Lessons and challenges of the affirmative policy: actions of redistribution and recognition for Indigenous people at the Universidad del Valle, Cali-Colombia

Abstract

In the field of public policies, the design of actions to reduce inequality and discrimination gaps among ethnic populations is being studied in different scenarios or sectors. In response to this, for two years, qualitative research was developed, which, with the use of ethnographic and documentary techniques, inquired about the trajectory of the Universidad del Valle in the implementation of affirmative actions, which are considered compensatory measures to promote equal opportunities, especially in access to higher education and employment. Thus, several questions arise: what is the background to affirmative action in higher education for indigenous populations? ¿What are the lessons learned from affirmative action policies, redistribution, and recognition actions? And how have these political actions mitigated or diminished the problems of indigenous students' access, permanence, and graduation at the Universidad del Valle?

Among the findings, it was found that the Universidad del Valle was the first institution of Higher Education institution in southwestern Colombia to implement affirmative action. One of them was the recognition and guarantees that exist for the University Indigenous Council and another is the establishment of the Ethnic Affairs Area attached to the University Welfare unit; along with a series of rules that guarantee the admission, permanence, and graduation of the indigenous population in the ten campuses of this university.