Culture as educational intervention for change: The experience of the Neighbourhood-School Programme in the city of Nova Iguaçu, Brazil

Abstract

The relationship between culture and educational action for social transformation has been a major talking point in contemporary debate. In Brazil, some local governments have been assuming a leading role in development by drafting public policies based on the specific socio-economic and cultural aspects of their territory. The city of Nova Iguaçu in the state of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, has been implementing a public policy called the Neighbourhood-School Programme, one of the basic themes of which is culture. In this paper we describe how the Neighbourhood-School has contributed to social transformation in Nova Iguaçu. We discuss how, by fostering culture, the Neighbourhood-School Programme has the potential to contribute to social change and development in Nova Iguaçu by generating jobs and income, as well as fostering the socio-cultural inclusion of children and youths, providing professional training and creating cultural equipment, among other actions. © 2011.