{"id":40555,"date":"2026-02-27T14:11:17","date_gmt":"2026-02-27T20:11:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.catie.ac.cr\/?p=40555"},"modified":"2026-02-27T14:13:55","modified_gmt":"2026-02-27T20:13:55","slug":"catie-impulsa-dialogo-nacional-para-reducir-las-brechas-en-la-educacion-superior-en-los-territorios-indigenas-de-costa-rica","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.catie.ac.cr\/en\/2026\/02\/27\/catie-impulsa-dialogo-nacional-para-reducir-las-brechas-en-la-educacion-superior-en-los-territorios-indigenas-de-costa-rica\/","title":{"rendered":"CATIE promotes national dialogue to reduce gaps in higher education in Indigenous territories of Costa Rica"},"content":{"rendered":"<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li><em><em><em><em>The workshop shared the results of a case study on access, retention, and graduation conditions of the Indigenous population in higher education in Costa Rica and highlighted the differentiated barriers faced by Indigenous women.<\/em><\/em><\/em><\/em><\/li><\/ul><p class=\"translation-block\">On February 17, CATIE (Tropical Agricultural Research and Higher Education Center) held a workshop to present the results of the diagnostic study on the educational trajectories of Indigenous people in higher education institutions, within the framework of the regional project <em>\u201cTowards the construction of inclusion policies for Indigenous peoples, especially women, in higher education institutions and academic research in Central America.\u201d<\/em><\/p><p>The project is led by the Centro de Investigaciones y Estudios Superiores en Antropolog\u00eda Social (CIESAS) of Mexico, with funding from the International Development Research Centre (IDRC) of Canada. In Costa Rica, the initiative is coordinated by CATIE, while in Guatemala it involves the Universidad del Valle de Guatemala and in Belize the Galen University.<br><\/p><figure class=\"wp-block-gallery has-nested-images columns-default is-cropped wp-block-gallery-1 is-layout-flex wp-block-gallery-is-layout-flex\"><figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"850\" height=\"559\" data-id=\"40558\" src=\"https:\/\/www.catie.ac.cr\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/educacion-superior2.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-40558\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.catie.ac.cr\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/educacion-superior2.jpg 850w, https:\/\/www.catie.ac.cr\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/educacion-superior2-300x197.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.catie.ac.cr\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/educacion-superior2-768x505.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.catie.ac.cr\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/educacion-superior2-18x12.jpg 18w, https:\/\/www.catie.ac.cr\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/educacion-superior2-600x395.jpg 600w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 850px) 100vw, 850px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"850\" height=\"553\" data-id=\"40559\" src=\"https:\/\/www.catie.ac.cr\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/educacion-superior3.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-40559\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.catie.ac.cr\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/educacion-superior3.jpg 850w, https:\/\/www.catie.ac.cr\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/educacion-superior3-300x195.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.catie.ac.cr\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/educacion-superior3-768x500.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.catie.ac.cr\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/educacion-superior3-18x12.jpg 18w, https:\/\/www.catie.ac.cr\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/educacion-superior3-600x390.jpg 600w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 850px) 100vw, 850px\" \/><\/figure><\/figure><p><br>The diagnostic study analyzed educational trajectories at four key stages: admission, retention, dropout, and graduation, and assessed the influence of individual, family-community, and institutional factors. The research combined quantitative data with interviews conducted with individuals from 23 Indigenous territories and from Sixaola.<\/p><div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"alignright size-full is-resized\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"319\" height=\"709\" src=\"https:\/\/www.catie.ac.cr\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/educacion-superior4.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-40560\" style=\"aspect-ratio:0.44993836004398097;width:266px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.catie.ac.cr\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/educacion-superior4.jpg 319w, https:\/\/www.catie.ac.cr\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/educacion-superior4-135x300.jpg 135w, https:\/\/www.catie.ac.cr\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/educacion-superior4-5x12.jpg 5w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 319px) 100vw, 319px\" \/><\/figure><\/div><p>The findings show that exclusion does not stem from isolated situations, but rather from structural conditions within the education system. Of the 49 individuals interviewed, only 8% graduated from university and 12% dropped out. In addition, 45% of those who enrolled had to leave their territory to continue their academic education.<\/p><p>Among the main barriers identified are the geographic distance to university campuses, socioeconomic conditions, limited connectivity, unequal quality of secondary education in Indigenous territories, the complexity and limited support in administrative procedures, and persistent racism. Twenty-eight percent of respondents reported having experienced discrimination due to their language, 22% due to their physical features, and 18% within academic spaces.<\/p><p>The study also highlights that Indigenous women face \u201ctriple discrimination\u201d associated with their ethnic origin, gender, and socioeconomic condition. Traditional expectations related to caregiving and domestic work, combined with forced migration to pursue studies, increase the likelihood of academic dropout. In this regard, the need for specific measures was emphasized, such as differentiated scholarships, childcare services, flexible schedules, and effective anti-discrimination protocols.<\/p><p>The workshop brought together 34 representatives from Indigenous organizations and student movements, public universities (UCR, UNA, TEC, and UNED) and private institutions (Universidad EARTH), state institutions, and international organizations. Participants validated the findings and worked in dialogue groups to build joint solutions and define concrete contributions that they expressed they could promote in the short term to begin implementing them.<\/p><p>\u201cIndigenous education is not a gift from the State; it is the right for our roots to flourish in classrooms. We are not here to follow a predetermined path, but to build together a path where all voices can defend the right to Indigenous education. It means understanding that the classroom must speak more than one language and feel more than one culture. The future of our education is not dictated; it is built hand in hand, together, community by community,\u201d said Rebeca Quir\u00f3s, an Indigenous woman who participated in the workshop.