Circular migration and the Internet: The role of social networks in the sociocultural context of Mexican residents in Barcelona

This work focuses on the study of the circular migration between America and Europe, particularly in the discussion about knowledge transfer and the way that social networks reconfigure the form of information distribution among people, that due to labor and academic issues have left their own country. The main purpose of this work is to study the impact of social media use in migration flows between Mexico and Spain, more specifically the use by Mexican migrants who have moved for  multiple years principally for educational purposes and then have returned to their respective locations in Mexico seeking to integrate themselves into the labor market. Our data collection concentrated exclusively on a group created on Facebook by Mexicans who mostly reside in Barcelona, Spain or wish to travel to the city for economic, educational or tourist reasons.  The results of this research show that while social networks are spaces for exchange and integration, there is a clear tendency by this group to "narrow lines" and to look back to their homeland, slowing the process of opening socially in their new context.

The Internet as opportunity and challenge in contemporary social movements

This paper explores the relationship between the rise of “new” social movements (15-M and Occupy) and the Internet. The new social media gives rise to new kinds of social movements  which embed this technology from the moment of conception. The future of social movements will be characterised by movinets, which will have the effect of developing new efficient ways of activism. The movinets, with their embedded technology and capacity to circulate ideas among different spheres of reality, have a potential to alter the dynamics of social mobilisation.

Democracy lessons in market-oriented schools : The case of Swedish upper secondary education

Based on recent ethnographic research, this article explores young people’s opportunities of formal and informal democracy learning and expressions of such learning in the highly market-influenced Swedish upper secondary education. With its ambitious democracy-fostering goals and far-reaching marketisation, Swedish education constitutes an interesting case in this respect. The analysis indicates that ‘voting with the feet’ emerges as an important way of exerting student influence. At the same time, young people’s voice is surprisingly neglected in classroom practice. Increased focus on performance and goal attainment tends to overshadow less ‘rewarding’ aspects of the curriculum, such as democracy teaching and learning, both from the side of teachers and students. Students are also increasingly expected to act as school representatives and to avoid giving negative impressions of their school.

Democratic Citizenship - A Conditioned Apprenticeship : A Call for Destabilisation of Democracy in Education

We live in times when the search for a citizenship education that can transcend national, ethnical and cultural borders is an important part of educational policy. In times of increased pressure by the European Union on its nation states to provide for nation-transcending democracy, this question becomes crucial for national policymaking in Europe. In this text, Swedish education policy will be taken as a case in point in order to shed light on how this question is being handled in this particular national policy setting. It is argued that the policy’s citizen fostering agenda tends to be counterproductive in the sense that it is still situated in national notions of the relationship between democracy and education, which tend to exclude certain individuals and groups of people on an age-related and (ethno) cultural basis. It is further argued that these excluding features can be related to educational ideas about socialisation. The aim of this text is underlined by suggesting a different way of framing democracy and democratic citizenship education: to increase the potential of education as regards the renewal of democracy and democratic citizenship.

Controle social do espaço público: uma análise do conselho turístico pólo costa das dunas

The managing Conselho of public politics constitute one of the main experiences of democracy in Brazil contemporary representing a conquest for construction of a democratic institutionalism. The historical newness consists of the intensification and the institutionalization of the dialogue between government and society - in public and plural canals - as condition for an allocation more efficient joust and of the public resources. In this context the present study it objectified to understand from readings of the performance of represented group of bencheses the dynamics of functioning of the Tourist Conselho Pólo Costa das Dunas while space of participation and social control. The bibliographical research contemplated diverse sources in order to compile knowledge of credential authors in the quarrel of inherent subjects to the civil society and the public sphere to the construction of the citizenship to the conception formation and dynamics of the social control through Conselho of public politics. A qualitative perspective the case study was adopted as research method and for attainment of the data interviews with the members of the Conselho had been carried through beyond consultation the referring documents the dynamics of functioning of the Conselho. The profiles capacities and limitations of the members of the Conselho had been identified constitution social and dynamic organization of functioning of the Conselho and the readings of the members of the Conselho concerning the power to decide instances and participation. The results had shown that the allotment of being able in the Conselho does not occur of equal form. The functions of coordination of the activities of the Conselho are assumed by the representatives of the public agencies. Level of qualification of council members also if presents as difficulty to development of activities of Conselho since the majority of the interviewed ones disclosed unreliability and unfamiliarity when thematic specific that runs away from its organizacional reality they are boarded in the assemblies. Of this form the Conselho if presents more as half of institutional legitimation of what half of characterization of the creation of a public sphere properly said. Finally he could himself be concluded that a democratic culture inexists that inside crosses practical the institutional ones of the Conselho thus limiting the possibility to reach the effective social control of the public politics of tourism in the Rio Grande do Norte

