Experiências adquiridas pela prefeitura de Guarulhos/SP-Brasil no âmbito de sua cooperação internacional descentralizada: contribuição aos estudos da paradiplomacia

Abstract

Introduction: The global scenario, driven by the end of the Cold War and globalization, allowed for the involvement of new actors in International Relations, including subnational entities. These entities began to engage in various types of international activities, in a phenomenon known as paradiplomacy. However, specialized literature presents gaps in the analysis of the central government's role in promoting these activities. Objective: In this context, this dissertation analyzes the experiences acquired by the Municipality of Guarulhos through its decentralized cooperation with the Department of Seine-Saint-Denis (France) and the Mozambican municipalities of Maputo and Matola, under the Franco-Brazilian Call for Decentralized and Trilateral Cooperation for the Benefit of Haiti and African Countries, with a focus on solid waste management and local and regional development. Methodology: The methodology adopted was an exploratory study with a qualitative approach, using Systematic Literature Review (SLR), bibliometric analyzes, case study and interviews with individuals involved in cooperation. In addition, the concept of the Public Policy Cycle was used as a theoretical and methodological basis. The relevance of this study is justified by the effervescence of paradiplomatic activities, especially in the midst of the Covid-19 pandemic, and the importance of the theme of solid waste management in a context of accelerating urbanization in Africa. Results: The results of the study provide an insight into the experiences gained by the subnational entities involved in decentralized cooperation, as well as alternative forms of public policies for local and regional development. The results demonstrate, for example, the importance of city networks for interaction between subnational entities, the improvement of internal management of the municipalities involved, and the increase in the international visibility of the municipalities. In addition, cooperation contributed to the improvement of solid waste management in Maputo and Matola, with the integration of waste pickers' cooperatives and the promotion of intersectorality throughout the process. Conclusions: Based on the research results, it is possible to conclude that decentralized cooperation can be an effective strategy for local and regional development, as well as for the promotion of innovative public policies. In addition, the importance of the central government's role in promoting and supporting paradiplomatic activities is highlighted, in order to ensure their effectiveness and sustainability.