Building Knowledge Through Intercultural Dialogue

During the development of some scientific projects in Latin America, the rights of Indigenous peoples have been historically overlooked, negatively affecting their territories, cultural autonomy, and worldviews. In response to this challenge, the Social Appropriation of Knowledge (SAK) has emerged as a participatory and ethical strategy that promotes intercultural dialogue between researchers and communities, aiming to construct knowledge in culturally respectful ways. Between 2020 and 2024, the University of Tolima and the University of Amazonia (UT-UA Alliance) engaged in a collaborative process with four Indigenous communities in Colombia: Wayuú, Pijao, Uitoto, and Korebaju. This initiative aimed to strengthen and create SAK strategies that support research development while fostering reflection and dialogue around topics such as health, science, and culture. Through participatory community dialogues and educational tools, tailored SAK strategies were implemented in accordance with each community’s ancestral knowledge and sociocultural dynamics. This article presents a qualitative and critical analysis of these strategies, focusing on the ethical challenges encountered, lessons learned, and the best practices identified throughout the process. Our findings highlight the importance of building knowledge with communities rather than about them, emphasizing principles of respect, equity, and reciprocity. This experience contributes to the understanding of how research can become a tool for empowerment and mutual learning when guided by culturally sensitive and ethically grounded methodologies.