Background on Key Players
The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) Institute for Lifelong Learning (UIL) and the Tecnológico de Monterrey, through its Institute for the Future of Education (IFE), have signed a four-year strategic alliance (2026–2029) to promote lifelong learning across Latin America.
The UIL is a part of UNESCO, an international organization dedicated to fostering global cooperation in education, science, culture, communication, and information. The Tecnológico de Monterrey is a leading private university in Mexico, with a strong commitment to education and research.
Agreement Signing at IFE Conference 2026
The agreement was signed during the IFE Conference 2026, an international forum that brought together policymakers, academic leaders, researchers, and educational ecosystem actors to discuss innovation, multisector collaboration, and the future of education. The signing ceremony was led by Michael Fung, IFE’s executive director, and Raúl Valdés-Cotera, UIL’s program coordinator for IA.
Objectives of the Partnership
The partnership aims to support Latin American countries in strengthening their policies, systems, and learning practices, focusing on national and local implementation. This includes developing capacities in the 67 UNESCO Learning Cities across Latin America.
The cooperation directly contributes to the implementation of the Marrakech Action Framework, adopted by over 140 countries during the Seventh International Conference on Adult Education (CONFINTEA VII) in 2022. This framework recognizes lifelong learning as a fundamental right and a key enabler for sustainable development.
Quotes from Leaders
“Lifelong learning requires solid alliances and sustained regional commitment. This collaboration will support countries and cities in transforming global commitments into concrete actions,” said Isabell Kempf, director of the UNESCO Institute for Lifelong Learning.
“Together with UIL, we aim to strengthen lifelong learning ecosystems in Latin America by promoting innovation, inclusion, and sustainable development through education,” said Michael Fung, IFE’s executive director.
Focus of Cooperation
The partnership will focus on two primary areas of action:
- Dialogue on Public Policies and Capacity Building
- The UIL and Tec de Monterrey will convene a regional biennial forum on lifelong learning policies in Latin America, bringing together decision-makers, experts, and professionals to exchange experiences, share solutions, and strengthen regional cooperation.
- This forum will also serve as the launchpad for the regional dissemination of UNESCO’s Sixth Global Report on Learning and Adult Education, a crucial document for shaping future educational policies.
- Complementary regional and national capacity-building workshops will be conducted for governments, UNESCO Learning Cities, and educational actors, focusing on emerging priorities such as digital learning, climate action, future skills, and inclusive learning system design.
- Knowledge and Learning Resources Exchange
- The UIL’s research and conceptual frameworks will be made available in Spanish, facilitating access to evidence-based knowledge for policymakers, teachers, researchers, and educational leaders in the region.
- Practical training programs and courses will be adapted to national and local contexts, enhancing the implementation of lifelong learning policies.
Beneficiaries of the Partnership
This cooperation will benefit UNESCO member states in Latin America, including policymakers and educational sector actors; UNESCO Learning Cities, supporting local authorities and lifelong learning agents; teachers and educators through capacity development opportunities; and researchers via knowledge exchange and access to multilingual resources.
Through this alliance, the Tecnológico de Monterrey (IFE) and UNESCO reaffirm their commitment to fostering collaboration, knowledge creation, and transfer that contribute to building more inclusive, relevant, and adaptable educational systems across all life stages. This aligns with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 4 (quality education) and 17 (partnerships for the goals).
IFE Conference 2026
The IFE Conference, an international event that gathered over 5,700 experts, academic leaders, and decision-makers from 46 countries, took place in Monterrey, Mexico, from January 27 to 29. The agenda included over 500 activities, such as keynote speeches, panels, specialized summits, selected presentations, hybrid events, and networking opportunities designed to promote international collaboration and innovative knowledge exchange.
