Talent development, cultural diversity, and equity: The challenge of the andean countries

The aim of this chapter is to provide a different perspective on talent development, based on the ethnic-linguistic diversity of the understudied Andean countries. The current status of gifted education and talent development in the population living under highly vulnerable conditions of Andean society will be explored, under the frame of a comprehensive analysis about the needs of the gifted children in Latin America. Multicultural diversity in the Andean societies may easily lead to polarization due to the poverty conditions in which the majority lives. In order to make a significant contribution, a developmental, cross-cultural, inclusive approach is critical to conceptualize gifted education, and to explain talent development in this part of the world. Studies about the identification and differentiation programs for the gifted are analyzed, and the status of young scholars coming from low socio-economic and ethnic minority groups will be discussed. Results of on-going studies about variables related to gifted performance will be included. Plus, the challenges of gifted education in Latin America that underline the advocacy efforts to serve the indigenous population with equity will be presented. Implications for future research and public policies to serve the gifted students are also considered.