The construction of intersectoriality: the case of the Intersectoral Network Guarulhos Cidade que Protege (\Guarulhos, the City that Protects\)

Author(s)

Maria Cristina Trousdell Franceschini

• Document type: Doctoral Thesis
• Press: São Paulo.
• Institution: Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Faculdade de Saúde Pública (FSP/CIR)
• Defense date: 2019-08-08

Examining board members

Marcia Faria Westphal; Claudia Maria Bógus; Gabriela Spanghero Lotta; Rosilda Mendes

• Advisor: Marcia Faria Westphal; Marco Akerman

Abstract

Contemporary societies are undergoing rapid and intense transformations. These challenge current theories, models and concepts that are considered effective to promote economic and social development and to address social crises that arise from social inequities. It is important to understand how strategies such as intersectoriality and network development are incorporated into such context as they promote new management models to address social fragmentation and transform institutional structures and political dynamics. The research conducted a case study on how intersectoral practices and network models are being developed within the Intersectoral Network Guarulhos Cidade que Protege (\"Guarulhos, City that Protects\"), implemented in the city of Guarulhos, São Paulo, since 2010 to tackle violence that affects children and adolescents. A qualitative study was conducted to understand the conceptualizations and significance of intersectoral action and networking for those who are developing and implementing them. The study also aimed to comprehend the structure of the networks created, which factors intervened in the production of intersectoriality and network development and which ones conditioned them, and how these processes contributed to the initiative´s results. Fifty-six (56) semi-structured interviews were conducted; subjects were selected through the snowball technique. The study also included observation and document analysis. Ninety partners and 170 partnerships were identified. Activities conducted by these partnerships included case discussions, community mapping, referrals and follow-ups, reorientation of work and team practices, joint projects, development of activities with families and users in territories, among others. Results pointed out that partnerships usually followed the logic of the public administration structure and service networks with few partnerships being developed with civil society and others. The data highlight the potential of networks to help consolidate supporting structures for intersectoral action, strengthening the capacity of social actors for intersectoral work, promoting new partnerships, increasing trust, improving relationships among social actors and fostering actions aimed at addressing violence. It also highlighted that intersectoral management was limited given that such arrangements took place within sectoral and fragmented structures, a situation which weakened the capacity of the intersectoral actions undertaken and the contribution that they could make to decreasing violence in the city. The results challenge the assumption that intersectorial collaboration is a socially shared practice or a management model of public policies that promotes autonomy and interdependence among the sectors involved. The study concludes with the proposal of two analytical frameworks: one aimed at supporting better planning for the Intersectoral Network to address violence by considering a greater scope of social actors in the territory and seeking better connections with other entities that conform the Municipal Network for the Protection of Child and Adolescents, and another model that synthesizes how intersectoral action and networks can contribute to social, political and institutional transformations in the context of our network and informational society. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 16/25409-7 - The construction of intersectoriality: a case study of the Intersectoral Network Guarulhos Cidade que Protege
• Grantee: Maria Cristina Trousdell Franceschini
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate (Direct)