The performance of the National Reading Incentive Program (Proler) in Vitória da Conquista, Bahia

Abstract

The practice of university extension is characterized by the dialogical interaction between university and society and not by the vertical and mechanistic transfer of academic production, as it is dialogue, the exchange of knowledge and experiences that provide new knowledge. The essential and decisive character of reading and writing for social development gave rise to important initiatives to encourage reading and writing in Brazil, such as the National Reading Incentive Program (Proler). In this sense, this article, which is the second part of a trilogy, aims to study the actions of the Proler Committee in Vitória da Conquista, Bahia, from 2000 to 2020, in order to know the perception of the main actors about the contributions of the Program, in view of this exchange relationship between university and society. This Program is an university extension action and was pioneered by Professor Heleusa Figueira Câmara, who was in charge of the activities until her death in january 2019. The Committee stood out for going beyond the original proposals of the program at the national level, with carrying out various actions in partnership with other public and private institutions. The method used in this study was an empirical research, of the descriptive-exploratory type, and the instruments, interviews and documentary research. Data were collected in 2021 and received qualitative treatment. The results indicate that, throughout its existence, the Proler of Vitória da Conquista, in a creative and innovative way, served as a tool for social transformation, through actions to encourage reading and writing, prioritizing popular, regional and brazilian literary art, in the same way as all forms of cultural expression.