Colombianitude

Thank you very much for your interest in this writing and, hopefully, for trusting that the ideas presented here may contribute to reflection and action.In order to best express the “pride of being Colombian” and what that means and commits us, as Colombians, to the exercise of our idiosyncrasy and aspirations as natives of this country, I have taken the liberty of coining the term “Colombianitud” (Colombian identity or the essence of being Colombian), which does not appear in the Royal Spanish Academy’s Dictionary nor in the Diccionario de Colombianismos, but which I believe best expresses the integration of the character, strength, expectations, virtues, and even weaknesses of those born in this land. I have written this essay because, for the past three decades, I have been aware that we are facing a crucial moment in human history, where, rather than focusing solely on obstacles and threats, it is imperative to see opportunities to guarantee and build an assertive future. This will only be possible through an education accessible to all—education of quality and relevance— that fosters critical thinking, context, and character, allowing current and future generations to build their future based on their needs and expectations, free from prejudice, impositions, or external paradigms.