Looking Forward: Building Capacity in Latin America

In view of the rapidly changing global context, this concluding chapter reviews the challenges facing science- and technology-based developments and cooperation in support of policies that can stimulate localized learning, innovation and endogenous development in Latin America. This broad question has motivated the entire work behind this book, which analyses case studies in selected Latin American regions. It appears that value-based networks have the potential to make both public policies and markets more effective, promoting learning trajectories for the inclusive development of regions. But they require strong public investments to keep attracting and preparing human resources, together with long-term support for technology-based industries and export capacity for emerging markets worldwide. The chapter argues for the unique potential of strategic, international, knowledge-based ventures, and the importance of the internationalization of universities and research institutions at the global level. Above all, they require the systematic observation of scientific and technical change from an international perspective, as well as a relational infrastructure for collective action, at an international level, in a context much influenced by a dynamic of change and a necessary balance between the creation and diffusion of knowledge towards the endogenous development of all parts involved. The role of Latin America universities and national science policies based on international cooperation are considered to be particularly crucial in this process.