The Relationship Between Internationalization and Environmental Sustainability in Non-Central Latin American Universities

Abstract

In recent years, research identifying the intersection between internationalization of higher education and sustainability development has gained relevance, as well as the role and responsibility of universities in addressing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Although higher education institutions (HEIs) have addressed environmental sustainability through a range of measures, studies on the relationship between internationalization and environmental sustainability are scarce. Therefore, this study presents examples that seek to examine the relationship between internationalization and environmental sustainability in six non-central Latin American (LA) universities. Data were sourced from semi-structured interviews and a review of secondary data. The practices of these universities demonstrate that rich experiences can be offered to the wider world by institutions in non-central positions. The study shows that non-central LA HEIs have a strong connection with their local and/or regional environment and tend to focus primarily on global issues that support local development, rather than internationalization practices.

Environmental Sustainability and Internationalization in Higher Education: A New Frontier in Research, Policy and Practice

“…McCowan's contribution similarly highlights "two key dilemmas for internationalization": "how to provide experiences of engagement with difference without burning fossil fuels" and "how to ensure global reach and influence of universities without homogenising and marginalising" (McCowan, 2023). Meanwhile, a distinctly regional perspectivein this case from Latin Americais provided by the article contributed by Cassol-Silva et al (2023). Taking examples from six Latin American universities in non-central locations, they highlight the ways that global concerns about the environment and support for local development can be mutually reinforcing, and how this intersection of the local and the global may align to greater or lesser degrees with institutions' understandings of and commitment to internationalization.…”