Agenda for academic diplomacy

The so-called “Future of Education” initiative of UNESCO.highlights four key messages for higher education on the horizon of 2050: “1. Active responsibility in the development of potential humanity; 2. Promote well-being and sustainability; 3. Feed on epistemic interculturality and diversity; and, 4. Create and maintain interconnectedness,” (see: Iesalc-Unesco, 2021).

The information society, born out of the Third Industrial Revolution, it imposed changes and accelerated the processes of social and production transformation, economic and financial instances, but also political and management. Now, facing The fourth industrial revolution, we have gone from a society driven by information and communication technologies to a digital world; from the knowledge society to the learning society, where other technologies and complex sciences lead the way: Artificial intelligence, robotics, 3D production, but also neuroscience, nanotechnology, ecology of biohuman systemsamong many others that dictate the pattern modernization that entities for the training of human talentsat the highest level, we must assimilate, incorporate and expand within the traditional functions that we carry out universally, namely training and teaching, scientific research and innovation, and connection with social sectors.

In order to respond to the demands of ongoing social changes, within the framework of globalization that does not stop (despite the bankruptcy of the globalist and neoliberal paradigm in its first hour), the definition academic diplomacy active, which uses the advantages of intelligent, holistic, perspective and proactive internationalization for the benefit of the vast majority, which leaves behind a paradigm of fragmented, partial, asymmetric and passive academic cooperation, as a pendant of international academic relations inherited from “North/South aid” and neocolonialism and economic begging.

In this sense, the university entities, their governing bodies, the national government, must set the truth Strategy of academic diplomacy for our country, based on the diagnosis our strengths and weaknesses as a state and as a system of higher education, science and technology, in accordance with the national challenges of the 21st century. It also entails, with cheerful pragmatism, weighing the interests of the blocs, regions and countries with which we must cooperate, and within them, with their specialized agencies and related institutions, an attempt to set aside ideologised narratives, the past and neo-colonial inertia. to “soft power”. For academic diplomacy to be effective, it must start from the assumptions of every true diplomacy: realism and pragmatism.

Understanding the context and stakeholders’ interests is a priority, so as not to create false expectations or initiate activities without a real basis for sustainability. (McGill Peterson, P.: Diplomacy and education, International higher education, international issues:3) Likewise, it is necessary to make our values ​​and principles explicit – which is not always easy – beyond empty appeals. Academic diplomacy must be structured on the real principle of solidarity and cooperation, typical of the scientific and university tradition, theoretical pluralism and mutual benefit; higher education as Law, not business; science as a public good. This is the first step in order to locate international actors, issues and try to indicate some priorities in a broad common program of work so that internationalization has its strength in favor of the development of the people.

The upcoming program of academic relations in Panama necessarily includes updating the program of international cooperation in scientific and technological issues with a strategic and geopolitical approach. Traditional actors like USA, but not China. of which a recent report shows that China currently leads in 37 out of 44 critical technologies (see ASPI report, March 2023, available at https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-03-02 /china -critical-future-technologies-west-aspi-report/102041318). Because of the reason geographical areas, Central America and the Caribbean, appear on the compass and level Latin America, three capital partners: Mexico, Brazil and Colombia; which in turn serve as a bridge for the framework of Mercosur and the Andean region.

It is important that bilateral and multilateral programs deal realistically and in-depth with cooperation in issues of real interest, starting with climate and biodiversity, but escalating to techno-economic aspects in large projects, such as the constant modernization of the country’s logistics platform, logistic and economic-financial services, electrical and digital interconnection, and very sensitive issues of the public agenda such as: migration, public health, attention to risks and disasters, democracy and human rights, to name a few. Unresolved national issues, such as the “formal” opening of a land link with South America; electrical and digital interconnection; construction of a railroad from Argentina to Mexico, which could start with the Panama-Mexico railroad; port and logistics connection; regional development banks, the questions are in which USA, China and the regional powers have something to contribute with knowledge and training of human talents, work on joint projects and co-financing. Ohthey make up our america on a socio-productive basis!

It will not be a minor problem to agree on appropriate means, such as a robust series of doctoral programs in critical areas, with the opening of international chairs attended by experts from American, Chinese, European and Latin American universities; as well as research and innovation programs that consolidate our meager workforce of a thousand researchers and refresh it periodically. If not, when and how will we reach the goal of 75 percent university professors have PhDs? Improve the foundations of digital communication media, the use of media cutting-edge electronics, including AIthey could perform a “hub

Panama” of higher education, science and technology that complements andcommercial and financial center, around the Panama Canal and financial center, as well as the still mediated port base (when will we will exploit the bay of Charco Azul and the mega port of Puerto Armuelles?)

We need to modernize the teaching and learning of languages: English, yes, priority, but equally, Mandarin, Portuguese, French, German… Our Panamanian human resources will not be able to take advantage of many offers and scholarships, if any universities do not improve language learning our teachers and students.

In the end, I would like to highlight the improvement of the capacity of searching for, negotiating and developing funding among foreign donors and collaborators (fundraising), both their university and public and private funds where the philosophy not to be alms, but “win-win”. Is all this possible? Yes, all this is possible and, what’s worse, necessary if we want to be actors and not mere agents. obligations of knowledge societies under construction in this emerging new multipolar world order. Let’s combine intelligence, will and persistence. You have to be brave and stubborn.