Editorial

Exchanging information and knowledge is essential to promote integration and generate equity in the region. Therefore, the creation of a shared space for higher education is a main interest of Latin America and the Caribbean.

The theme, "New Dynamics in Higher Education and of Research for Social Change and Development" will be discussed in Paris between July 5-8 during the Worl d Conference on Higher Education (WCHE). The opening ceremony of the event will include discussions of the function of higher education in facing great world challenges: the eradication of poverty, the establishment of sustainable development, and of Education for All.

According to the draft program, the plenary sessions on the first day will discuss themes such as the internationalization, regionalization, and globalization of higher education; equity, access, and quality; as well as training, research, and innovation. As is generally known, Africa will be the focus of the conference, where the plenary session will discuss "Fostering excellence in order to accelerate African Development: the development of an African higher education and research area".

Besides the Declaration and Action Plan that resulted from the Regional Conference on Higher Education (CRES 2008) held in Cartagena de Indias, Colombia, last June, the Latin America and Caribbean region will be presenting concrete results of the activities that were suggested in order to carry out the CRES Plan of Action.

One specific example of these activities is the Latin America and Caribbean Higher Education (ENLACES). Since June, 2008, many meetings between UNESCO-IESALC and higher education networks were held in order to discuss ENLACES. Exchanging information and knowledge is essential to promote integration and generate equity in the region. Therefore, the creation of a shared space for higher education is a main interest of Latin America and the Caribbean.

Already programmed for June 1-2, 2009 in Lima, Peru (to be confirmed once the CDC H1N1 flu is under control in the region) is the III Meeting of University Networks and Councils of Chancellors of Higher Education in order to officially launch ENLACES. The ENLACES project seeks to create opportunities for exchange based on cooperation and convergence directed at improving expansion of coverage with quality, pertinence, and social inclusion, to facilitate policies of accreditation, assessment, quality assurance, education innovation, and research, as well as to support the Regional Agenda on Science, Technology, and Innovation. The expectation of the participants is to transform into reality some of these points, with the support of UNESCO-IELSALC.

As mentioned in the CRES Declaration, "Latin American and Caribbean academic integration is a process that cannot be delayed. It is necessary in order to create the future of the continent. The participants at CRES ratified the commitment to assure this task. We have the obligation and the responsibility to create our own future". ENLACES is already part of this process, and will be a large part of our proposal during the WCHE 2009.

José Renato Carvalho
Director a.i.

 

www.iesalc.unesco.org.ve