UNESCO IESALC and Uruguay have entered into a significant agreement aimed at transforming higher education in Latin America and the Caribbean. This biennial initiative is designed to enhance educational policies and practices, promoting inclusive and equitable scenarios across the region.
UNESCO IESALC Partners with Uruguay to Transform Higher Education in Latin America and the Caribbean
A biennial agreement has been established between UNESCO’s Assistant Director-General for Education, Stefania Giannini, and Uruguay’s Minister of Education and Culture, Pablo Da Silveira. The primary focus of this agreement is the transformation of higher education within the Latin America and Caribbean region. This initiative will be primarily implemented in Montevideo and is led by the UNESCO International Institute for Higher Education in Latin America and the Caribbean (UNESCO IESALC).
Objectives of the Agreement
The agreement aims to influence higher education policymaking across UNESCO Member States, specifically addressing both governmental and institutional frameworks. It is aligned with the objectives outlined in UNESCO’s Roadmap for the Transformation of Higher Education, which was introduced in 2022. The initiative will focus on three key areas: policy dialogue, capacity building, and knowledge production.
Commitment to Quality Education
Among the primary objectives of this program is the development of public policies that promote inclusive, equitable, and quality higher education, in accordance with Sustainable Development Goal 4 (SDG 4). This goal emphasizes the importance of inclusive and equitable quality education and the promotion of lifelong learning opportunities for all.
Significance of the Collaboration
During the signing ceremony, Giannini highlighted that the collaboration with Uruguay represents a significant advance towards reshaping higher education to effectively meet the evolving needs of societies and economies. Da Silveira noted that hosting this program reinforces Uruguay’s commitment to educational excellence and strengthens the country’s position as a leader in innovative higher education policy development within the region.
Expected Outcomes
Francesc Pedró, Director of UNESCO IESALC, remarked that the initiative is anticipated to drive transformative changes in higher education throughout the region, encouraging collaboration and the exchange of best practices in addressing shared challenges.
Broader Impacts on Latin America and the Caribbean
Uruguay’s National Director of Education, Gonzalo Baroni, stated that this partnership would contribute to enhancing the national higher education system and generate broader positive impacts across Latin America and the Caribbean. The collaboration is expected to encourage academic mobility and improve the recognition of diplomas, thus establishing Uruguay as a key participant in the advancement of inclusive and quality education policies.
Ceremony Highlights
The agreement signing took place at UNESCO’s Headquarters in Paris, with the event attended by Ernesto Fernández Polcuch, Director of the UNESCO Regional Office in Montevideo, indicating strong regional support for this initiative.
(Source: UNESCO IESALC)