Interculturalidad en la Educación Superior: Discursos y Prácticas

In Ecuador, interculturality in higher education is an issue that is increasingly present in political, social and academic discussions. This interest is reflected in convergences and tensions that arise between the actors involved, such as the State, social organizations and universities. In this study, we analyze how interculturality in higher education is proposed by the three actors and how it takes shape in the university scenario. It seeks to analyze interculturality in higher education in Ecuador, examining the convergences and tensions that arise between the discourses and practices of the State, the organizations of peoples and nationalities, and the universities. The research is qualitative and the techniques used were documentary analysis and semi-structured interviews with: authorities of the Higher Education System (SES), SENESCYT, CES and CACES; leaders of social organizations such as CONAIE, FENOCIN, CONAFRO and FEINE; and authorities of three universities, UCE, UPS and UINPIAW. The aspects that guided the research for the collection of information and analysis were: conception of interculturality, access, permanence, teaching, research and linkage. Some relevant findings were: the legal framework of higher education promotes interculturality partially and without effective regulations for its implementation; the demands of social organizations regarding the SES are not limited to the following aspects: the concept of interculturality, access, permanence, teaching, research and linkage. Some relevant findings were: the legal framework of higher education promotes interculturality partially and without effective regulations for its implementation; the demands of social organizations regarding the SES are not limited to the recognition of cultural diversity, or to aspects such as access, but refer to a true transformation towards an intercultural and plurinational SES; interculturality in universities is located in specific aspects of educational processes, but is not a transversal axis. Thus, intercultural and plurinational higher education is a project under construction, driven mainly by indigenous, Afro-Ecuadorian and Montubio organizations, in the midst of still imprecise and insufficient state policies, reflected in the university.