With the participation of distinguished local and national scholars, the first Colloquium of History Students at Universidad del Cauca took place under the theme: “Writings and Images of History.”

This inaugural edition of the event featured renowned academics in the field of humanities and social sciences, including Dr. Margarita Garrido Otoya and M.A. Roger Pita Pico, who opened the program with a dialogue titled “Emotions and Power in the History of Colombia: A Conversation Between the Colonial and Republican Eras.”

 

 

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According to independent researcher Margarita Garrido, “History has begun to be renewed, but we face the great challenge of ensuring this new kind of history, plural and inclusive, reaches the people, encouraging them to reflect on it. These are histories that include multiple voices, new territories, and raise questions that were not asked before. This demands that we produce historical narratives in various formats. That’s why programs like the one at Unicauca, which emphasizes media, and the Master's program at Universidad Externado, which focuses on alternative narrative formats, are so important.”

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Garrido further emphasized the importance of approaching history from different perspectives, such as through emotions: “It’s not just about the emotions historical events evoke in us, but also the emotions that generate historical events themselves. Emotions are part of how we explain and understand history.”

Tatiana Fernanda Velásquez García, a member of the organizing committee, explained their decision to use the term colloquium: “It speaks to a more intimate academic event, where we gather with peers and colleagues to share knowledge. It’s a space that highlights the research being developed within our History program at Unicauca.”

Velásquez also pointed out the broader value of such initiatives: “These events are important for both the organizers and participants because they help build connections between universities and regions, and foster academic relationships with researchers from across the country. This gives us insight into how history is being written in other contexts.”

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For Dr. Margarita Garrido, an event like this organized by young Unicaucan students offers a reason to remain hopeful about humanity:
“Humanity has created horrors, but we also owe it everything. This hope allows us to see the positive side solidarity, empathy, an intelligent and responsible relationship with the environment, the discovery of otherness. All of this shows us that it is possible to come together to create collective visions for humanity, that there is a future, and that a different kind of society can indeed be built.”

 

Written by: Center for Communications Management