First Symposia by Fulbright: held in Cartagena de Indias
On February 19 and 20, the meeting “Challenges and Opportunities for Coastal Cities” was held at the Technological University of Bolívar, thanks to a partnership between the IDEEAS Institute, the Social Group Foundation, the Pontifical Xavierian University, Columbia University, and the Pro Ciénaga Alliance. This space was the first of five planned as part of the 2026 Cohort of Symposia by Fulbright.
During two days of intense academic programming, experts analyzed the structural challenges facing Cartagena and the department of Bolívar in the face of rapid urbanization. The discussion focused particularly on the Ciénaga de la Virgen, a strategic ecosystem for the environmental and social sustainability of the city.
The panelists agreed that, in addition to nature-based solutions and traditional infrastructure measures, the greatest challenge is not technical but institutional and social: achieving consensus among government, community, and private actors to build a shared vision for the city.
The program included panels on public policy, community experiences, and research advances related to the Ciénaga de la Virgen. The conclusions were clear: the challenges facing coastal cities cannot be addressed through fragmented approaches; a structural transformation is required that combines socio-environmental justice, democratic governance, and ecosystem renewal.
A network for transforming knowledge into action
The main outcome of the symposium was the announcement of the creation of a network designed to serve as a permanent forum for coordination between academia, the business sector, social organizations, and communities. Its purpose will be to co-create knowledge and generate sustainable solutions to the environmental, social, and economic challenges associated with urban water bodies.
This network marks the beginning of a new phase of collaboration aimed at transforming knowledge into action, promoting ecological restoration processes, and fostering participatory governance that contributes to more resilient development for Cartagena.
Territorial recognition
The second day ended with a working group focused on identifying institutional, regulatory, and social gaps and tensions that hinder territorial governance.
The symposium closed with a socio-environmental reconnaissance tour of the Ciénaga de la Virgen, guided by local managers from Comuna Seis, which allowed attendees to observe firsthand the ecosystem dynamics, urban challenges, and restoration opportunities of this body of water that is fundamental to the future of Cartagena.
Global vision and local challenges
With this meeting, Symposia by Fulbright consolidates its commitment to strengthening interdisciplinary dialogue and international cooperation as key tools for addressing global challenges from a local perspective.
What is Symposia by Fulbright?
As part of “Freedom 250,” the commemoration of the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence of the United States of America, Symposia by Fulbright is an initiative of the Fulbright Commission Colombia that promotes academic exchange and scientific collaboration between Colombia and the United States.
Through symposiums led by interinstitutional consortia, researchers, and former Fulbright scholars, the program strengthens interdisciplinary dialogue in strategic areas such as science, technology, innovation, and sustainable development. In addition, it provides financial and logistical support for the implementation of each proposal selected in its call for proposals, fostering lasting partnerships and knowledge networks between both countries.
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