Welcome to UP2YOUTH: Youth - actor of social change

Section

Indications of content

Institution

ICS -UL Instituto de Ciências Sociais da Universidade de Lisboa [Institute of Social Sciences -  University of Lisbon]

Person(s)

Jorge Vala (Chairman of the Scientific Board)

Manuel Villaverde Cabral (Chairman of the Management Board)

Location: City/Country

Address:

Instituto de Ciências Sociais
Av. Professor Aníbal de Bettencourt, 9
1600-189 LISBOA
Portugal
Telephones:

217 804 700 - Fax: 217 940 274
e-mail:

This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it
Webpage:

www.ics.ul.pt

Main theme

Civic Participation

Transition of young people with an ethnic minority or immigrant background

Keywords area of work

(10 max)

Youth; life course; social integration; social exclusion; life trajectories; school trajectories

Brief description of institution (250 words max)

The ICS, an Associated State Laboratory, is a university institution devoted to research and advanced training in the social sciences.

The mission of the ICS is to study contemporary societies with a special emphasis on Portugal and the societies and cultures with which Portugal has an historical relationship, either in Europe or in other regions of the world. Bringing together researchers from several different disciplines, the ICS currently focuses its research on five main subject areas:

1)       The formation of the contemporary world;

Coord.: Nuno Monteiro

2)       The study of citizenship and democratic institutions;

Coord.: António Costa Pinto

3)       The problems of sustainability, linking the environment, risk and space;

Coord.: Luísa Schmidt

4)       Social changes and individual action in the context of the family, lifestyles and schooling;

Coord.: Karin Wall

5)        Issues concerning identity, migration and religion.

Coord.: João Pina Cabral

The main subjects represented at the Institute are: Social and Cultural Anthropology, Political Science, Economics, Human Geography, History, Social Psychology and Sociology.

Having originated in 1962 as an independent Social Science Research Group (GIS) founded by the pioneering Adérito Sedas Nunes, the ICS became an autonomous institute of the University of Lisbon in 1982 and acquired the status of Associated State Laboratory in 2002, an achievement that puts it on a par with other Portuguese institutions of excellence.

The central activities of the ICS include: publishing research in book form and in articles in Portuguese and international journals of reference; advanced education to the level of Masters' degrees and doctorates; maintaining a dialogue with the international scientific community; and spreading knowledge in the wider community, an increasingly important activity to ensure the necessary interaction between science and citizenship.

Aside from its numerous short to long-term research projects, the ICS channels a considerable amount of its resources into activities of a more enduring type. Since 1989 ICS has hosting the Permanent Youth Observatory thanks to a protocol with the Portuguese Youth Institute. Since 2004 ICS is also hosting the Permanent Schools Observatory, a research programme about school processes and agents actuating in Portuguese society. Both observatories are currently a leading conductor of sociographic enquires, both nation-wide and at the issue-specific level.  In the domain of Youth Studies, ICS-UL had conducted and been involved in various national and international research projects. Some of these projects are/were integrated in international networks.

Análise Social (Social Analysis), Portugal's oldest and most prestigious journal in the field of social science (using peer review), together with the ICS's own publishing house, Imprensa de Ciências Sociais (Social Science Press), which has published hundreds works by authors from many different institutions, are the most visible manifestations of the Institute's activities.

Currently, the Institute has about 70 researchers and 100 postgraduate students and is engaged in about 200 research projects. Near 70 per cent of its activities are financed from its own funds, which are obtained competitively.

Running projects

Title: Sexuality and Youth Affections

Abstract: The project seeks a sociological understanding of the affection (and disaffection) production mechanisms among young people, and the webs of youth behaviours and social networks that - prior and subsequent to the affection production process - are associated with them. In sum, we shall attempt to assess to what degree affective and expressive investments (or disinvestments) translate into specific processes of socialization (or dissocialization).

Coord.: José Machado Pais

Title: Integration Pathways into the labour market, family and school: new scenarios and other Dynamics

Abstract: Portugal has gone through several changes over the last few decades, with Portuguese society having become characterised by a complex "unfinished modernity". The family and school have been two of those fields under transformation, in which the past and the present come together to form new modalities. Based on those two realities, the aim of this study is to characterise and explain the construction of integration pathways into the labour market (formal and informal) within a universe of young people, boys and girls, from different ethnic and social backgrounds, students of the 3rd basic and secondary education levels. Using an approach that is mainly qualitative, based on case studies involving interviews with young people (students from public schools that are part of the "Observatório Permanente de Escolas ICS") and their respective families, the end product involves the elaboration of a typology of the diversity of profiles encountered.

