University Without Walls: Dialogue of Knowledges as a Principle of Institutional Transformation

This article analyzes the concept of Dialogue of Knowledges (Diálogo de Saberes) as a guiding principle for university management and governance, based on UNESCO’s conceptual frameworks and the Latin American experience in diverse institutional contexts. Dialogue of Knowledges is understood as a practice that promotes the coexistence of different epistemologies, integrating scientific, traditional, and popular knowledge to overcome the fragmentation between academic fields, institutional functions, and teaching modalities. The theoretical reflection is grounded in Global South authors and seeks to respond to the challenges of professionalizing university leadership, articulating epistemic diversity, intercultural listening, and democratic innovation. The article discusses the implications of this approach for building more inclusive, ethical, and socially engaged institutional models. The study offers insights for redesigning organizational cultures in higher education and for formulating leadership training policies aligned with the public mission of universities.