MULTICULTURALISM IN EDUCATION: CHALLENGES AND PERSPECTIVES FOR VALUING DIVERSITY IN HUMAN DEVELOPMENT

Abstract

Multiculturalism occupies a central position in contemporary educational debates by emphasizing the recognition and appreciation of cultural diversity as fundamental principles for the construction of democratic and inclusive education. This study aims to analyze the contributions of multiculturalism to education, discussing its theoretical foundations, its implications for the school curriculum, the construction of cultural identities, and teacher education. This is a qualitative study based on a structured bibliographic literature review, drawing on books, scientific articles, legislation, and academic documents published between 2002 and 2025. The literature search was conducted in national and international databases using previously established criteria for the selection and analysis of publications. The findings indicate that multiculturalism goes beyond the mere acceptance of differences, constituting a critical perspective aimed at addressing historical inequalities and promoting social justice. It is concluded that the effective implementation of multicultural education depends on the articulation of public policies, curriculum organization, initial and continuing teacher education, and pedagogical practices committed to equity, intercultural dialogue, and the appreciation of cultural diversity.