Coords.: Ana Nunes de Almeida and Maria Manuel Vieira

Title: The undecided future: uncertainties and risks in school choices

Abstract: The project focuses on the individualization theories applied to the process of school orientation and school options. Its objectives are:
a) to test the adequacy of the major arguments of the individualization process applied to educational choices at the secondary level, in Portugal.
b) to capture students' perspectives and representations, placing them in the centre of the analysis of school choices.
c) to question the institutional definition of 'school failure', based on linearity and irreversible paths, from the point of view of students (in search of their authentic vocation), offering, thus, a more enriched picture of this educational problem and additional scientific insights to decision-makers. 

d) to promote a comparative approach of these educational phenomena, by contrasting the Portuguese situation with the Brazilian one.

Coord.: Maria Manuel Vieira

Title: Portugal on the African frontier: the reproduction of African religious culture among African Immigrants

Abstract: The project aims to analyze the perception of "Europe" in African imagination; to analyze the discourses about citizenship and belonging by African migrants in Portugal; and to analyze the relationship between African individuals and their home communities.

Coord.: Ramón Sarró

Title: MEL-Net

Abstract: Muslims are citizens and active members of society in nearly all of the Portuguese-speaking countries. All cases differ significantly, but Muslims in Lusophone spaces do share some similar socio-cultural point of comparison (see state-of-the-art). The idea of MEL-net (Muçulmanos em Espaços Lusófonos) emerged from the desire and necessity to facilitate academic exchange among scholars who work on Islam and Muslim-related questions in Portuguese-speaking countries and/or about Portuguese-speaking Muslims living elsewhere. Most of these Portuguese speaking countries with Muslim populations lack a subsequent academic tradition of studies about Islam and Muslims, and have no specific institutional frameworks (research programmes, bibliographical databases, directories of experts, etc.) which support the work of researchers in this area. Furthermore, those scholars and researchers who work on Islam and Muslims outside lusophone spaces and/or lack Portuguese language skills are interested in learning about current work with Muslims in Portuguese-speaking countries for the purposes of comparative analysis. MEL-net aims to facilitate international academic exchange (by publishing the Portuguese research projects in additional languages, including English, French, etc) on these Muslim-related questions.

Coord: Nina Clara Tiesler

Title: Muslim Youth in Portugal: Religion and Culture, Mobility and Citizenship

Abstract: This project focuses upon two distinct groups of young Sunni Muslims in Portugal (of Indian origin with parents from Mozambique and Guinea Bissau respectively). The majority of these young people, especially those among the first group, are Portuguese citizens. The New Islamic Presence in Portugal (Tiesler 2000; 2001; 2005) being first and foremost a postcolonial phenomenon, Muslims of Indian/Mozambican and Guinean background represent the majority of Portuguese Muslims. Concentrating on Muslim Youth, this research seeks to answer the question: Which role does religion play in processes of social integration (social mobility, peer-group building and everyday life convivial/socialising) amongst the "second generation" of Muslims in Portugal? Furthermore, how is religious belonging reflected in concepts and perceptions of ethnic, national or European belonging (active citizenship, socio-political engagement) among young Muslims?

Coord: Nina Clara Tiesler

Title: Social Capital and Young Descendants of Palop in Portugal

Abstract: The characteristics of the social capital inside the networks and the role they perform, in the integration of young people of African origin in Portugal, will be analysed grounded in the data gathered with a questionnaire applied to 400 young people of Cape Verdean and Angolan origin in the area of the Great Lisbon. The gathering of data follows four years of research developed through qualitative interviews to cape-Verdean men and women, in Portugal, Italy and USA. The interviews and the direct observation of these contexts, carried out between 2002 and 2007, suggested the relevance of the social capital, as a theoretical and interpretative tool in the analysis of the integration of migrants, in the labour market and in the Portuguese society. The question of the labour market appears as a central issue in the individual and familiar migratory projects and the Portuguese context suggests the importance of ethnicity and family in the migrant's networks as a support for the integration of people in the host country. This is a very relevant question when laws and socio-economical dynamics of the host country do not guarantee an easy access to resources for the migrants. How can we then describe the characteristics of such networks based on ethnic and household solidarity and how they manage the migratory project to make it possible? Furthermore, what is the nature of the social capital and his usefulness in, for example, the answer to central questions like the access to the labour market for young people of PALOP origin in Portugal?

