A mediação no serviço de convivência e fortalecimento de vínculos como uma estratégia de empoderamento e participação de adolescentes nas comunidades e nos espaços decisórios.

Abstract

The This research addresses the implementation of mediation within the Serviço de Convivência e Fortalecimento de Vínculos – SCFV- as a strategy to empower adolescents' participation in their communities and in decision-making spaces. The temporal scope of the study covers the period from 2009 to 2026, while its spatial scope is limited to the municipality of Santa Cruz do Sul, focusing on the development of local strategies that must be implemented in accordance with national and state guidelines. The guiding research question is: How can mediation constitute a strategy, within the implementation of public policies aimed at empowering adolescents, enabling them to act as spokespersons for their own perspectives in decision-making spaces? The study is based on the hypothesis that, considering the importance of fostering a strengthened community that values adolescent participation, the implementation of mediation courses and mediation practices within the SCFV— understood as an action centered on dialogue and designed to promote adolescents' autonomy—can contribute to the development of emancipated citizens through practices of communication and active listening. The general objective of the study was to analyze how mediation within the Social Coexistence and Bond Strengthening Service, as an emancipatory public policy centered on dialogue, contributes to the development of autonomous adolescents who will assist in decision-making processes aimed at fostering strengthened communities. The specific objectives were: to examine the context of adolescents as rights-bearing subjects in the world and the recognition of others within the framework of the Integral Protection Theory; to analyze the theoretical foundations and practices of the Social Coexistence and Bond Strengthening Service as a space for community mobilization and emancipation of adolescents; to study adolescents’ right to participation in decision-making spaces and its implications for the community; to analyze the institution of mediation, its origins, and its application in Brazil based on Mediation Law No. 13,140/2015; and finally, to propose public policy strategies involving mediation within the Social Coexistence and Bond Strengthening Service for adolescents, aiming at their empowerment. This research is linked to the proposal of the Graduate Program in Law at the University of Santa Cruz do Sul, specifically within the concentration area of Social Rights and Public Policies and the research line Diversity and Public Policies. The research adopted the deductive method of approach and the monographic method of procedure. The research techniques employed were documentary, bibliographic, and qualitative field research. The instrument used was a questionnaire administered through semi structured interviews with open-ended questions. At the conclusion of the study, guidelines were developed for the implementation of a mediation course as an initiative within the Social Assistance Policy, to be delivered through the Serviço de Convivência e Fortalecimento de Vínculos – SCFV-.