Araucaria Community Brings Latin American Education Leaders to the UK

sonalpatel56
5 hours ago
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Ministers of Education from across Latin America began an intensive agenda of training, networking, and inspiration on January 18, aimed at strengthening the education systems of their respective governments.

Twenty ministers from the region arrived in the United Kingdom to take part in the fourth annual meeting of the Araucaria Community, a network of ministers and secretaries of Education coordinated by the Varkey Foundation together with partner organizations. The experience represents a unique opportunity to shorten distances and timelines, optimize resources, and delve deeper into the shared educational challenges across the region.

The ministers come from Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, and Mexico. Designed exclusively for ministers, the agenda is being held for the first time across two cities—Cambridge and London—and is focused on the development of leadership skills. Following a welcome dinner attended by Charles Clarke, former UK Secretary of State for Education, the delegation began a day of immersion at Cambridge University Press & Assessment, which included a series of training workshops with leadership experts.

Jane Mann, Managing Director of Partnership for Education at Cambridge University Press & Assessment, welcomed the delegation and stated: “One may have the best ideas and the best public policies, but in the end, if one does not know how to lead, nothing happens in reality and nothing changes. That is why it is so important to focus on this and to be here. It is an honor to welcome you.” The ministers took part in workshops led by experts Lauren Harris, Melise Camargo, and Elizabeth George. In the afternoon, the delegation continued its program at the Judge Business School—the University of Cambridge’s business school—where they participated in a case study on education reform and a mentoring session with María Brown Pérez, former Minister of Education of Ecuador (2021–2023), on how to integrate leadership, ethics, and evidence in education management.

On Tuesday, the ministers traveled to London, where they held high-level political meetings, including an exchange with the UK Secretary of State for Skills, Jaqui Smith, and the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State at the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, Chris Elmore. They also took part in a private meeting at the BBC’s headquarters and attended a session on leadership lessons with Andrew St. George, a university professor at a UK business school.

On the third and final day of the program, the ministers had the opportunity to visit schools—including the well-known autonomous public “Academies”—as well as Swiss Cottage School, where Global Teacher Prize 2018 winner Andria Zafirakou currently works. Before concluding the visit, the delegation met with Nicky Morgan, former UK Secretary of State for Education, at the House of Lords in Parliament. The agenda concluded with a private closing meeting to reflect on next steps for the community.

“Ministers and Secretaries of Education lead profoundly complex processes, where each decision has long-term consequences for millions of students. Comunidad Araucaria is a trusted space among peers, created to learn together, share challenges and good practices, and jointly build better responses for education in the region,” said Agustín Porres, Regional Director of the Varkey Foundation. This gathering is supported by strategic partners: Fundación Coppel, the Development Bank of Latin America and the Caribbean (CAF), Fundación Azteca, ODILO, the International University of La Rioja (UNIR), Canva, Dandelion, Fundação Lemann, Cambridge University Press & Assessment, and the Federal Investment Council (CFI).The launch and first annual meeting of Comunidad Araucaria took place in Washington, DC, in January 2023. With four years of progress (see video here), the community comes together once again this week. Participating ministers:Argentina