Participatory communication through Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) has been identified to enhance self-dependency and equality for local communities in development projects. As well, ICTs served as an accelerator for citizen participation in social movements, such as in Egypt. However, it is still questionable how participation and ICTs are understood on a global scale where structural inequalities between developing and developed countries might influence communication processes. Similarly, international organizations often address a global network of stakeholders with various economic and social backgrounds. However, it is unclear how participatory communication and ICTs are used in global organizations aiming to foster sustainable development. Hence, this thesis investigates the understanding and practices of participatory communication and the role of ICTs in a global network organization, the Global Water Partnership (GWP) based in Stockholm. The GWPs network consists of 2964 institutional partners in 172 countries worldwide. It can be seen that the GWP aims to achieve dialogic communication with local partners, but that they do not have a mechanism that ensures continuous participation in all working processes, although the local partners demand more possibilities to contribute and participate. As well, ICTs play a minor role in addressing the GWP network. In fact, most of the partner organizations do not have reliable internet access and insufficient English literacy, which makes communication through ICTs especially challenging.This suggests that globally operating organizations should be careful not to reproduce existing power relationship between developed and developing countries through the use of ICTs. As well, more mechanisms need to be established which ensure more participation in organization’s processes.

Submitted by Ana Araujo (analu.aaraujo@gmail.com) on 2018-03-05T17:10:52Z No. of bitstreams: 1 Dissertação_AnaAraujo_FINAL_aprovada.pdf: 12772557 bytes, checksum: 852bd655a15763a874fe50bd04b15a67 (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Janete de Oliveira Feitosa (janete.feitosa@fgv.br) on 2018-03-09T14:52:26Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 1 Dissertação_AnaAraujo_FINAL_aprovada.pdf: 12772557 bytes, checksum: 852bd655a15763a874fe50bd04b15a67 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2018-03-12T19:38:38Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Dissertação_AnaAraujo_FINAL_aprovada.pdf: 12772557 bytes, checksum: 852bd655a15763a874fe50bd04b15a67 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2017-12-14 / Objetivo – Esse estudo busca investigar o papel da Agência Barco Chico Mendes na inclusão financeira mediada pela tecnologia nas comunidades ribeirinhas da Amazônia. Metodologia – Foi realizado um estudo de caso por meio de entrevistas semiestruturadas com os atores locais. Para orientar o mapeamento e análise dos resultados foi utilizado um modelo teórico de inclusão financeira mediada por TICs (modelo 2iDf), a partir da investigação dos componentes presentes em iniciativas dessa natureza. Os dados foram analisados utilizando-se análise léxica e análise de conteúdo. Resultados – Os resultados demonstraram que a Agência Barco exerce um papel positivo no acesso a produtos e serviços financeiros pela população ribeirinha. A pesquisa indicou, ainda, oportunidade para o desenvolvimento de parcerias com instituições locais e órgãos do governo, visando suprir as restrições locais e fortalecer a sustentabilidade política e econômica do projeto. O estímulo ao uso consciente e responsável do sistema financeiro é fragilizado, entretanto, devido ao baixo engajamento com stakeholders locais - como os empreendedores da região -, que atuam como influenciadores e promotores das mudanças de atitude e comportamento, da população ribeirinha, acerca das práticas financeiras informais locais. Finalmente, o estudo identificou a necessidade de aceleração do desenvolvimento das capacidades financeiras, ampliando o escopo do componente Educação Financeira, com o objetivo de contemplar o desenvolvimento de conscientização e crítica que resultem em mudança individual de atitudes e comportamentos relacionados ao uso de produtos e serviços financeiros. Contribuições práticas – A partir dos resultados, essa pesquisa indicou a oportunidade, para a CAIXA, de desenvolvimento de parcerias, tanto com órgãos públicos como com instituições de poder locais nas regiões de atuação da Agência Barco. A pesquisa indicou, ainda, a importância do engajamento de iniciativas de inclusão financeira nas comunidades ribeirinhas da Amazônia com empreendedores locais. Finalmente, a demanda por treinamento e capacitação financeira, pelos entrevistados, indicou a oportunidade de desenvolvimento de programas com esse fim, como componente de destaque em programas de inclusão financeira mediada por TICs em comunidades de baixa renda. Originalidade – O presente estudo resultou na proposta de continuidade e evolução do modelo 2iDf (SANTOS; JOIA, 2016) de inclusão financeira mediada por TICs em regiões de baixa renda, a partir da expansão do componente “Educação Financeira” para “Capacidade Financeira”, além da inclusão, no modelo 2iDf, do novo componente “Engajamento com Stakeholders Locais” / Purpose – This research aims to investigate the role of Agência Barco Chico Mendes in the ICT-mediated financial inclusion of the riverine communities of the Amazon. Design/ Methodology – A case study was conducted through semi-structured interviews with clients of the Agência Barco Chico Mendes, banking correspondents, CAIXA employees and local stakeholders. To guide the results mapping and analysis, a theoretical model of financial inclusion mediated by ICT (2iDf model) was used, based on the investigation of the components present in initiatives of this nature. Data was analyzed using lexical analysis and content analyses procedures. Findings – The outcome indicates that the Agência Barco has a positive role in the access to financial products and services by the riverine population. The research also indicated an opportunity for development of partnerships with local institutions and public agencies to overcome local constraints and strengthen the political and economic sustainability of the project. The promotion of a conscious and responsible use of the financial system is weakened, however, by the low engagement of the initiative with local stakeholders, such as local entrepreneurs. These agents act as influencers and promoters of attitude and behavioral changes by the riverine population, on the practices related to the use of the financial system. Finally, the study identified the need to accelerate the development of financial capabilities, expanding the scope of the Financial Education component, to develop more awareness and criticism needed to an individual change of attitudes and behaviors related to the use of financial products and services. Practical implications – Based on the results, this research indicated the opportunity for CAIXA to develop partnerships, both with public agencies and local power institutions in the regions served by Agência Barco. The research also indicated the importance of the engagement, of financial inclusion initiatives, in the riverine communities with local entrepreneurs. Finally, the demand for training and financial capabities by the interviewees indicated the opportunity to develop programs for this purpose, as a prominent component in financial inclusion programs mediated by ICTs in low-income communities. Originality/ Value - The present study resulted in the proposal of continuity and evolution of the 2iDf (SANTOS; JOIA, 2016) model of ICT-mediated financial inclusion in low income regions, from the expansion of the "Financial Education" component to "Financial Capabilities", and the addition, in the 2iDf model, of the new component "Engagement with Local Stakeholders"