South-South University Cooperation Network Thematic Working Group

South-South cooperation is becoming a vital framework for promoting sustainable development and addressing shared challenges among countries in the Global South. By fostering mutual support and collaboration, these nations can capitalize on their collective strengths, share valuable experiences, and pool resources to address issues like poverty, inequality, and educational disparities. 

The South-South University Cooperation Network (SUCN), co-launched by UNESCO IESALC and the United Nations Office for South-South Cooperation (UNOSSC), aims to strengthen international collaboration among universities in the Global South, enhancing educational opportunities for young people. This network is built on the principles of multilateralism, open science, and sustainability, and promotes collaborative research to tackle regional and global issues, prioritizing technology and innovation transfer, resource sharing, and the establishment of strategic partnerships. 

As part of the SUCN efforts, this thematic working group will be held during the UNESCO Chairs and Partners Forum 2024: Transforming Knowledge for Africa’s Future, hosted at the African Union Convention Center in Addis Ababa. Taking place in the context of the African Union’s 2024 Year of Education, the group will address, from a practice-based approach and through the lens of South-South cooperation, how to tackle the main challenges in higher education pillars—teaching and learning, research, community engagement, and management. This setting underscores the forum’s alignment with the African Union’s commitment to advancing education across the continent. 

 Target audience:   

University administrators, academics, researchers, students, NGOs, policymakers, international organizations, technology and innovation experts, and community leaders from the Global South. 

Expected outcomes include: 

• Documented list of key challenges and solutions related to teaching, research, community engagement, and management will be generated. 

• An action plan for networking and collaboration beyond the workshop. 

• Participants gain deeper insights into the principles of South-South cooperation and how they can be applied within their institutions. 

• Participants will understand how to join the SUCN and engage in upcoming activities from November 2024. 

Check the full program of the UNESCO Chairs and Partners Forum 2024: Transforming knowledge for Africa’s future: https://www.unesco.org/en/transforming-knowledge-africas-future 

On-site event

Location: African Union Convention Center, Small Conference Room 1, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia