Social Projects and the Internalization of Sustainability and Social Responsibility: Concepts for the Improvement of Quality of Life

Abstract

Based on studies carried out in São Paulo State, Brazil, it was observed that several municipalities have faced huge environmental changes that can be noticed in places where sustainability of natural resources was not prioritized. It was observed the prevalence of an economic development model supported by technological megaprojects in areas of environmental conservation, which also represent areas prone to social and technological risks. The municipality of Bom Jesus dos Perdões, located in São Paulo State, showed very different average values for some social indicators in a set of municipalities of the region. The analysis of data on violence and crime, between 1996 and 2015, allows us to present a general local diagnosis that shows decreasing social security. Simultaneously, it allowed to identify how it is possible to reflect on social reality through two projects: (1) voluntary social work with children and adolescents at risk, through sports practices and (2) Integrated Management Office [Gabinete de Gestão Integrada]—GGI—a project created by the Brazilian Federal Government, of optional municipal adhesion, where it is proposed the integration of several local institutions aiming a joint management of public security. Both projects seek to improve social reality with sustainability and social responsibility of the population.