UC Dialoga 2023 brings “Interculturality” as the central theme
Interculturality can be seen reflected in the language, in customs, in the diversity of races. It is the “equitable presence and interaction of different cultures and the possibility of generating shared cultural expressions, through dialogue and mutual respect”, as defined by UNESCO.
In version number 10 of La UC Dialoga, the central theme will be interculturality, a concept that has already been touched on at the university, especially with the development of the UC Interculturality Program , which began in 2021.
“Pope Francis told us in Querida Amazonía, that from our roots we sit at the common table, a place of conversation and shared hopes. In this way, the difference that can be a flag or a border is transformed into a bridge. Identity and dialogue are not enemies. One’s own cultural identity takes root and is enriched in dialogue with those who are different. That is what we want to achieve in this UC Dialoga”, commented the rector Ignacio Sánchez.
“Identity and dialogue are not enemies. Cultural identity itself is rooted and enriched in dialogue with those who are different. That is what we want to achieve at this UC Dialoga” – Rector Ignacio Sánchez.
According to the 2017 Census, in Chile there are 2,185,792 people who declare themselves to belong to an original people; and there are 1,482,390 resident foreigners, according to the National Institute of Statistics (INE) and the Department of Immigration and Migration of the Ministry of the Interior, in 2021.
In UC, in 2021, 1,829 people from the foreign and migrant community were registered, considering professors, students and officials. In addition, last year, 5.7% of the students stated that they belonged to a native people. Along with the above, 1.4% of the professors, 5% of the administrative staff and 2.2% of the professionals have at least one of their surnames of Mapuche origin, according to the report of the UC Interculturality Program.
In UC, in 2021, 1,829 people from the foreign and migrant community were registered, considering professors, students and officials.
“Uniting traditions, integrating cultures” is the motto of La UC Dialoga that seeks to promote interculturality, share experiences, perspectives and ideas and promote positive and constructive coexistence with the international and migrant community, people belonging to native peoples, the Afro-descendant tribal people Chilean, etc.
The thematic axes that will be addressed in the conversation tables are: Intercultural communication: exchange of views for a diverse UC; intercultural coexistence: breaking stereotypes and prejudices; expression of identities: culture and beliefs; teaching and learning: assessment of knowledge and knowledge; promotion and intercultural development in a university environment.
At each dialogue table there will be a moderator who will explain one of the topics explained above. Along with that, it will collect the opinions, points of agreement and conclusions of each conversation to make a report.
“We hope that, as in previous versions, these tables in the courtyard where we will discuss in community, promote significant changes in our university environment, that contribute to recognizing and valuing interculturality as a central aspect of our university institution and that highlight the richness of Living together in a space where the different perspectives are important and make us unique”, said the rector Iganicio Sánchez.
This body has helped develop various initiatives. Some of them are the current university coexistence policy (2019), or the UC project focused on the well-being and mental health of the UC community for the reunion after the massive quarantines in the country (2021).
The meetings will be held on the five campuses of the university, between August 23 and 31, and the entire UC community can participate, from students, officials, academics, to alumni.
relevant dates
-Wednesday, August 23 at Casa Central.
-Thursday August 24 at Lo Contador/ Villarrica.
-Tuesday August 29 at Campus Oriente.
-Thursday August 31 in San Joaquin.