Intercultural Higher Education in Ecuador and Mexico. Disputes and trends

Abstract

This paper describes and analyses the possibilities and impossibilities of Intercultural Higher Education in Ecuador and Mexico from the viewpoint of relationships (conflicts / negotiations) between public education policy, as an embodiment of the educational project of the States, and institutions of intercultural higher education linked to indigenous social organizations. To do so, the paths of two institutions of intercultural higher education linked to indigenous organizations will be considered: the Universidad Intercultural de los Pueblos y Nacionalidades Indígenas Amawtay Wasi (UIAW) in Ecuador and the Universidad Intercultural de los Pueblos del Sur (UNISUR) in the State of Guerrero, Mexico. The paper proceeds in three steps. First, a general historical and theoretical framework to understand the models of diversity management and educational models, in order to contextualise the analysis and allow the location of similarities, differences and connections between Ecuador and Mexico. Second, a brief description of the trajectories of the two institutions characterised as experiences of higher education from below. Finally, to conclude and contribute to the debate, a short discussion of regional trends emerging in the field of intercultural higher education in Latin America today, drawing on our comparative exercise.