Universidade Expandida (CC Autoria)

Summary

This transcript explores the role of universities in engaging with society through extension projects. It emphasizes the importance of universities being permeable to their surrounding communities, fostering dialogue and mutual learning. The speaker highlights two key projects at the Universidade Federal do Sul da Bahia (UFSB): the 'Observatório de Dramaturgia,' which promotes creative writing and dramatic readings, and a writing festival that empowers participants through self-expression. Both projects demonstrate how art, writing, and collaboration can drive social change and personal growth, while also fostering a deeper connection between the university and society.

Takeaways

• 😀 The university should be more permeable to the territories, thinking beyond its physical boundaries and engaging with external communities.
• 😀 Extension work is the strongest link between universities and society, fostering direct engagement between students and real-world issues.
• 😀 The extension process should prioritize dialogue between academic knowledge and the various forms of wisdom circulating in society, respecting local cultures and experiences.
• 😀 The extension projects should involve an active listening approach, starting with the real needs of society rather than imposing external solutions.
• 😀 The people living in vulnerable territories, like marginalized or indigenous communities, hold valuable cultural and pedagogical knowledge that can teach students in ways that formal education often does not.
• 😀 Universities should engage in horizontal dialogues with local communities, helping to address social inequalities through collaborative knowledge production.
• 😀 The university is a space for mutual learning, where students, academics, and community members can exchange ideas and perspectives to address social issues.
• 😀 The two extension projects highlighted are the Observatório de Dramaturgia, which fosters creative writing for the stage, and the Festival de Escrever, which promotes writing as a means of self-expression and subjectivity creation.
• 😀 Writing in these projects is seen as a tool for personal and collective empowerment, allowing individuals to tell their own stories and explore their identities.
• 😀 The speaker believes that art has the power to transform, restore, and reconstruct individuals and communities, playing a crucial role in societal change.
• 😀 Both projects serve as opportunities for the university to connect with the community, create cultural value, and promote inclusive education.

Q & A

What is the main argument about the role of the university in relation to society and territories?

The speaker argues that the university should not view itself as an isolated institution but should be more permeable and engaged with the territories around it. The university should actively think about and interact with the communities and environments it serves.

How is the concept of 'extension' defined in the context of the university?

Extension is defined as the most beautiful and strong connection between the university and society. It involves students engaging with social issues and bridging scientific knowledge with the diverse, lived knowledge circulating in the community.

What challenges do the communities facing the university experience?

Communities in the university’s surrounding territories often face challenges like poverty, malnutrition, substance abuse, and racial prejudice. Despite these challenges, they show resilience and vitality, particularly in preserving their cultural heritage.

Why is it important for university students to interact with local communities?

It's crucial because students can learn directly from these communities, gaining insights from their life experiences, cultural practices, and unique forms of knowledge, which are valuable in their educational and personal growth.

How does the concept of 'dialogical interaction' play a role in extension projects?

The principle of 'dialogical interaction,' rooted in Paulo Freire's ideas, emphasizes active listening and real, horizontal dialogue between the university and the communities. It's not just about applying scientific knowledge to solve problems but collaborating and learning together with the communities.

What are the two main projects the speaker is involved in at the university?

The speaker is involved in two key extension projects: the 'Observatório de Dramaturgia,' which fosters creative writing for theater and film, and the 'Festival de Escrever,' which promotes writing as a way to enhance subjectivity and community interaction through literature.

What is the purpose of the 'Observatório de Dramaturgia' project?

The purpose of the 'Observatório de Dramaturgia' is to encourage the creation of dramaturgy and its sharing. The project involves workshops where participants create texts, followed by dramatic readings to engage both the academic and non-academic communities in the creative process.

How does the 'Festival de Escrever' contribute to the community?

The 'Festival de Escrever' is designed as a space to promote writing, encouraging individuals to express their experiences, thereby facilitating a form of cultural exchange. It helps people connect with their own subjectivity and engage with broader literary and cultural narratives.

How does the speaker describe the impact of art on society?

The speaker believes art has the power to transform and restore society. It can change structures, reconstruct lives, and heal by making people aware of the possibilities for creative expression and engagement with their histories.

What is the role of extension in responding to societal needs?

Extension is a space where the university can listen to society’s needs and respond with scientific knowledge and resources. It serves as a platform for both the university and community to collaboratively explore solutions to social inequalities and challenges.