Juventude e participação: jovens na gestão compartilhada da Reserva Extrativista Marinha de Caeté-Taperaçu, em Bragança, Pará

Abstract

This thesis analyzes the weak participation of young people in the shared management of a coastal protected area – Extractive Reserve - in Bragança municipality, Pará State (Brazil). It focuses on the question: if the Reserve is a public policy aimed at the environmental sustainability of the territory, how to ensure this goal without meaningful participation of young residents and users? The research data derive from interviews with eighty young residents of two villages within the Reserve jurisdiction, as well as with the leaders and managers. It found that the youngsters do engage in communitarian practices without, however, entering the arenas of the territory management, especially local committees and councils. Actually, they more often ignore the policy from which they benefit. Besides, there is no consistent capacity building in view of the new commitments regarding the Reserve management. They face the dilemma of staying or leaving the communities, as there are few opportunities to work and study. Their life projects are thought away from fishing, crabs collection and small farming within the boundaries of their communities. It is therefore necessary to invest in socializing means to involve young dwellers in the formal spaces of management, in ways that encourage their creative potential and cooperation. The end is to foster local livelihoods and culture, backing the identity of their territory in its new social and political structure.