Convivência multicultural e desenvolvimento: a Práxis Encontro das Tribos Jovens (ETJ)

Abstract

The present study deals with the Praxis Encontro das Tribos Jovens, an experience of multicultural, citizen and democratic living together among different social groups, carried out by the Instituto Tribos Jovens and partner organizations on annual meetings realized between 1998 and 2004. It focuses the characterization of this Praxis and the process study of the personal and social development of teenagers and youths involved. The Praxis is mainly based on the fortication of identity processes and the enlargement of the repertoire of ancestral principles and values of population segments to which these youths belong, in plural societies where identity dinamics are shaped. For this, testimonies of the participants were gathered by the Sharing Circle, a millenariam native practice, and we proceeded to a qualitative analysis of the collected data, inspired on phenomenology. The participant observation also contributed to the analysis along the process, since subject and object of this research are mixed up. The analyses under the light of the structuring concepts showed that ths Praxis ETJ contributes with processes of personal and social development, having in view the accounts of concrete changes in the relations with others and the self, with family, school, community and society, and it stimulates the engagement in processes of transformation reality. It has been observed also the fortification of identities – personal, groupal, ethnic and cultural. Beyond the challenges implied in the very nature of this Praxis, it has been sought to contribute with the social management field in societies built upon diversities. From this perspective the Praxis Encontro das Tribos Jovens was identified by the participants as an innovative and creative methodology, built out of new point of views about artistic, cultural and educative experiences.