Youth, research and social participation in the debate on solar energy

Abstract

We present a synthesis of results of a research project and technological development in progress, coordinated by civil society organizations, and having the university as a partner in its execution. In particular, we report to the experience with training of young people (High School and University) for research and the realization of social diagnosis of communities in 21 municipalities in the region of the valleys of the Jequitinhonha River and the Pardo River (State of Minas Gerais). Among the central debates in the formative course, there is the idea of "being a researcher" and, mainly, on the values of a “popular researcher", the building of dialogical relations, the challenges of consolidating social participation from the analysis of reality, and the agroecology as an inspiration for changes in the territories of life.