Coord. Marzia Grassi

Title: Experiences and Representations of Sexuality among Portuguese young people from rural environments

Abstract: The present project, which is based more extensively on research carried out in Brazil, focuses on the need to understand, in more detail, the reality of young Portuguese people from a rural environment. Therefore, through the collection of oral depositions and of ethnographic observation, the intention is to cross the accounts of the young people regarding their experiences with sexuality, reproductive health and issues related with the prevention of sexually transmitted diseases. As such, I intend to:
- Analyse the socio-cultural learning process that these young people from a rural environment are subject to and what the gender characteristics are that model the trajectories of boys and girls in the field of sexual representations and practices;
- Discover the ritualistic practices of boys and girls in the transition process from youth to adult life and how this interferes in the establishment of a rural family.

Coord.: Vanda Aparecida

Relevant Publications

Cabral, Manuel Villaverde, Pais, José Machado (Eds.). (1998). Jovens Portugueses de Hoje. [Young People of Today] Oeiras: Celta Editora.

Ferreira, Vitor Sérgio, Fernandes, Ana Matos, Vieira, Jorge, Puga, Pedro, Barrisco, Susana (Eds.). (2006). A Condição Juvenil Portuguesa na Viragem do Milénio. Um Retrato Longitudinal através de Fontes Estatísticas Oficiais: 1990-2005. [The Condition of Young People at the Turn of the Millenium: A Longitudinal Approach based on Official Statistics] Lisboa: Instituto Português da Juventude.

Ferreira, Vitor Sérgio (2003). Transições entre a escola e o trabalho [Transitions between school and work]. In Jorge Vala (Eds.), Simetrias e Identidades. Jovens Negros em Portugal (pp. 103-142). Oeiras: Celta Editora

Ferreira, Vitor Sérgio (2003). Exercícios de Cidadania. [Exercising Citizenship] In Jorge Vala (Eds.), Simetrias e Identidades. Jovens Negros em Portugal (pp. 143-170). Oeiras: Celta Editora

Nunes de Almeida, Ana, Vieira, Maria Manuel (2006). A escola em Portugal - outros olhares, novos cenários. [School in Portugal - other readings, other scenarios] Lisboa: Imprensa de Ciências Sociais

Pais, José Machado (2007). Chollos, Chapuzas, Changas. Jóvenes, Trabajo Precário y Futuro. Barcelona: Anthropos

Pais, José Machado (2006). "Buscas de si: expressividades e identidades Juvenis" [Soul searching: expressivities and youth identities]. In Maria Isabel Mendes de Almeida e Fernanda Eugénia (Eds.), Culturas Juvenis. Novos Mapas de Afecto (pp. 7-24). Rio de Janeiro: Jorge Zahar Editor

Pais, José Machado, Ferreira, Vitor Sérgio (2005). Teen Life in Portugal. In Shirley R. Steinberg (Eds.), Ten Life Around the World. Teen Life in Europe (pp. 185-2006). Westport, Connecticut / Londres: Greenwood Press

Pais, José Machado, Cairns, David, Pappámikail, Lia (2005-11-01). Jovens Europeus: um Retrato da Diversidade. [Young European People: a Portrait of Diversity] Tempo Social, 2, 109-140. Lisboa:

Pais, José Machado (2005). Jovens e Cidadania. [Youth and Citizenship] Sociologia. Problemas e Práticas, 49, 53-70. Oeiras: Celta Editora

Pais, José Machado (2004-06). "Los dilemas del reconocimiento del aprendizaje informal". Revista de Estudios de Juventud, 65, 83-98. Espanha: Injuve - Instituto de la Juventud

Pais, José Machado e Leila Blass (eds.) (2004). Tribos Urbanas. Produção Artística e Identidades. [Urban Tribes: Artistic Production and Identities] Lisboa: Imprensa de Ciências Sociais

Pais, José Machado et al. (Eds.). (2003). Families and Transitions in Europe: Survey Report of Young Adults in Education and Training Institutions. Ulster: University of Ulster

Pais, José Machado, The multiple faces of the future in the labyrinth of life, Journal of Youth Studies, vol 6, n. 2, 2003, pp. 115-126

Pais, José Machado et al. (Eds.). (2002). Misleading Trajectories. Integration Policies for Young Adults in Europe?. Alemanha: Leske+Budrich.

