues like inflation and unemployment on the nation.
“I believed that studying economics could assist in resolving the issues I encountered during my upbringing,” he reflects.
Oliveira Pinto obtained an undergraduate degree in economics from Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais and a master’s degree in public policy from Escola Nacional de Administração Pública.
His personal experiences and dedication to understanding and bettering the lives of fellow Brazilians inspired him to enroll in the Instituto Rio Branco, Brazil’s diplomatic training institution, where he received instruction across various disciplines. “I was compelled to explore inequality between nations, which led to my diplomatic vocation,” he recounts. “I worked to support Brazilian migrants abroad, promoted the exports of Brazilian businesses, represented Brazil at the WTO, and assisted with pandemic-related aid in impoverished border towns in Brazil.”
During the pandemic, Oliveira Pinto became interested in the DEDP MicroMasters program. He reviewed fundamental economics principles, enhanced his skills in data synthesis and interpretation, and honed his analytical abilities. “My favorite course, Data Analysis for Social Scientists, emphasized the crucial need for accurate data interpretation in a world overflowing with information,” he remembers.
The online program also provided a chance for him to apply for in-person study. Now at MIT, Oliveira Pinto is completing his degree with a capstone project centered on how J-PAL collaborates with governments to promote the scaling of evidence-informed policies.
J-PAL’s research center and network have cultivated long-term partnerships with governmental agencies worldwide to generate data from randomized evaluations and integrate these findings into policymaking. They closely collaborate with policymakers to shape anti-poverty initiatives to enhance their effectiveness, an area of special interest to the Brazilian diplomat.
“I’m striving to comprehend how J-PAL’s partnerships in these regions are functioning, what lessons can be gleaned from successes, challenges encountered, and how we can efficiently scale successful programs,” he explains.
Inside and beyond MIT
Oliveira Pinto was embraced by a vibrant, diverse community in Cambridge, a journey that was both enriching and demanding. “My family and I found a home here,” he observes, noting that many Brazilians reside in the area, “and it’s humbling to see so many individuals from my country working diligently to establish their lives in the U.S.”
Oliveira Pinto highlights that collaborating closely with members of the MIT community was a significant attraction of the DEDP master’s program. “The opportunity to build connections with peers and faculty while learning from Nobel laureates and esteemed researchers and practitioners is incredible,” he notes. Engaging with individuals from a variety of professional and experiential backgrounds was particularly rewarding.
He specifically commended MIT’s support for his family, describing it as “especially gratifying.” “MIT offers numerous activities for families,” he shares. “My wife and three daughters have benefitted from the support the Institute provides.” While they took advantage of their time in the U.S. to visit Canada and Washington, D.C., they also made the most of their stay in Cambridge. The family enjoyed activities such as sailing, swimming, yoga, sports, pottery, lectures, and more as Davi pursued his studies. “The facilities are outstanding,” he adds.
Assessing and quantifying impact
Oliveira Pinto’s research has uncovered intriguing insights. “Data can indeed be misappropriated,” he remarks. “I discovered how easily data can convey various narratives, making it essential to be cautious and rigorous when evaluating different statements.” He recalls how, during an econometrics class, he learned about opposing groups on a health insurance issue pursuing vastly different objectives using the same dataset, each side advocating differing perspectives.
Oliveira Pinto believes his education has enhanced his capabilities as a diplomat, which is one reason he eagerly anticipates returning to public service. “I will re-enter government armed with the skills the DEDP program and the research from my capstone project have equipped me with,” he states. “My role as a diplomat involves seeking opportunities to connect with diverse individuals, investigating diligently, and finding shared interests,” for which his DEDP MicroMasters and master’s studies have suitably prepared him.
Upon completing his capstone, Oliveira Pinto aims to extract lessons from J-PAL’s collaborations with governments to enhance the quality of life for constituents. He is assisting in generating case studies that may encourage future partnerships between researchers and the public sector.
“Efforts like this can serve as a valuable opportunity for governments seeking a research-supported, data-driven approach to policymaking,” he concludes.