Economics for Substantive Democracy

In this paper, I sustain that the discourse of economics has become one of the most substantial contributors to the erosion of the democratic ideal. The first argument used in this case against economics concerns its attempt to be considered a neo- naturalistic science; the second, the fact that economics considers democracy contradictory to the expression of its scientific rationality and; the third, the fact that economics crowds out people from decision-making processes by pushing them into the hands of experts. Because partisan political programmes have essentially become economic programmes, economics should contribute to substantive democracy. In order to do so, an alternative discourse to mainstream economics must be proposed. An economics favourable to substantive democracy should, thereby, be political rather than naturalistic, pluralist rather than monist and, instead of crowding out people from decisions processes, should aim at the co-production of economic knowledge with those concerned by the outcome of economic decisions.

A visão social de mundo dos parâmetros curriculares nacionais em história para os anos finais do ensino fundamental

Os Parâmetros Curriculares Nacionais (PCNs) em História para os terceiro e quarto ciclos do ensino fundamental (atualmente anos finais), publicados pelo Governo Federal em 1998, traçaram as diretrizes e orientações específicas para esta área de ensino, dentro do novo contexto educacional consolidado pela Lei de Diretrizes e Bases da Educação Nacional de 1996 (LDBEN/96), refletido por sua vez pelo novo período de redemocratização constitucional iniciado em 1988 e em curso até os dias de hoje. Compreender a visão social de mundo preconizada no documento, com suas potencialidades (ou não) para o ensino de História em nosso País, através da análise dos aspectos historiográficos e educacionais que o formam, representa o objetivo central desta pesquisa, procurando – se identificar também os interesses e valores dos grupos sociais e culturais nele traduzidos. Dentro de uma perspectiva crítico-dialética, os referidos PCNs e suas implicações com as questões acima expostas só poderão ser investigadas em uma dimensão contextualizada com a sociedade brasileira contemporânea.

Content analysis model to analyze facets of social mission of public library on the Facebook and in the websites

In this paper we present the development and the implementation of a content analysis model for observing aspects relating to the social mission of the public library on Facebook pages and websites. The model is unique and it was developed from the literature. There were designed the four categories for analysis Generate social capital and social cohesion, Consolidate democracy and citizenship, Social and digital inclusion and Fighting illiteracies. The model enabled the collection and the analysis of data applied to a case study consisting of 99 Portuguese public libraries with Facebook page. With this model of content analysis we observed the facets of social mission and we read the actions with social facets on the Facebook page and in the websites of public libraries. At the end we discuss in parallel the results of observation of the Facebook of libraries and the websites. By reading the description of the actions of the social mission, the general conclusion and the most immediate is that 99 public libraries on Facebook and websites rarely publish social character actions, and the results are little satisfying. The Portuguese public libraries highlight substantially the actions in the category Generate social capital and social cohesion.

Controle social do espaço público: uma análise do conselho turístico pólo costa das dunas

The managing Conselho of public politics constitute one of the main experiences of democracy in Brazil contemporary representing a conquest for construction of a democratic institutionalism. The historical newness consists of the intensification and the institutionalization of the dialogue between government and society - in public and plural canals - as condition for an allocation more efficient joust and of the public resources. In this context the present study it objectified to understand from readings of the performance of represented group of bencheses the dynamics of functioning of the Tourist Conselho Pólo Costa das Dunas while space of participation and social control. The bibliographical research contemplated diverse sources in order to compile knowledge of credential authors in the quarrel of inherent subjects to the civil society and the public sphere to the construction of the citizenship to the conception formation and dynamics of the social control through Conselho of public politics. A qualitative perspective the case study was adopted as research method and for attainment of the data interviews with the members of the Conselho had been carried through beyond consultation the referring documents the dynamics of functioning of the Conselho. The profiles capacities and limitations of the members of the Conselho had been identified constitution social and dynamic organization of functioning of the Conselho and the readings of the members of the Conselho concerning the power to decide instances and participation. The results had shown that the allotment of being able in the Conselho does not occur of equal form. The functions of coordination of the activities of the Conselho are assumed by the representatives of the public agencies. Level of qualification of council members also if presents as difficulty to development of activities of Conselho since the majority of the interviewed ones disclosed unreliability and unfamiliarity when thematic specific that runs away from its organizacional reality they are boarded in the assemblies. Of this form the Conselho if presents more as half of institutional legitimation of what half of characterization of the creation of a public sphere properly said. Finally he could himself be concluded that a democratic culture inexists that inside crosses practical the institutional ones of the Conselho thus limiting the possibility to reach the effective social control of the public politics of tourism in the Rio Grande do Norte

