Academic and cultural exchanges with China
The Latin American Council of Social Sciences (CLACSO) conducted a working mission to the People's Republic of China with the aim of strengthening academic, publishing, and technological ties with institutions and organizations in the Asian country. The delegation was composed of Fernanda PampínDirector of Publications, and Gustavo Lema, Director of Communication and Information.
Throughout an intense and diverse agenda, strategic meetings were held that allowed for the consolidation of existing alliances and the projection of new lines of cooperation in research, publications, technological innovation and training.
-Presentation of the Center for Studies and Exchange between Latin America and the Caribbean and China
In the various institutional meetings, CLACSO presented the Center for Studies and Exchange between Latin America, the Caribbean and China, a strategic initiative aimed at strengthening academic, scientific, cultural and institutional ties between both regions from a critical, plural, transformative perspective situated in the Global South.
-Academic and publishing cooperation
During the mission, the CLACSO team had a notable meeting with the Academy of Marxism of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences (CASS). The meeting included Dr. Yu Haiqing, director of the Academy, and Dr. Monica Lou YuThe exchange facilitated progress on joint projects related to research, publications on contemporary critical thought, and the promotion of South-South dialogue. Discussions also took place regarding future academic activities and potential avenues of cooperation between Chinese institutions and CLACSO Member Centers.
A working meeting was also held with Blossom Press, aimed at developing shared publishing initiatives that expand the circulation of Latin American productions in China and bring works of interest from the Chinese academic field closer to the regional public.
-Strategic academic meetings
In Beijing, the delegation also held a working meeting with Fernando Wei Ran, researcher and academic reference of the Tsinghua University, one of the most prestigious educational institutions in the country. The dialogue allowed for an exchange of perspectives on comparative research, academic cooperation between regions, and possible lines of joint work around contemporary debates in the social sciences.
-International institutional meetings
The mission strengthened ties with organizations and leading figures in critical thinking globally. Meetings were held with Marga Ferre, president of Transform! Europe; with Vijay Prashad, executive director of Tricontinental: Institute for Social Research; and with Leonardo Batalla, advisor to the minister and responsible for International Relations and Cooperation of the Ministry of Labor and Social Security of Uruguay.
An exchange also took place with Jorge Díaz and with Aymara Gerdel, from the Venezuelan Center for Studies on China, with whom shared lines of work and possible future collaborations were reviewed.
A meeting was also held in Beijing with Marta Montero, vice president and director of the China Chair Foundation (Spain), aimed at exploring future interregional cooperation initiatives.
These exchanges broadened CLACSO's international agenda and laid the foundations for new publishing, audiovisual, research and training projects.
-Linking with international media and audiovisual production
A highlight of the trip was the meeting with officials from Chinese state media. CGTN, alongside the journalist and producer Bei Beiwith whom various audiovisual materials were produced and discussions were held regarding communication cooperation strategies. These conversations also made progress in the inclusion of CLACSO TV on the audiovisual platform AMSPThis will allow for the expansion of the international dissemination of audiovisual content produced by CLACSO and strengthen communication bridges between Latin America, the Caribbean and Asia.
-Participation in international forums
As part of the trip, the delegation attended the World Socialism Forum, an international dialogue space that brings together specialists and organizations from various countries to discuss contemporary issues from critical perspectives.
Furthermore, CLACSO was present at the International Academic Forum on “The Chinese Path to Modernization and A New Model for Human Progress”, held at Zhejiang University, which allowed for learning about current debates on modernization, development and international cooperation, as well as strengthening ties with this renowned academic institution.
-Innovation and technology in Hangzhou
The mission included a tour of technology hubs in Hangzhou, a city renowned for its digital innovation ecosystem. There, meetings were held with specialists in artificial intelligence and data science to explore potential collaborations in research and the development of technological tools applied to the social sciences.
-Audiovisual production from China
As part of the communication work, the CLACSO team produced a special program for CLACSO TV on BRICS, produced entirely from China and focused on current geopolitical debates, South-South cooperation and the role of Latin America in the new international scenario.
-A step forward in South-South cooperation
The visit significantly strengthened CLACSO's presence in international cooperation forums and opened new opportunities for joint work in publishing, academia, communications, and technology. The dialogues and agreements established represent an important step toward deepening ties between Latin America, the Caribbean, and China, promoting the exchange of critical knowledge and the development of shared agendas in a changing world.
