Born on March 2, 1941, in the city of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, the writer, journalist, radio broadcaster, composer, poet, and President of the Legion of Good Will (LGW), José de Paiva Netto, is member of the ABI (Brazilian Press Association), FENAJ (Brazilian Federation of Journalists), Academia de Letras do Brasil Central, Professional Journalists Syndicate, Writers Syndicate, Radio Broadcasters Syndicate, Brazilian Order of Journalists and UBC (Brazilian Union of Composers).
His childhood and youth were marked by an uncommon worry with philosophical, spiritual, social, political, scientific and economic themes and by a deep sense of assistance to the needy.

He studied in the traditional Colégio Pedro II, in the city of Rio de Janeiro, where he received the title of “Eminent Pupil”, receiving a bronze plaque at the headquarters of this respected Standard-School. In 1956, still young, left behind his vocation for medicine in order to dedicate himself to the LGW, starting his triumphant journey next to the late founder of the Institution, the Brazilian journalist, radio broadcaster, writer, poet, thinker and activist Alziro Zarur (1914-1979), being one of his main assessors during almost a quarter of a century.  Later on, became Secretary General of the LGW (position equivalent of the Vice-President), and with the death of Zarur, Paiva Netto became his successor.

President of the organization since 1979, Paiva Netto multiplied the LGW’s programs of Human, Social and Ed ucational Promotion with a growth over 150.000%.  He established in the Legion of Good Will the motto Education and Culture, Nourishment, Health and Work with Ecumenical Spirituality, mark of a gigantic community action that stands out by the high quality level in the assistance towards the needy population who lives in personal and social risk.  Today there are sections of assistance of the LGW spread throughout Brazil, such as schools of basic education; homes for children, adolescents and elderly; Community and Educational Centers; and socioeducational campaigns.

This work has no borders. It is also held in Argentina, Paraguay, Uruguay, Bolivia, Portugal and the United States, besides having correspondents around the world.  The LGW was the first Brazilian non-governmental organization to achieve at the UN general consultative status in the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC).  In 2000, it became part of the Conference of Non-Governmental Organizations with consultative relations with the United Nations (CONGO), in Vienna, Austria.

To diffuse all this ideal of Solidarity, Paiva Netto created the Super  Rede Boa Vontade de Rádio – RBV (Good Will Super Radio Network) and the Rede Mundial – A TV da Educação, da Cultura e da Cidadania Solidária com Espiritualidade Ecumênica! – RMTV (Rede Mundial – The TV of Education, Culture and Solidary Citizenship with Ecumenical Spirituality!).  He wrote several best sellers, with over 3 million copies sold.  About this aspect of his personality, the North American writer Errol Lincoln Uys observed: “Paiva Netto, being a practical man, nevertheless has a soul of a poet.”  According to the definition of the eminent professor, jurisconsult José Cretella Júnior, “Paiva Netto is a distinguished stylist, always up to date with the news.”  And in the opinion of the master of professors Moacir C. Lopes, “he is a writer of great talent.”