University decolonization: An under-construction experience on Latin America integration horizon

Abstract

This paper has the objective of sharing the results of the research named University, Political Education and Good Living: Study of Emerging Universities in Brazil (2003-2014), a qualitative research, collectively built, involving undergraduate and graduate students and teachers. It evolves four emerging universities: Federal University of Latin American Integration (UNILA); Federal University of Southern Bahia; Federal University of Southern Border and Federal University of Pampa. Findings related to UNILA are shared – an experience that promotes movements of decolonization of the university and of training process. One of the strengths ideas that have emerged in the analysis of the interviews are the New grammars which are the focus of the study. Fragments of the voices as narratives of the moment are considered, as well as official documents and a theoretical framework, in order to broaden and update the integration proposal in face of the current context. New grammars are considered as decolonial gaps that contribute to the bold proposal of Latin America integration as an unfolding Ecology of Knowledge (Santos, 2019), articulating interculturalities and interdisciplinarities, in connection with bilingualism. A challenging proposal that needs to be strengthened and constantly updated, aiming at a political education towards a “Good Living” (Eschenhagen, 2013) as a possible and necessary way to social quality.