Recently, Professor Elizabeth Castillo Guzmán presented, at a panel organized by the Ministry of National Education, the experience related to the Ethnoeducation Bachelor's programs, alongside Gunther Dietz from the University of Veracruz who spoke about Intercultural Universities for indigenous peoples in Mexico, and Pablo Gentil who addressed the National Policy of Affirmative Actions (Quota Law). The three professors contributed to the debate in the construction of a new National Agreement for Higher Education.

"Context and Prospects" is a series of panel discussions taking place in Colombia in preparation for a new National Agreement for Higher Education. With this objective, on May 9th, at the Ministry of National Education in the capital city, the panel discussion 'Higher Education and Interculturality' took place, featuring participation from three experts in the education sector. Gunther Dietz from the University of Veracruz represented Mexico, Pablo Gentil represented the Brazilian government, and Elizabeth Castillo Guzmán represented Colombia's Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences at the University of Cauca.

Elizabeth Castillo, from Unicaucana, shared Colombia's experience with Ethnoeducation programs spanning around thirty years, which have facilitated access to education in remote and marginalized areas. "The necessity to consider an intercultural approach as a hallmark of higher education and as a means to establish justice of knowledge within universities, combining policies for differential access and reinforcing curricular policies where addressing diversities and their various expressions is part of the students' political formation," shared Professor Castillo Guzmán.

During the panel discussion, issues related to the right to higher education for historically excluded populations were debated, drawing insights from experiences in countries such as Brazil and Mexico.

Pablo Gentil highlighted the essential role of Brazil's National Policy of Affirmative Actions (Quota Law), which has significantly altered the composition of state universities to reflect the social and economic disadvantages faced by Afro-descendant and indigenous groups. "Thus, there is a need for regulations that support the allocation of resources and flexibility in admission mechanisms so that these populations can pursue higher education," Gentil emphasized.

Gunther Dietz suggested that in Mexico, the creation of several Intercultural Universities for Indigenous Peoples in different states has not necessarily been the best solution to meet the higher education needs of these communities. "It is crucial to build comprehensive projects based on the distinction of concepts. While multiculturalism attempts to portray diversity as it exists in a specific space, interculturality identifies coexistence in ethno-linguistic diversity. The former acknowledges differences; the latter embraces them. Each institution must find tools that foster the university experience from diversity," stated Dietz.

Alejandro Álvarez Gallego, the Vice Minister of Higher Education, concluded by emphasizing the importance of this topic for the national debate on the reforms needed within the education system. He noted the demand from peoples and ethnic groups for education and their own universities, while also stressing the need for the entire system to embrace and accommodate this interculturality, which has already made progress across the continent and in Colombia.

Finally, from the University of Cauca, we highlight the importance of our professors participating in dialogues and academic exchanges aimed at strengthening higher education in the country, especially in discussions about enhancing a more diverse and inclusive education for our local communities.

For more information:

Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences

Email: decanaturafchs@unicauca.edu.co