Social Demands and Policies

   CONTENTS  

Assessing and intervening in reality

International migrations and their consequences for the structure of families is one of the main subjects addressed by the Research Group on Social Demands and Policies (GEDEPS). Sponsored by the International Federation of Catholic Universities (IFCU), a research project was launched in 2005, in which PUCRS collaborated with other Latin American and European HEIs. The general aim of this project is to elucidate the processes of exclusion generated by migrations and their effect on families to create strategies to confront this problem, strengthen bonds, and guarantee rights.

Within this context, the group pursued its activities using as samples, in addition to Porto Alegre, the cities of Governador Valadares (MG) and Criciúma (SC), both characterized by a strong emigration movement. The last interviews conducted, after the economic crisis of 2008, emphasized a tendency of migration back to Brazil, which will be the target of future research.

To assess public policies that address drug abuse, the group integrates an intercontinental network of studies comprising institutions from Latin America, Asia, and the Middle East. Focusing on RS, a team of professors and students of Social Work in partnership with the Departments of Psychology and Pharmacy mapped the national policies addressing this subject, surveyed the available services, studied the corresponding legislation, and investigated this state-of-the art topic. Currently, interviews are being conducted with an estimated 750 individuals comprising users; their relatives; and professionals and managers of treatment, prevention, and research and learning institutions.

GEDEPS studies, investigates, and intervenes in the fields of Social Policies and Social Gerontology. Chaired by Professor Leonia Capaverde Bulla, it performs interdisciplinary activities that integrate learning, research, and outreach.