Dialogue of knowledge

The approach of the XVII Colombian Congress of Occupational Therapy

Abstract

This editorial presents the epistemological and methodological approach of the XVII Colombian Congress of Occupational Therapy, to be held from September 18 to 20, 2025, in Bucaramanga, Santander. The Congress is conceived as a pluralistic meeting platform to strengthen professional practice through diverse forms of knowledge and practice across various territories. Four thematic axes are proposed to reflect on and critically engage with the history, growth, and development of the profession: health, primary health care and public health; technology, innovation, and autonomy; history, epistemology, political action, and emerging practices; and everyday life in rural and urban contexts. The methodological approach, rooted in the dialogue of knowledges and positioned in contrast to hierarchical and standardized formats, includes three modalities: oral presentations, image or visual representations, art, and other forms of cultural expression within professional practice. Professionals, students, and educators are invited to participate in the Congress to continue weaving a living, critical, and deeply socially committed profession that responds to the country’s realities.