PARTICIPATION OF THE CIVIL SOCIETY SEGMENT IN THE STATE COUNCIL OF WATER RESOURCES OF THE STATE OF SÃO PAULO

Abstract

The article aimed to investigate the influence of the participation of the civil society sector in the State Council of Water Resources of the State of São Paulo, in order to identify the degree of social control in decision-making. As a methodology, it was analyzed the Rules of Procedure of the Board, information on the frequency of meetings, in addition to the application of semi-structured questionnaires to the current members of the Board. The Council Regulations adopt the tripartite model, but with few civil society representatives who are not part of the user segment. In this way, the interests of public power can subjugate groups, harming decision-making. On the other hand, the participation of civil society establishes potentialities for the democratic process, contributing to the monitoring of deliberations. Changes in the composition of the Council and improvements in the conditions are necessary so that the civil society segment can act in a balanced way with the other sectors represented in it.