3.4. Exploration of Cultural Differences. Readings

Understanding Cultural Intelligences through a Decolonial Lens

Decolonial studies challenge dominant Eurocentric frameworks and encourage a rethinking of history, knowledge, and identity from the standpoint of the Global South. Rather than relying on single-axis analyses, this approach integrates intersectional dimensions - such as race, gender, class, and geography - revealing the complexity of how societies function. It emphasizes the autonomy, agency, and epistemic contributions of historically marginalized communities, promoting what has been called the re-existence and re-signification of life.

A decolonial perspective questions the notion of a universal truth and instead fosters dialogue between diverse local histories and ways of knowing. It nurtures awareness of the interconnected and interdependent nature of all beings, encouraging educators to adopt a more holistic and inclusive view of cultural intelligence in their teaching and research practices. Inspired by Walter Mignolo and Catherine E. Walsh’s reflections in On Decoloniality: Concepts, Analytics, Praxis (2018), the concept of pluriversal and interversal paths refers to the creation of multiple, interconnected ways of thinking and being that challenge the idea of a single, dominant worldview. These paths aim to disrupt the traditional notion of the “universal” or “global” by recognizing diverse local knowledges, experiences, and perspectives as equally valid and necessary for understanding the world.