Community and public agencies: who can solve the social and enviromental problems?

Abstract

This is an analytical study of the communitarian experience carried out in 1995, namely the “Encontro Comunitário do Saco Grande II – ECOSG” (The Saco Grande II Community Encounter), held in Florianópolis, SC. The concepts of popular participation and health vigilance inform the investigation. An analysis was made of the topics discussed at the encounter, including: irregular land takeovers and unapproved buildings, water and sewage systems, garbage and leftovers, drugs and unleashed animals. Such topics were discussed and settled in the meeting of the community with the public agencies. However, after five years, no significant actions have been taken as concerns the proposals put forward at the Encounter. Three problems emerged: inexistence of integration among public agencies resulting in overlaping actions, lack of political will and the precarious conditions of the institutional structure of such agencies to legitimize popular participation.