A participação política juvenil: uma análise das experiências de jovens na Rede de Jovens do Nordeste/PB

Abstract

The objective of this study is to analyze the political participation of young people who are part of or integrate the Northeast Youth Network. It is a question of discussing one of the forms of political participation of youth, which is expressed mainly by networking and opening up to government agencies. The research, of a qualitative nature, is based on reports from the youth themselves, in order to understand how they attribute meaning to their experiences as political actors, whether in organizational and mobilization practices or as representatives of the Network in governmental bodies. The period analyzed is from 2005 to 2011, when the Network is more active in the Northeast and young people were interviewed who participated in different moments of the Network's history. The analysis of the speech talks with the concept of youth, understood as a changeable category that is also signified by young people themselves, from their experiences in the family, work, school, church and politics. Political participation is understood in an expanded sense involving organizational practices, direct action and mediation, as well as the elaboration of representations about the meaning of democracy, participation and citizenship. The results show not only the contribution of the Network, but also a space of insertion and political participation of a part of the youth, but of human formation based on new bonds of solidarity in the construction of a new political culture.