The inaugural meeting of ministers and senior officials responsible for higher education in Latin America and the Caribbean commenced in Montevideo, Uruguay. The event is organized by UNESCO IESALC in partnership with Uruguay’s Ministry of Education and Culture.
Meeting Overview
This two-day meeting involves attendance from eleven ministers and various senior officials, along with representatives from three observer organizations. The primary objective is to address significant challenges and opportunities within the higher education sector of the region. The agenda aims to facilitate dialogue and develop collaborative strategies for enhancing higher education.
Significance of Cooperation
Pablo da Silveira, the Minister of Education and Culture of Uruguay, highlighted the significance of international cooperation in higher education for sustainable development and improving opportunities for youth. He reaffirmed Uruguay’s dedication to educational excellence and its status as a regional leader in adopting innovative higher education policies.
Role of UNESCO
Stefania Giannini, Assistant Director-General for Education at UNESCO, noted the critical role higher education plays in advancing the right to education and acting as a driver for sustainable development, social justice, and global citizenship. She emphasized the need for transformation within higher education and stated that UNESCO, through IESALC, is committed to supporting such transformative efforts in the region.
Thematic Panels
The meeting includes thematic panels that address important regional issues including:
- Promoting dialogue and regional cooperation to share experiences and best practices in higher education within Latin American and Caribbean nations.
- Strengthening access to higher education by exploring mechanisms for equitable funding.
- Aligning educational offerings with labor market needs by analyzing the relationship between education and job demands, including the introduction of new certification methods.
- Fostering innovation and technological advancements to increase higher education’s contributions to technological progress in the region.
- Enhancing governance structures of higher education systems by reviewing and developing effective governance models.
Expected Outcomes
A declaration outlining key commitments aimed at transforming higher education is expected to be adopted at the end of the meeting. This declaration will be based on the roadmap established during the 2022 World Higher Education Conference, the 2018 Third Regional Conference on Higher Education for Latin America and the Caribbean (CRES), and its subsequent follow-up meeting (CRES 5+).
Conclusion
This event represents a significant high-level gathering in the region, aligning with the strategic agreement signed between UNESCO IESALC and Uruguay in September 2024, which supports initiatives for the transformation of higher education.
(Source: UNESCO IESALC)