Pais, José Machado (2002). "Praxes, graffitis, hip-hop. Movimientos y estilos juveniles en Portugal". In C. Feixa, C. Costa, J. Pallarés (Eds.), Movimientos Juveniles en la Península Ibérica. Graffitis, Grifotas, Okupas. Barcelona: Ariel

Pais, José Machado (2002). "Modernised Transitions and Disadvantage Policies". In AAVV (Eds.), Misleading Trajectories. Integration Policies for Young Adults in Europe?. Alemanha: Leske+Budrich

Pais, José Machado, Ferreira, Vitor Sérgio (2002). Transiciones modernizadas y políticas de desvantaja: Paises Bajos, Portugal, Irlanda y jóvenes inmigrantes en Alemania. Revista de Estudios de Juventud, 56, 55 - 86. Madrid: Injuve - Instituto de la Juventud

Pais, José Machado (2001). Ganchos, Tachos e Biscates. Jovens, Trabalho e Futuro. [Youth, Work and Future] Porto: Âmbar

Pais, José Machado, Ferreira, Vitor Sérgio et. al. (2001). Misleading Trajectories: Transition Dilemmas of Young Adults in Europe. Journal of Youth Studies, 1, 101 - 118. Routledge

Pais, José Machado (2001). "Portuguese Research Into Youth and Schooling. Tradition and Findings since 1985". In Hans Merkens e Jürgen Zinnecker (Eds.), Jahrbuch Jugendforschung (pp. 313-342). Alemanha: Leske + Budrich

Pais, José Machado (2000). "Transitions and youth cultures: forms and performances". International Social Science Journal, 164, 219-232. UNECSO.

Pais, José Machado (1999). Traços e Riscos de Vida. Uma Aproximação Qualitativa a Modos de Vida Juvenis. [Traces and Risks of Life: A Qualitative Approach to Young People's Lifestyles] Porto: Âmbar

Pais, José Machado (1999). Consciência Histórica e Identidade - Os Jovens Portugueses num Contexto Europeu. [Historic Conscience and Identity: Young Portuguese People in an European Context] Lisboa: SEJ/CELTA

Pais, José Machado (1999). "Young Adults in Europe. New Trajectories Between Youth and Adulthood. An Intercultural Outline of the European Research Network EGRIS". In CYRCE (Eds.), European Yearbook for Youth and Research (pp. 61-88). Berlim/New York: De Gruyter

Pais, José Machado (1998-09). "Transitions to Adult Life: the Games and the Thrills". Leisure Studies, 1, 2-8.

Pais, José Machado (1995). Inquérito aos Artistas Jovens Portugueses. [Survey on Young Portuguese Artists] Lisboa: Edições do Instituto de Ciências Sociais da Universidade de Lisboa, Estudos e Investigações

Pais, José Machado (Eds.). (1994). Jovens Europeus. [European Youth] Lisboa: Instituto Português da Juventude e Instituto de Ciências Sociais da Universidade de Lisboa.

Pais, José Machado (1993). Culturas Juvenis. [Youth Cultures] Lisboa: Imprensa Nacional-Casa da Moeda

Pais, José Machado (1993). "Routes to Adulthood in a Changing Society: The Portuguese Experience". «Youth, Social Change & Education: Issues, Problems, Policies in post-1992 Europe», Journal of Education, 1, 9-15. London and Washington: Taylor & Francis

Tiesler, Nina Clara, Cairns, David (2007-06). Representing Islam and Lisbon Youth: Portuguese Muslims of Indian-Mozambican origin. Lusotopie Islam en lusophonies, XIV (1), 223-238.

Tiesler, Nina Clara (2006). MEL-net: Rede de Investigação sobre Muçulmanos em Espaços Lusófonos. [MEL-Net: Research Network on Muslims in Lusophone Spaces] Campos. Revista de Antropologia Social, 2, 129-132. Curitiba, Brasil: PPGAS/UFPR

Vieira, Maria Manuel (Eds.). (2007). Escola, jovens e media [School, Youth and the Media]. Lisboa: Instituto de Ciências Sociais.

Vala, J. (Eds.). (2003). Simetrias e Contrastes: Jovens negros em Portugal. [Symmetries and Contrasts: Young black people in Portugal] Oeiras.