Public Policies Debate Cycle: an initiative to connect the community to the course of Public Administration of the Federal University of Lavras

Abstract

The project was conceived in order to promote awareness and to stimulate debates on public policies and topics related to the public sector. These topics are considered central to both the functioning of the State and, especially, to enhance understanding and interrelationships between society, state, politics and economy. Thus, the cycle aims to help train not only professionals, but also citizens who are able to think and act critically in the public organizations of the society and of the State. In addition, this is considered a major initiative in that it goes beyond the limited scope of the University. It links the context of discussion and knowledge production to the local community, favoring, consequently, a closer relationship between these spheres. Furthermore, public universities have always been associated with the economic, social cultural and political development of the nation. This project is in line with the university role of promoting the culture of debate and critical thinking. The project has been carried out since the first half of 2014, and its results are the three editions of the cycle. The first edition had the inaugural theme of "Associative Practices, Representation and Social Control of Public Policies"; the second edition discussed the "Social Participation Policy"; and, the third edition addressed the topic "Judicial activism and its implications for the public policies cycle". Promoting debate stimulates not only the student's connection to the community, but also raises more civic, participatory and reflective attitudes.