in recent years rio de janeiro has undergone a significant transformation, particularly in the areas of local economy, public life and safety. this has led to a renewed enthusiasm about the future of the city - the dilligient and combined efforts of people and government institutions have converted rio from a place subjected to incorrect and superficial interpretation, to a global role model for social integration and inspiring optimism.

one immediate and highly visible effect was the nomination of the city as world heritage site by UNESCO, and the invitation for the city to host major world events such as the world youth's day, rio +20, the 2014 soccer world cup, and the 2016 olympics.

not only do these events create jobs and attract investments, but they further motivate the locals and leave a legacy of enhanced and new infrastructures improving the quality of life of all cariocas, for the long term.

new major investments, innovative social policies, and the discovery of oil reserves in the last decade, have resulted in what many consider one of the golden decades of rio de janeiro.