Can resilience contribute to factors that transform isolated individuals into a powerful integrated group, combine their forces, and defend their common interests? This paper examines the displacement of the inhabitants of Jaguaribara, (Northeast of Brazil) and their resettlement due to construction of the dam “Castanhao”. While a new city was planned by the Government to shelter the inhabitants from “Old Jaguaribara” that was overflow by the dam, the case yields consequences that arising out with the resettlement of the community, elucidating besides the impoverishment risks the protective factors that came up during the process of resistance against the construction of the dam, in the light of the concept of Resilience.
In order to capture the various dimensions of this process, qualitative primary data were used as the main source: documentation made by NGO's and professionals involved during the process of resistance against the construction of the dam as well as semistructure interviews. Therefore the case of resilience enhancement in Jaguaribara elucidates a community that perceives an adversity situation in a different way, combining forces they could enhance their capabilities and overcome the hardships, catalyze collective gains as well as articulate and defend common interests.
Recorded: July 2010 Brisbane, Australia
Coping Resilience & Hope Building, Asia Pacific Regional Conference
Organiser: The Brisbane Institute of Strengths Based Practice
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