Projovem Urbano de Juiz de Fora: implementação e percepções dos atores sobre o programa

Abstract

This research aimed to analyze the implementation of Projovem Urban Program in Juiz de Fora and know who the young man who finds what are their perceptions and other actors on it. It was intended to also verify that the program contributes, according to the young people themselves, to change their employment and academic life. We have adopted the "youth" concept that was constructed by social research authors such as Pais, Abramo, Dayrell and Novaes. This concept expands the definition of youth to factor in differences in gender, race, location, social class and, in doing so, broadens the manner in which we classify persons as being young. As a secondary reference to our main thesis, we also utilize the works of Martins, Castells, Castel and Dubet. The theoretical / methodological approach adopted in this research utilize the principles of the Quantitative and Qualitative research model. First, their was an evaluation of official documents related to all aspects of administration of Projovem Urban. Secondly, we submitted a questionnaire with closed questions to young persons that participated in this program from 2012 to 2013. From this questionnaire we selected seven subjects for a semi-structured interview. Additionally, we interviewed the executive body and educators of Provojem. Based on an analysis of the questionnaire and interviews, the results showed that the program successfully fulfilled its primary purpose; facilitating the educational abilities of young people in order for them to complete their secondary education. The results highlighted the crucial emphasis that the program places in helping young people foster urgent, ambitious and positive attitudes about their future. The results of our study also showed that the positive outcome of the program also stemmed from the manner in which disciplines were integrated and the fact that the educators were appointed by teachers and fellow graduates of the program. There were some limitations of the program however. Due to limitations of human and financial resources the program is it currently exists can not help a much larger number of economically and socially disadvantaged young people that could greatly benefit from its services. These limitations are due to a government policy that required that the program be operated by local municipalities which resulted in substantial administrative difficulties. Nonetheless, the nature of the work being done in Provojem and the positive results it generates presents an important advance in public policy studies pertaining to youth development.