“When we create public policies with a differential approach, we stimulate a collective conscience.”

The need for a differential approach. On February 7, 2022, Dr. Mabel Gisela Torres joined a public policy dialogue with leaders and members of the academic community at Howard University to celebrate Black History Month. She made a positive impact on Colombia’s 31 departments during her tenure as the country’s 1st Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation.

Dr. Torres created three inclusive programs with a differential approach for Afro-descendant populations by tailoring their Terms of References to their specific needs and taking into consideration their geographic location, gender, ethnic and racial characteristics. She stated that decision making positions are important to facilitate the implementation of public policies and projects. These public policies are not supposed to be just technical; they also need to be built with the hearts, feelings and connections to the populations where they are going to be implemented..

“If you don't know a territory, you can't build a public policy that is appropriate for that territory. When we create and build public policies that are inclusive and designed with a differential approach, we begin to stimulate a collective conscience,” she explained.

**“It creates discomfort in some people, but we have to do it because the conditions of many populations are not the same and the information does not reach many of them the same way either.”**

Minister Torres highlighted the importance talking about including and showcasing the work with afro-descendant populations in her region to make them visible. Although it is difficult to discuss inequities because it creates discomfort in some people, we have to do it because the conditions of many populations are not the same and the information does not reach many of them the same way either.