Ethnic approach

Enfoque étnico

The following document is conceived as a reflexive exercise about the concept and/or meaning of the Ethnic Differential Focus, and also as a useful guideline for the public and private institutions, and the organizations that work with Black Communities, Afro-Colombian, native islanders “Raizales” and “Palenquera” Communities, in order for them to know and apply the Differential Focus in their different plans, programs and projects.

This publication pretends to highlights the African-descent culture vitality; experts from around the world have developed some important studies concerning the different Colombian Black communities’ material and cultural aspects, such as the relationship between communities and territory, nature and the ethnic identities.

This publication looks forward to visualize the adaptability of the Differential Focus, oriented to specific black population, Afro-Colombian, native islanders and “Palenqueras” population, such as children, adolescents, young, women, men, elderly, persons with disabilities and LGBTI.

In order to achieve that, it has been necessary to retake or contemplate some considerations and documents that notice the conflict and vulnerability situation in which these communities are exposed, mostly because of the armed conflict and the violence that affect the development processes. It is expected that all the agencies that work on benefit of these populations find this this document helpful.