Defining the theoretical concept of “interculturality” and the principles of the policy are the first issues that are being reviewed to decide what orientation the articles in this document will have that seek to recognize and incorporate the Mapuche kimün transversally in the university.
In the framework of the ninth session of the Intercultural Relations Policy, the triestamental work committee, made up of 19 university actors, completed its first vote to define the structure of the definition of “Interculturality” and the principles that will guide the policy. The proposal was presented by the technical team led by the Institute of Indigenous and Intercultural Studies of the University of the Border.
The milestone occurs after a series of meetings where the idea of discussing the theoretical approach that the policy should have was raised, considering that interculturality in education at the international and national level has been working according to two positions: under critical, and functional interculturality.
“Different forms and scopes of the concept of interculturality are visualized and in particular, the Committee has openly proposed not to focus on the functional character, but rather it has been agreed to speak of a critical interculturality, which starts from the recognition of asymmetries and inequalities built under relationships of power, which recognizes, promotes, and validates the rights, manifestations, and cultural practices, knowledge, worldviews, and knowledge of the original peoples, especially the Mapuche people, and their territories that coexist in a university space with their cultural and linguistic particularities,” he said. the director of the Institute of Indigenous and Intercultural Studies, Osvaldo Curaqueo.
The members of the committee, together with the technical team, were able to discuss and reflect on these perspectives based on the presentations of two experiences of intercultural programs and policies, one carried out in Mexico by the Autonomous University of Quintana Roo, and another by the Universidad of the lakes In this instance, the possible link with actors external to UFRO was also discussed.
Regarding these conferences, the UFRO academic, Stefanie Pacheco Pailahual, highlighted: “the main value was diversity, because we met totally different cases. The first geographically, belonging to the Mayan people and is quite limited to the student, similar to what the rüpü program develops, while the other is developed in futawillimapu, where there is an expression much more focused on indigenous peoples and also in areas of impact institutional type. In addition, this goes far beyond academic support for indigenous students,” said the academic.
Along the same lines, the academic from the UFRO Civil Works Engineering Department and coordinator of the FICA Interculturality Unit, Leonardo Lleuful, stated: “it is clear and opportune to determine that in this territory what is intercultural and indigenous is directly related to the Mapuche , their culture, knowledge, worldview, spirituality and the promotion and protection of all of them as an obligation on the part of educational institutions belonging to the State of Chile as indicated by Law 21,094 of State Universities”, indicated Lleuful.
For her part, the student representative of the Council of Presidents, Yuliana Brevis, appreciated the advances in politics: “It seems to me that politics is on the right track because consensus is beginning to be reached on fundamental issues. This has been carried out through spaces to analyze and debate how it is understood and applied in the specific context of the policy in question, which is essential to avoid unilateral or dominant visions, and to be able to build a more inclusive policy, respectful and efficient that promotes intercultural coexistence in society”, highlighted the student.
In the next sessions, subcommittees will be formed to continue refining the content of the principles, concepts and future policy areas.
Institute of Indigenous and Intercultural Studies