Abstract
Inspired by the human development values and capability approach that are in tune with its ethos, the Universidad de Ibagué developed a participatory process to build a comprehensive capabilities list for the university community and the external actors that cooperate with it. As a private institution serving a region beset by conflict, the university feels a responsibility to cultivate leaders who can help the community. During this process, stakeholders created a list following a rigorous methodology and using other higher education capabilities lists. As a result, the different actors participating in the process (executive leadership of the university, researchers conducting the process, internal and external participants) expanded their own epistemic capability and at least four other capabilities. This is an innovative proposal for higher education in both the global North and South that also enhances cognitive justice to promote more democratic and fair societies.
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Notes
- 1.
Colombia is politically divided into departments.
- 2.
The Founders’ Board is the highest authority of the university. The members are elected by the current members by simple majority. The Founders’ Board elects the members of the Superior Board and the University President.
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Acknowledgements
This chapter was inspired by the vibrant community of Universidad de Ibagué. The Rector, executive leadership, faculty members, students, administrative staff, general services staff, social organisations based all over Tolima, and business men and women were part of the capabilities list construction and saw an opportunity to raise their voice in a participatory policy-building process. To all of the participants, our greatest and special recognition. The Institute Pensad and the group of researchers that designed the whole methodology and data analysis with us were fundamental. The list construction would not have been possible without the vibrant and thoughtful contribution of Hernán López, Julio Mazorco, Carol Peña, Sergio Monroy, and Jonh Viasus. Also a special recognition to Jamith Hernández, who supported the entire process as a research assistant. Finally, Nidia Chaparro, former Provost of the University and sociologist, helped the group in different stages of the data analysis and to have the final version of the capabilities list. Alejandra Boni would like to thank the BEST/2019 Programme of the Generalitat Valenciana for the economic support to be in Colombia during the field work and the Network Mulibien (granted by CYTED programme) for its financial support to discuss the results of this research.
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Velasco, D., Boni, A. (2020). Expanding Epistemic Capability in Participatory Decision-Making Processes: The Universidad de Ibagué Capabilities List. In: Walker, M., Boni, A. (eds) Participatory Research, Capabilities and Epistemic Justice. Palgrave Macmillan, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-56197-0_2
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