Diversity in Mexico: Towards an Intercultural Model

Written on 24 January 2026. Posted in News

BY ELIAS ANGELES-HERNANDEZ FOR INDIGENOUS DEBATES

The form of multiculturalism adopted at the end of the 20th century through a constitutional reform has proved insufficient. In many ways, it emphasised differences through a type of recognition that does not encourage meaningful interaction among the various sectors of society. It is therefore essential to consider alternative approaches to managing diversity if the goal is to build a more democratic, fair and inclusive society. In the 21st century, interculturality highlights the need for coexistence in diversity based on dialogue, equality and mutual learning.

The vulnerability, discrimination and marginalisation faced by Indigenous Peoples in Mexico make it necessary to rethink their relationship with the State. This remains true even after the September 2024 reforms, which granted Indigenous Peoples the status of subjects of public law—a recognition that should, in theory, provide them with broader scope for action on several fronts. These constitutional amendments reinforce, to some extent, the reforms enacted in 1992 and 2001 and grant Indigenous Peoples a set of collective rights. Yet it is equally clear that these measures have proved insufficient and have not contributed effectively to resolving the challenges that these peoples continue to endure.

In this regard, reforms alone are not enough, nor can they produce results simply by being enacted, unless they are supported by policies, models or strategies capable of bridging the gap between the lived realities of Indigenous Peoples and the provisions of the law. The issue is straightforward: if existing policies are failing to deliver the expected outcomes, it is necessary to move towards others that offer broader and more effective results. To date, the cultural pluralism or diversity recognised in the Federal Constitution has remained largely symbolic, as the daily reality continues to be marked by poverty, racism, involuntary migration and the loss of ancestral territories.

For this reason, once constitutional reforms recognising Indigenous rights have been adopted—something that may be regarded as a first step—it becomes essential to question whether the current model for managing diversity, namely multiculturalism, is fulfilling its intended objectives. Or whether, in fact, it is being overtaken by a social reality in which cultural diversity and the increasingly active presence of Indigenous Peoples, both nationally and internationally, have become the rule rather than the exception.

The Rise of Multiculturalism

When it comes to the situation of Indigenous peoples in Mexico, multiculturalism has been unable to address their longstanding challenges. Their rights, territories and cultural practices continue to be violated. Although multiculturalism was implemented in the 1990s, largely through constitutional reforms, the model entered into crisis partly because it never moved beyond the simple acknowledgement of a fact that was both self-evident and long ignored: the country’s cultural diversity.

While the multiculturalist approach was, at the time, regarded as the most suitable option, it was also perceived as a threat to the nation-state. The belief —still present today— was that the coexistence of multiple cultures within the same national space could weaken the presumed national unity and political and social stability. Ultimately, the intercultural model has shown that a formally recognised multicultural reality is not, in itself, synonymous with meaningful coexistence among diverse peoples and cultures sharing the same territory.

We do not, of course, wish to downplay the achievements of multiculturalism, as the constitutional recognition of cultural diversity in 1992 was far from a minor milestone. Nevertheless, acknowledging cultural differences and alternative ways of understanding reality has not been enough. In many ways, multicultural policy ended up reinforcing differences through a form of recognition that did not foster interaction among the various sectors of society. Consequently, considering alternative models for managing diversity is not optional; it is essential if the aim is to build a more democratic, just and inclusive society.

In this regard, the emerging paradigm that presents itself as a genuine alternative is interculturality. By this, we do not mean interculturality as mere interpersonal exchange or as a political slogan devoid of engagement with real problems. Rather, we refer to interculturality as a dynamic approach or process that seeks to engage with the diverse forms of expression that coexist within a shared environment. Achieving this requires interest, mutual learning and a deeper understanding of the needs, traditions, practices and customs of different groups. In short, it calls for a genuine commitment to understanding other ways of life.

Interculturality: A New Paradigm

Interculturality is becoming increasingly necessary in light of the limits and deficiencies that multiculturalism has shown in Mexico, particularly in the way the State relates to Indigenous Peoples. In practical terms, interculturality may be understood as a model for managing diversity that argues for both the possibility and the necessity of achieving a higher level of coexistence among different social groups, grounded in dialogue and constructive interaction.

It is a dynamic approach that goes beyond merely recognising and accepting the existence of diverse social groups within a shared environment. Rather, it is a way of life — a way of living interculturally. From another perspective, it represents an aspiration towards a form of coexistence based on the acceptance of difference, one that requires the interaction of heterogeneous cultures within the same social space.