<br><\/p><figure class=\"wp-block-gallery has-nested-images columns-default is-cropped wp-block-gallery-2 is-layout-flex wp-block-gallery-is-layout-flex\"><figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"850\" height=\"524\" data-id=\"40561\" src=\"https:\/\/www.catie.ac.cr\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/educacion-superior5.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-40561\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.catie.ac.cr\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/educacion-superior5.jpg 850w, https:\/\/www.catie.ac.cr\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/educacion-superior5-300x185.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.catie.ac.cr\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/educacion-superior5-768x473.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.catie.ac.cr\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/educacion-superior5-18x12.jpg 18w, https:\/\/www.catie.ac.cr\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/educacion-superior5-600x370.jpg 600w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 850px) 100vw, 850px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"850\" height=\"521\" data-id=\"40562\" src=\"https:\/\/www.catie.ac.cr\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/educacion-superior6.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-40562\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.catie.ac.cr\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/educacion-superior6.jpg 850w, https:\/\/www.catie.ac.cr\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/educacion-superior6-300x184.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.catie.ac.cr\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/educacion-superior6-768x471.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.catie.ac.cr\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/educacion-superior6-18x12.jpg 18w, https:\/\/www.catie.ac.cr\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/educacion-superior6-600x368.jpg 600w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 850px) 100vw, 850px\" \/><\/figure><\/figure><p><br>Cristina Fueres and William Menchu, who led the workshop on behalf of CATIE, noted that reducing gaps in higher education requires sustained collaborative work among communities, universities, and public institutions, with each actor assuming a concrete commitment.<\/p><p>\u201cI congratulate CATIE for this first step, for beginning to address an issue that concerns Indigenous territories and peoples,\u201d stated Thal\u00eda Jim\u00e9nez, an Indigenous woman who participated in the workshop.<\/p><p>As next steps, CATIE will systematize the results of the process. Based on this, CATIE will facilitate relevant connections and coordination among local actors and institutions capable of contributing to each prioritized solution and will organize a new meeting together with the Subcommission on Peoples and Territories of CONARE in order to ensure follow-up on the proposed actions.<br><\/p><figure class=\"wp-block-gallery has-nested-images columns-2 is-cropped wp-block-gallery-3 is-layout-flex wp-block-gallery-is-layout-flex\"><figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"850\" height=\"528\" data-id=\"40565\" src=\"https:\/\/www.catie.ac.cr\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/educacion-superior7.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-40565\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.catie.ac.cr\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/educacion-superior7.jpg 850w, https:\/\/www.catie.ac.cr\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/educacion-superior7-300x186.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.catie.ac.cr\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/educacion-superior7-768x477.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.catie.ac.cr\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/educacion-superior7-18x12.jpg 18w, https:\/\/www.catie.ac.cr\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/educacion-superior7-600x373.jpg 600w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 850px) 100vw, 850px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"850\" height=\"506\" data-id=\"40563\" src=\"https:\/\/www.catie.ac.cr\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/educacion-superior9.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-40563\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.catie.ac.cr\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/educacion-superior9.jpg 850w, https:\/\/www.catie.ac.cr\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/educacion-superior9-300x179.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.catie.ac.cr\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/educacion-superior9-768x457.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.catie.ac.cr\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/educacion-superior9-18x12.jpg 18w, https:\/\/www.catie.ac.cr\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/educacion-superior9-600x357.jpg 600w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 850px) 100vw, 850px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"850\" height=\"525\" data-id=\"40564\" src=\"https:\/\/www.catie.ac.cr\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/educacion-superior8.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-40564\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.catie.ac.cr\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/educacion-superior8.jpg 850w, https:\/\/www.catie.ac.cr\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/educacion-superior8-300x185.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.catie.ac.cr\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/educacion-superior8-768x474.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.catie.ac.cr\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/educacion-superior8-18x12.jpg 18w, https:\/\/www.catie.ac.cr\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/educacion-superior8-600x371.jpg 600w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 850px) 100vw, 850px\" \/><\/figure><\/figure><p><br><\/p><div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-9d6595d7 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\"><div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:50%\"><p><strong>More information:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n<p>Mariela Leandro<br>CIESAS-CATIE Project Coordinator<br>CATIE<br><a href=\"mailto:mleandro@catie.ac.cr\">mleandro@catie.ac.cr<\/a><\/p>\n\n<p>Karina Poveda Coto<br>Coordinator, Women, Rural Youth and Indigenous Communities Thematic Area<br>CATIE<br>Karina.poveda@catie.ac.cr<\/p>\n\n<p>Cristina Fueres<br>Technical Team, CATIE<br><a href=\"mailto:cristina.fueres@catie.ac.cr\">cristina.fueres@catie.ac.cr<\/a><\/p>\n\n<p>William Menchu<br>Technical Team, CATIE<br><a href=\"mailto:william.menchu@catie.ac.cr\">william.menchu@catie.ac.cr<\/a><\/p><\/div>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:50%\"><p><strong>Written by:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n<p>Karla Salazar Leiva<br>Communicator<br>Communications and Marketing Office<br>CATIE<br><a href=\"mailto:salazark@catie.ac.cr\">salazark@catie.ac.cr<\/a><\/p><\/div><\/div><p><\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>El 17 de febrero, el CATIE (Centro Agron\u00f3mico Tropical de Investigaci\u00f3n y Ense\u00f1anza) realiz\u00f3 el taller de socializaci\u00f3n de resultados del diagn\u00f3stico sobre las trayectorias educativas de personas ind\u00edgenas en instituciones de educaci\u00f3n superior, en el marco del proyecto regional &hellip; 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