SAN CARLOS, VENEZUELA – With the steadfast purpose of preserving the cultural identity and traditional knowledge of indigenous peoples, the II Trinational Encounter of Ancestral Knowledge took place from September 29 to October 1. The event brought together educators from Colombia, Brazil, and Venezuela, consolidating a border space dedicated to pedagogical and cultural exchange to enhance classrooms across the region.
During the three days, participants worked in dialogue circles and developed pilot practices with innovative pedagogical tools, most notably the ecological calendar. This tool enables the recovery and preservation of native knowledge in harmony with the cycles of nature, successfully integrating the indigenous worldview into the curricula required by the ministries of education of each country.
Spiritual Renewal and Network Leadership
A significant part of the event was a mystical moment dedicated to renewing the spirit and vocation of educators through prayer. During this moving ceremony, a profound message of encouragement was proclaimed to the Amazonian teacher:
«Teacher of the Amazon, guardian of the rainforest and of hope: You return to your community not with empty hands, but with an expanded maloca of knowledge. You are the river that brings life, you are the seed that germinates in the minds of your boys and girls. May the current not extinguish your fire, may the distance not weaken your network. Fly high like the macaw, stand firm like the ceiba tree, and teach with the heart of the river!»
This second edition was made possible through the collaboration of networks and organizations that currently support the peoples of the Amazon, including: Fe y Alegría – Colombia, represented by Sabrina Burgos; Sr. Lisette Escárate, H.D.M., coordinator of the REIBA/CEAMA volunteer program; Lic. Getulio Gómez; Fr. Fernando López, SJ, representing the Itinerant Team; also counting on the essential support of the Spínola Foundation network, through Sr. María Fuentes and Mariela Romano.
Evaluation and Outlook: Weaving Networks from the Territory
The final day of the encounter featured a collective evaluation session. Teachers and leaders addressed key questions regarding the lessons learned, practical application proposals, the desire to remain connected, an overall assessment, and areas for improvement. Among the most resonant responses that shaped the event’s conclusions were:
- Deep gratitude for the exchange of knowledge and the experiences of the cultural night.
- A widespread feeling among the teachers, who expressed leaving moved, enthusiastic, and with a strong desire to put what they learned into practice.
- A firm commitment to continuing international learning sessions to keep weaving Pan-Amazonian networks.
- Proposals focused on the logistics of the network’s growth, highlighting the importance of improving punctuality in future sessions.
- The geographic relevance of key border towns, such as Cucuí, Brazil, which are essential for the continuity of these bonds.
