BOGOTA , Colombia
A Continental Seminar was held on "Interculturalism, Society and Education" at Liceo Josefa Segovia. in Bogota from October 5-9. This was part of the process of the consolidation phase of the Socio-Educational Project of the Teresian Association (TA), "Educating in difficult times".
The seminar was attended by educators from the countries in which the TA is present in Latin America, the U.S., and elsewhere, as well as by representatives of the government of the Teresian Association, Emma Melgarejo and Inmaculada Pache, and the coordinating team of the Socio-Educational Project. "As educators, the search for and construction of an intercultural education in each context is an imperative in these times when globalization is a reality: an education that dialogues among cultures and peoples and is conducive to the path from multiculturalism to interculturalism," says seminar coordinating team.
"It is a collective search," said Manoly King, principal of Liceo Josefa Segovia," which calls for joint efforts to realize the dream of social transformation," she added. Maite Uribe, President of the Teresian Association, sent a message of "encouragement and hope" with the following words:
"Together let us contemplate from the vantage point of the last ten years of the Socio-Educational project of the Teresian Association in Latin America. As we look at it, look back to the horizon, which was well collectively designed for a society, for a more fraternal world, more just, more livable, to which the Proposal aims at with clarity and courage," said Maite Uribe.
"I would emphasize the importance of the theme of the seminar: Interculturalism, society and education, - continued the TA President- To believe and proclaim interculturalism already implies a positive outlook to the human, knowing that the genuinely different should not be a difficulty but a call to discover, to open, to break the limits we had imposed on ourselves, perhaps without realizing it. To look 'sympathetically at everything human,' a path that the charism of the Teresian Association introduces us into, supports us to act with courage and earnestness in deed and in truth, as Poveda did. Let us look sympathetically at the different influences that have been built into who we are as individuals, as groups, as nations and to look with that same positive outlook that comes from other cultural traditions now living with us in plural societies, varied and rich where we live."
Enthusiasm and participation
The methodology of each day was framed by the enthusiasm and participation of each of the participants. Round tables, thematic workshops and working groups favored the exchange of experiences, deepening into the topics addressed, and the realization of several lines of work, which were articulated within the following framework: "Deepen, Systematize, Influence and Innovate "Susana Sacavino, Illuminada Rosario, Emma Melgarejo, Rina Lopez, Blanca Fuentes, Luz Helena Patarroyo, Toni Miranda, Vera Maria Candau, and Consuelo Gimeno participated in the round tables each day. They shared, from their experience, on the following issues: Globalization and multiculturalism: between the local and the global," “The Good Life " and intercultural processes and intercultural education: concepts, tensions and proposals. The workshops covered the following topics: construction of identities, youth culture, social movements, and pedagogical practices. They were always in dialogue with the intercultural perspective. They presented participants with issues and questions that enriched the seminar. "Interculturalism, conceived as political practice starts with the origins and the different approaches of the ‘Good Life.” “Interculturalism is an attitude. This project is epistemological, ethical and political. The difference is a pedagogical advantage,” were some of the statements. They differ from the relationships that are based on stereotypes, as these act negatively on intercultural processes.
Working Groups
According to participants, working groups formed around each of the workshops were very enriching. In each of these communications the working groups analyzed some issues in a rich discussion and debate. These were included in the conclusions of the Seminar. At the end some participants expressed their opinions and feelings about the proposal:
"It was an experience of building an intercultural dialogue from the realities and thought, a common horizon of mission and hope. I am excited about this diverse and dynamic face of the TA and the continental seminars of the Socio-Educational Project in America. How do I feel? Deeply grateful." Toni Miranda (USA)
"Participating in the continental seminar allowed me to strengthen the conviction that a better world is possible and we are not alone, that all of us will make utopia happen." Einer Jauregui (Peru)
"I am grateful for closely sharing in the charism of the TA embodied in this beautiful continent. It was a profound experience of re- encounters, new encounters, and, God willing, this will lay the foundations for future experiences to share the mission. I have better grasped the Socio-Educational Project in America and where it is at. I join deeply in the journey, accompanied by St. Pedro Poveda, Josefa Segovia, who had such hope for this continent, and Blessed Victoria Diez. And, trusting in Divine Providence, I am convinced that we will take significant steps in the realization of our dreams of transformation in our societies, from the perspective of the gospel and the kingdom of Jesus." Maria Rosa Elosúa of John (Spain)
The seminar was in itself an intercultural experience for the organizers, a shared reality from different countries, united by the mission of transforming reality through education and culture. "We have many dreams and do not stop dreaming, and some dreams even become a reality," (words of St. Pedro Poveda) “The dream of making critical multiculturalism a reality through the educational mission of the TA.”
Continental Seminar Conclusions "Interculturalism, Society and Education"(Download in Spanish)Full message by Maite Uribe, TA President (Download in Spanish)
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Information by Nidia Rivera Lopez, from Colombia