Regional and global: articulation of the diversity of functions of higher education

Abstract

Following the International Conference on Higher Education sponsored by UNESCO in 1998, the recent evolution of the sector worldwide has given rise to serious concern. In the entire Western world, economic globalisation has led to enormous pressure being exerted by financial investors who are looking to internationalise their capital through education. We are witnessing the loss of university characterisation, which entails enormous risks for the culture of peace as, in order to be effective, it must be based upon mutual respect and acknowledgement of the different values that congregate human society. Primarily through compliance with the pertinence guideline of the ICHE conference - not solemnly ignored purely by chance, due to this level of education being subordinated to the financing of the global economy - such mutual respect and acknowledgement could use universities as a powerful tool that defines a compelling political agenda for those forces committed to peace.