Resumo

LATAPI SARRE, PABLO. La participación de la sociedad en la definición de políticas públicas de educación: el caso de Observatorio Ciudadano de la Educación. Perfiles educativos [online]. 2005, vol.27, n.107, pp.7-39. ISSN 0185-2698.

Focusing on the problems faced by Observatorio Ciudadano de la Educación -a non-governmental organization acting as critical watch of educational development in Mexico- the essay analyses the subject of participation of society in educational matters, especially in the decision making process concerning educational policies. It is contended that social participation should cease to be a "black box" in which very different actors and processes are indistinctly mingled. Several concepts are dealt with: the new definition of civil society and citizenship demanded by emerging phenomena in modern democratic societies, the forms of participation related to the adoption of educational policies (particularly through the intervention of educational researchers) and the building of networks of NGO's. Characteristic of Mexican present society (its incipient democratic culture or lack of adequate legislation) are also considered. Beyond the immediate application to the case of Observatorio, these reflections may contribute to a better understanding of social participation in education in general.

Palavras-chave : Civil society; Educational policies; Citizenship; Participation; Democracy.