Políticas públicas para a criança : o papel da comunidade na efetivação dos direitos e bem-estar

Abstract

In context of multiple challenges, tensions, disparities, and actors arises an overarching theme that cuts across the social reality of children: to respect, protect and fulfil their humanrights. Hence, how and practices? How can cities and communities ensure an effective fulfilment of their rightsand well-being, and in how far would building child friendly cities and communities contribute to reach such purpose? These are the questions that guided this thesis in identifying and unveiling the factos that distance the theory and practice , while exposing the reality of a path that has experienced both advances and setbacks in the realm of childhood protection. Specifically, this study sought to define and understand what integrated childhood policies mean; to push the debate further on the (in)visibility of the child in the prevailingsocial policies and practices, at both national and local level; and to identify and understand the elements contributing to community well-being and may therefore enhance the affirmation of the child as a subject of both law and rights. Drawing upon qualitative research methods, namely semi-structured interviews, a totalof twelve interviews were conducted. The interviewees were grouped according to their professional category and/or their main intervention area in the fields of childhood, youth, and family. In addition to the theoretical framework here presented, their inputs provided potential clues for action to overcome the perils and challenges that undermine the promotion of the rights of the child. From this study, the local emerges as a privileged vehicle for the development of shared experiences, both in space and time, allowing the affirmation of a culture of childhood. In this spirit, our results suggested that cohesive communities are more likely to promote and guarantee-being.

Date of Award	12 Oct 2021
Original language	Portuguese
Awarding Institution	Universidade Católica Portuguesa
Supervisor	Ana Oliveira (Supervisor)