Controle social e transparência : avaliação do modelo de acesso à informação no Brasil

O objetivo principal deste estudo é avaliar se as medidas e ações implementadas pelos governantes para aperfeiçoar o modelo de governança pública brasileiro estão contribuindo para elevar o nível de controle social e de transparência na administração pública. Pressupomos que a promoção da transparência e do acesso à informação é uma medida essencial para o fortalecimento do controle social e da democracia, e por decorrência, para a melhoria da qualidade da gestão pública. Trata-se de um artigo teóricoempírico e bibliográfico, apoiado nas abordagens das teorias da governança, neoinstitucional e da agência. A partir da literatura, relatórios e das normas legais, buscamos identificar inicialmente as motivações que levaram à adaptação e transferência das experiências da governança corporativa para o setor público. Realizou-se, ainda, uma pesquisa de campo para avaliar a qualidades das informações das despesas públicas disponibilizadas pelos portais de transparência dos 200 municípios mais populosos do país. Conclui-se, por fim, que ainda existem inúmeros desafios e obstáculos a serem superados nos âmbitos sociocultural e institucional. Essas dificuldades são agravadas por deficiências de competência e de valores éticos e morais dos governantes e políticos, essenciais para viabilizar uma boa governança pública, elevar a transparência e aumentar o controle social no Brasil. _______________________________________________________________________________________ ABSTRACT

Desafios de cuidar em serviço social : uma perspectiva crítica

Este artigo trata das relações entre cuidado, emancipação e Serviço Social, com o objetivo de uma reflexão crítica sobre uma temática que tem ficado obscurecida na discussão profissional. Faz uma análise do conceito de cuidado, enquanto ajuda, trabalho familiar da mulher e ação individual, para situá-lo no contexto das relações de poder, de descaso e abandono, próprio da sociedade capitalista. Considera o cuidar em uma perspectiva teórica e histórica democrática, exigindo a construção de valores éticos e de humanização da atenção profissional articulada à existência de suportes institucionais. Volta-se ao reconhecimento do outro como sujeito individual e coletivo de direitos, na efetivação de sua autonomia, da democracia e da cidadania no contexto da história social, e nas condições do sujeito combinando atenção às suas necessidades, às suas expressões e à inclusão social com valores éticos e processos de atuação profissional explicitados. __________________________________________________________________________________________________ ABSTRACT

Rede social de excelência: qualidade na participação institucional: O caso de Moura

O problema da falta de participação cívica é uma das condicionantes para o desenvolvimento local de qualquer território, pelo que devem ser estruturadas medidas e processos que facilitem e incentivem uma participação mais ativa, pautada por critérios de qualidade. É nesse sentido que o presente trabalho de investigação, tendo por base a aplicação de um inquérito por questionário a todos os dirigentes e técnicos envolvidos na Rede Social de Moura e a realização de uma sessão focus group com os membros do Núcleo Executivo, apresenta os processos de participação existentes e a desenvolver no programa e, desta forma, elabora um modelo de participação institucional de qualidade, com base nas orientações da ISO 9001 e respetivos oito princípios (enfoque no cliente, liderança, envolvimento dos colaboradores, abordagem por processos, abordagem sistemática da gestão, melhoria contínua, abordagem factual para a tomada de decisão e relações de mútuo beneficio com fornecedores). ABSTRACT: The problem of the lack of civic participation is one of the setbacks of local development in every territory, thus making it necessary to structure measures and processes to ease and encourage a more active participation, ruled by quality criteria. Taking that into consideration, this work of investigation, based on an inquiry of questions taken to all the directors and technicians involved in the Social Network of Moura, and a Focus Group session held with the members of the Executive Group, shows the existing levels of participation, as well as of those yet to develop, in the programme and therefore creates a model of institutional participation of quality, under the ISO 9001 directives and its eight principles (emphasis on the client, leadership, associate involvement, process approach, systematic approach of management, continuous improvement, factual approach on decision making and mutual benefit relationships with suppliers).

Ciudad Verde: una mirada desde el reconocimiento social hasta la diferenciación a través de los espacios

La presente monografía se refiere a la vida cotidiana de los residentes del macroproyecto de vivienda de interés social Cuidad Verde en el municipio de Soacha para comprender las formas de reconocimiento que se tejen entre los residentes, transeúntes y visitantes de la ciudadela. Asimismo, analiza los imaginarios espaciales para entender las relaciones sociales entre unos y otros, abordando al macroproyecto no sólo como un lugar físico sino como un espacio que permite reproducir estereotipos sociales, crear mecanismos de distinción, transformar las maneras de apropiación de la vivienda y tejer nociones de progreso a partir del lugar donde se vive.