INQUIRIES IN / WITH EJA IN THE CONTEXT OF THE PANDEMIC: AN EXPERIENCE OF A DIGITAL CULTURAL CIRCLE

In this article we use the methodology of the Freirian Culture Circle to explore continuing professional development within a Community of Practice in youth and adult education (EJA) in Brazil in times of pandemic. We begin by affirming the importance of EJA in tackling the exclusion imposed for decades on portions of the population with regard to the benefits of education. We conceptualize those working in EJA as a community of practice, and reflect on the central role of the UNEB MPEJA in nurturing that community. We go on to present the project Inquiries in / with EJA in Times of Pandemic whose main purpose was to interrogate, reflect and analyze the challenges and possibilities of public policies for EJA in the context of the pandemic, through a dialogical and democratic process, enabling those who are committed to EJA to share and reflect on their practices. We suggest that strengthening the Community of Practice in youth and adult education (EJA) can promote innovation, develop social capital, and facilitate the creation and dissemination of knowledge about, in and for EJA in Bahia.