RedLAC
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RedLAC RedLAC is a networked association operating in Latin America and the Caribbean focused on research, capacity building, and policy dialogue. It convenes academic institutions, civil society organizations, foundations, and multilateral agencies to address public health, technology, and social innovation challenges. The network emphasizes knowledge exchange, collaborative projects, and regional coordination among institutions spread across national capitals, research centers, and international organizations.
History
RedLAC emerged amid regional initiatives for cooperative research and development during the early 21st century, coinciding with collaborations among institutions such as Fiocruz, PAHO, IDB, UNESCO, and World Bank. Early meetings drew representatives from Universidad de São Paulo, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Universidad de Buenos Aires, and Universidad de la República (Uruguay), fostering ties with funders such as the Ford Foundation and the Rockefeller Foundation. The network expanded through parallel projects linked to programs run by UNICEF, UNDP, WHO, and regional consortia including CLACSO and CELAC forums. Over time, RedLAC formalized governance practices informed by standards promulgated by institutions like OECD and UNESCO to support multicountry research consortia and capacity-strengthening initiatives.
Mission and Objectives
RedLAC's mission centers on promoting collaborative research, evidence-based policy, and practical interventions across Latin American and Caribbean contexts, aligning with agendas advanced by PAHO, WHO, UNICEF, UNDP, and World Bank. Objectives include facilitating cross-institutional research partnerships among universities such as Universidad de Chile, University of the West Indies, Universidad de Costa Rica, and Universidad de los Andes (Colombia); supporting knowledge translation consistent with frameworks from UNESCO and OECD; and strengthening links with philanthropic actors like the Gates Foundation and Open Society Foundations. The network also aims to mobilize technical assistance consistent with regional priorities articulated in forums like CELAC and in policy dialogues involving Ministries of Health of Brazil, Argentina, and Mexico.
Organizational Structure
RedLAC operates as a decentralized alliance with a coordinating secretariat, thematic working groups, and national nodes. The secretariat liaises with partner universities—including Universidad de Antioquia, Universidad Nacional de Colombia, Universidad de El Salvador—and with research institutes such as Fiocruz and INSP (Mexico). Thematic groups align with sectors represented by agencies like PAHO and WHO and collaborate with centers such as Centro de Estudios de Estado y Sociedad and Fundación Oswaldo Cruz. Governance draws on advisory boards including representatives from IDB, EU Delegation to Uruguay, UNDP country offices, and regional donors like CAF – Development Bank of Latin America.
Activities and Programs
RedLAC convenes regional conferences, workshops, and capacity-building programs in collaboration with partners like Universidad de Buenos Aires, Pontificia Universidad Católica del Perú, University of the West Indies, and Universidad Iberoamericana (Mexico). Programmatic activities include multicenter research projects, policy briefings for ministries exemplified by engagements with Ministry of Health (Chile), training modules co-created with WHO and PAHO, and pilot interventions implemented with civil society partners such as Asociación Latinoamericana de Medicina Social and Fundación Alma. The network publishes policy syntheses and technical notes in coordination with publishers and platforms linked to CLACSO and academic presses at Universidad de Chile and Universidad de Sao Paulo.
Membership and Partnerships
Membership comprises universities, research centers, think tanks, NGOs, and international agencies. Notable institutional members include Universidad de Sao Paulo, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Universidad de Chile, Universidad de los Andes (Colombia), University of the West Indies, Fiocruz, and Instituto Nacional de Salud Pública (Mexico). Strategic partnerships have been maintained with PAHO, WHO, UNICEF, UNDP, IDB, World Bank, OECD, CLACSO, CAF, Gates Foundation, and Rockefeller Foundation. Collaboration networks extend to national ministries and municipal governments in capitals such as Buenos Aires, Mexico City, Bogotá, Santiago, and Brasília.
Impact and Achievements
RedLAC has facilitated multicountry studies that informed policy decisions in areas influenced by institutions like PAHO and WHO, contributing to regional dialogues at meetings convened by CELAC and presentations to IDB technical committees. Achievements include developing training curricula adopted by universities such as Universidad de Chile and Universidad de Antioquia, publishing evidence syntheses cited by UNICEF and UNDP reports, and piloting interventions in partnership with local governments in Lima, San José (Costa Rica), and Montevideo. The network’s outputs have been presented at conferences like the International AIDS Conference, Global Health & Innovation Conference, and regional symposia organized by CLACSO.
Funding and Governance
Funding sources combine grants from multilateral agencies (IDB, World Bank), philanthropy (Gates Foundation, Open Society Foundations, Rockefeller Foundation), project contracts with UN agencies (PAHO, UNICEF), and contributions from member institutions such as Universidad de Sao Paulo and Fiocruz. Governance mechanisms include an elected steering committee with representatives from major member institutions and advisory input from partners like UNDP and OECD. Financial oversight aligns with donor requirements from EU, IDB, and major foundations, and program audits are periodically coordinated with institutional finance offices at universities and research centers.
Criticisms and Challenges
Critiques have addressed dependence on external donors such as Gates Foundation and World Bank, raising questions similar to debates involving UNICEF and PAHO partnerships about agenda-setting and sustainability. Challenges include coordinating across diverse legal and administrative regimes exemplified by differing regulations in Brazil, Mexico, Argentina, and Colombia; balancing northern philanthropy with regional autonomy advocated by groups affiliated with CLACSO; and ensuring equitable resource distribution among institutions from metropolitan centers like Buenos Aires and smaller capitals such as Asunción and Belmopan. Strategic tensions persist between academic priorities of institutions like Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México and operational demands from municipal partners in cities such as Quito and Guayaquil.