Mobilidade internacional e associativismo de estudantes africanos no Brasil: o caso da UNILAB

Abstract

This dissertation investigates the mobility and integration of African students from Portuguese-speaking African countries (PALOP) at the Universidade da Integração Internacional da Lusofonia Afro-Brasileira (UNILAB). The research problem focuses on understanding the strategies of action and conflict resolution employed by these students within the context of UNILAB/BA, located in Northeastern Brazil. Through qualitative and quantitative approaches, the study analyzes mobility policies aimed at professional qualification or training, the students' profiles, and their strategies for addressing conflicts. Established in 2010, based on South-South cooperation, UNILAB stands out as a space that reflects international educational policies and the relations between Brazil and Africa. Despite its welcoming purpose, African students face challenges such as racial prejudice, xenophobia, and inadequacy in public services. In response to these adversities, they create solidarity networks organized into associations, forums, and collectives. These organizations promote cultural and academic events, aiming to educate the local population and value their identities. The study highlights that these networks constitute the main mechanisms of resistance and collective action, playing a crucial role in mitigating conflicts faced both at the university and in the city of São Francisco do Conde.