Encontros dialógicos: relatos de uma experiência de extensão universitária em saúde do trabalhador inspirada em Paulo Freire

Abstract

The curricularization of university extension in 2018 was a challenge, however, it could be an opportunity for transformative dialogue between the university and sectors of civil society. This text is the report of an experience, of a theoretical-practical nature, carried out by the Laboratory of Studies in Public Policies, Work and Sociability (LEPPTraS), of the School of Social Service of the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro (ESS/UFRJ), at the request of a union of education professionals to face the growing illness of its professionals. It developed a participatory methodology inspired by the liberating pedagogy of Paulo Freire (2016), which sought to contribute to the process of political formation of participants through “Dialogical Meetings”. The objective was, from a perspective of complexity and social totality, to expand the apprehension they had of their processes of psychological suffering and illness, contributing to the (re)construction of their autonomy and protagonism in their lives, so that could forge defense and resistance strategies (Seligmann-Silva, 1994), in addition to promoting the restoration of collective ties and the individual strengthening of participants. The themes highlighted in the Welcome Circles were debated and reflected on within the group, in the Conversation Circles. As a result, a total of 13 circles were held, mobilizing approximately 123 people. In the qualitative assessment at the end, the group reported that they managed to denaturalize and historicize what they experienced in their work, improved their mental health, strengthened them individually and their collective ties, contributing to their political formation, so that they could react or forge resistance collective.