Rethinking the socio-educational in local spaces: reflections from the academic practices of Social Work

Abstract

Introduction: This article deals with elements related to the socio-educational dimension of Social Work, in the context of the academic practices of the third level of the career at the University of Costa Rica, specifically the course Local Organization and Citizenship I and II, carried out in collaboration with the district of Río Azul, Cartago.

Objective: To identify relevant elements about socio-educational issues and their relationship with academic practice in Social Work.

Method: The practice starts from the socio-educational dimension, with a methodology based on participatory action research, which included a diagnosis process together with the community and the creation of a work plan in response to the needs identified with the population.

Results: It is necessary to problematize the socio-educational dimension in the face of emerging objects of intervention in the professional field, for which the diagnosis is a fundamental tool that allows a professional approach in a critical way. This must be accompanied by situational planning, mapping of actors and principles of intervention-action. In this programme, practical needs were identified in areas such as poverty, violence, inequality and social exclusion. 16 workshops on life skills, migration and violence were held with boys and girls from the Francisco Gamboa School in Río Azul.

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