On 9 and 10 October, the 6th Academic Summit between Latin America and the Caribbean and the European Union (EU–LAC) took place — a space for exchange where academics, diplomats, and representatives of international organisations reflected on the role of higher education in bi-regional relations.
The Summit took place at the Externado University of Colombia, convened by the Permanent Academic Forum (FAP) for LAC-EU Bi-regional Dialogue, and held in coordination with the Colombian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of National Education, the European Union, the Mayor's Office of Bogotá, the Andean Parliament, the EU–LAC Foundation, the Colombian Association of Universities (ASCUN), the Organisation of Ibero-American States (OEI) and the Institute of the Americas (France).
The aim of this meeting was to draw up a joint proposal for the heads of state and government of both regions, who will meet in Santa Marta in November. The Final Declaration resulting from the Academic Summit reflects the decision to propose to the leaders ‘to consolidate the political decision expressed at the Summits and meetings of Heads of State and Government and ministerial meetings held since 1999, to launch the creation of a Common Area of Higher Education, Science, Technology and Innovation’.
The Declaration also included the EU-LAC Foundation among the organisations that have collaborated in the effort to build the EU-CELAC Common Area of Higher Education, Science, Technology and Innovation.
The EU–LAC Foundation’s Director of Programmes, Dr. Anna Barrera, took part in the panel “Experiences of Advanced Academic Cooperation in EU–LAC Relations” and delivered the closing remarks on Friday, 10 October.
Dr. Barrera emphasised that higher education and scientific research are essential tools to strengthen mutual understanding between the European Union and Latin America and the Caribbean, and to contribute to finding solutions to the social, economic, environmental, and political challenges shared by both regions.
She also shared some of the work that the EU–LAC Foundation has carried out over the years to promote bi-regional cooperation in higher education and research — such as the “Matrix of Objectives and Strategic Lines for the EU–CELAC Common Area of Education”, as well as various dialogue spaces and publications.
Finally, she underlined that the 6th Academic Summit is a space that undoubtedly generates valuable momentum to broaden and complement the “New Agenda for Cooperation in Research and Innovation” and offers genuine contributions to the upcoming EU–CELAC Summit in Santa Marta.
