Universidad Pedagógica Nacional

A Colombian university with extensive experience in training teachers and educators, which has formed its own response to the conflict by training specialists in conflict resolution and management. The university is especially keen to collaborate with other institutions carrying out similar work.

Overview

Universidad Pedagógica Nacional is exclusively pedagogical and essentially an educator of educators.

Universidad Pedagógica Nacional is the institution of higher education dedicated to the formation of teachers in different areas of knowledge and investigation. The university also aims to develop and disseminate national pedagogical thought linked to the cultural and scientific development of the country and to the current state of conflict.

The university was officially created through the Decree No. 0197 on 1st February 1955 as a female institution and in 1962 it acquired its mix and its status as a national-territorial institution.

The university has given the country approximately 35,000 educators.

Universidad Pedagógica Nacional has 5 faculties: Science and Technology, Fine Arts, Education, Physical Education, and Humanities.

What Services are Provided?

• Teaching;
• Investigation;
• Raising awareness in students, teachers and the university community in general;
• Academic publications;
• Educational training and workshops;
• Conferences and seminars; and
• Recreational spaces.

Geographical Area of Operation

Colombia

Funding Resources

Universidad Pedagógica Nacional is a public university with insufficient economic resources provided by the Colombian state.

The university and its initiatives suffer from serious financial difficulties.

Further funding information can be found in the University Development Plan

What Further Information would you like?

• Potential relationships with international organisations and universities that train and develop specialists in the areas of conflict management, conflict theory, and vulnerable communities; and
• Paths of communication that enable such specialists to go exactly where they are needed.

Funding resources are very important. Universidad Pedagógica Nacional has highly qualified human resources (students and teachers willing to cooperate), but needs minimum economic support to guarantee mobilisations and materials for investigation. It is worth clarifying and emphasising that Universidad Pedagógica Nacional already has the infrastructure, human resources and the experience, expertise and knowledge of what is going on in Colombia. However, it needs to coordinate with international organisations that have the same concerns and commitment to peace.

There is also a need for cooperation in the design and maintenance of web pages. International organisations have the potential to facilitate the initiatives of Universidad Pedagógica Nacional by making them more visible at the international level. You cannot work alone, especially in peace-building.

The university also requires information about using the academic structure to keep on transmitting the reflections, achievements and learning points of its initiatives. International organisations can also help with this by giving feedback, support and serving as a communication channel.

What New Contacts would you like to make?

Funding agencies, international organisations and/or universities eager to work together.

Universidad Pedagógica Nacional has not been able to do much with other organisations because international organisations have their own representatives helping to organise NGOs in Colombia. All of the international funding resources and support go to this purpose.

Associated Organisations

• National universities, including Universidad Nacional, Universidad Distrital;
• Human rights NGOs; and
• Centres and institutions of higher education.