Trabalho social útil como prática e forma de integração entre universidade e comunidades

Abstract

University extension is a topic widely debated in academic, social and political environments. However, there are different conceptions about it. In this sense, this research aimed to identify which concept of extension permeated the process that culminated with the construction of the Agrarian Reform Fair at UNICAP. To this end, the qualitative methodology was adopted, using at first the collection of information by documentary analysis in the final report of the 1st Forum of Local Development of Agreste de Pernambuco, in the Extension Project of the Agrarian Reform Fair and the Fruit of the Earth Consumption Group in related photographs. Subsequently, semi-structured interviews and simple simultaneous observations were conducted in order to obtain more in-depth information on the topic. The analysis of this information took place in the light of the conceptual work developed by teacher José Francisco de Melo Neto, especially with the concept of useful social work. The hypothesis initially raised and later confirmed rested on the idea that the process for the construction of the Fair valued horizontal relations between the participating subjects, as they contained aspects of intentionality, knowledge exchange, started from concrete realities and sought social transformations together with the communities.