Research developed by the Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte (UFRN), in partnership with the Oswaldo Cruz Foundation (Fiocruz), gave rise to the photographic exhibition Retratos da Juventude Potiguar, on display at the Rampa Cultural Complex, in Natal. The exhibition brings together images produced by young people from all regions of the state during workshops that used the photovoice methodology, a technique in which participants record, through photography, aspects of their daily lives.
The exhibition is part of a study conducted by UFRN and Fiocruz, which interviewed 1,773 young people from Rio Grande do Norte, aged between 15 and 29, in addition to promoting focus groups in all regions of the state. The research results were presented on July 3, during a seminar that discussed topics such as family, violence, mobility, access to information, social participation, health, sexuality and drug use.
Jenair Alves, coordinator of the Observatory of the Children's Population in Contexts of Violence (Obijuv), highlights that the project sought to dialogue with young people in different spaces, such as schools, social organizations, social networks and photography workshops, in addition to promoting conversation circles to validate the research results.
The survey also presents data on the occupations of the participants. Most study, work, intern or combine more than one of these activities. Among teenagers aged 15 to 17, 18.8% study and work, while among young people aged 18 to 29 this percentage reaches 33%. Only 1% of teenagers and 2.4% of young adults interviewed said they did not study or work.
According to André Sobrinho, coordinator of Agenda Jovem Fiocruz (AJF), the data shows that the territory where young people live directly influences their opportunities, reinforcing the need to strengthen public policies aimed at health, mobility and work.
The exhibition Portraits of Potiguar Youth remains open for public viewing at the Rampa Cultural Complex until July 12th.