It entails, as noted above, the recognition and understanding of other cultural expressions, mutual respect, an increased capacity for communication and interaction with people from different cultural backgrounds, as well as the ongoing promotion of attitudes and actions that strengthen cultural diversity. As an emerging paradigm, interculturality is characterised as a comprehensive model that takes into account elements that go beyond merely making discrepancies visible.

Interculturality is not based solely on the simple inclusion of “others”: it implies a structural and constructive transformation in which dialogue and interaction enable greater participation and acceptance. In this sense, minority groups are not pressured or influenced to move away from, abandon, or dilute their customs, traditions, and other cultural traits. Rather, it refers to the intercommunication among diverse forms of knowledge in a way that allows each to maintain its own identity, grounded in a critical and respectful attitude towards both one’s own culture and that of others.

Towards an Intercultural Horizon

In Mexico, public policies have largely focused on intercultural education. However, there has been little in-depth engagement with the situation of Indigenous Peoples from a truly intercultural perspective. Broadly speaking, there is limited awareness of the conditions in which they live, highlighting the need to adopt an intercultural approach. In addressing cultural diversity, interculturality emphasises mutual experience, cooperation, exchange, and dialogue between the State and Indigenous Peoples, fostering a form of coexistence enriched by diverse worldviews and ways of thinking.

This model seeks interaction between cultures in a manner that allows them to preserve their cultural identities through an open, inclusive, and proactive stance within a framework of peaceful coexistence, moving beyond the simplistic majority–minority dichotomy. It represents a necessary step towards transcending a multicultural reality that, until now, has largely limited itself to recognising inequalities without addressing them. Accordingly, it is essential to strive for an intercultural horizon in which diverse expressions and cultural manifestations coexist and mutually enrich one another.

In other words, interculturality is not fulfilled merely by recognising and respecting cultural diversity within a shared environment; it seeks to achieve a deeper level of understanding through a critical stance grounded in equality and tolerance. It involves the possibility of building bonds of understanding between these groups with the aim of fostering cultural fraternity and freedom. It promotes an attitude of appreciation and respect for diverse cultural expressions. In a sense, it represents a shift from authoritarian approaches towards the creation of channels of communication between the Western world and Indigenous Peoples.

The formal recognition of cultural diversity must not remain limited to ceremonial acts. It requires addressing the real demands of these peoples, fulfilling a series of ethical and political commitments both domestically and internationally. It is important to remember that Mexico is a signatory to various international instruments that recognise and require the enforcement of Indigenous rights. Interculturality entails responding to the needs and demands for development, justice, and even the survival of this sector of society.

Legislating from an Intercultural Horizon

In this regard, one fertile area in which interculturality can be implemented is the legislative sphere, without precluding its application through other public policies. Accordingly, legislating with an intercultural approach allows for the creation of channels of communication and mutual recognition on a basis of equality and respect for customs, traditions, worldviews, modes of organisation, and ways of perceiving reality. Over time, this will foster a form of legal pluralism grounded in equality, which recognises other rights as equally valid and deserving of respect and consideration.

Legislating from an intercultural horizon entails acknowledging and valuing the diverse political and legal systems of Indigenous Peoples as genuine rights. This emerging paradigm should serve as a guiding principle that contributes to enhancing the social, cultural and political significance of these groups and as a means of effectively upholding their rights. The objective is to create an environment of coordination rather than subordination, in which differences are not obstacles but opportunities to build a better society.

Unlike other models for managing differences, interculturality aims to build symmetrical relationships based on the distinct identities of Indigenous Peoples. Hence, it is necessary to create laws that do not overlook Mexico’s multi-ethnic reality. Interculturality is a paradigm concerning cultural diversity that is founded on respect, coexistence, dialogue and learning. For this reason, it allows us to envision a scenario in which diverse cultures can coexist and build a more democratic, inclusive and tolerant society.

In the present century, the paradigm that should prevail in Mexico is one of unity based on heterogeneity, enabling a transition towards peaceful coexistence. All of this occurs within a framework of tolerance that values differences, dignity, and various ways of thinking, fostering an atmosphere of mutual learning.

Elias Angeles-Hernandez is a lecturer and researcher in Human Rights at Universidad Carlos III de Madrid, Spain (UC3M), and in Indigenous Law at the Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM). He is also a Doctoral Candidate in Law (UNAM) and in Advanced Studies in Human Rights (UC3M).

Cover photo: Alejandro Parellada

Tags: Indigenous Debates