About.
The Regional Network of National Information Centres in Latin America and the Caribbean (CINALC) was formally launched on 8 February 2024 in Havana, Cuba. It was established pursuant to Article IV.2 of the Convention on the Recognition of Studies, Diplomas and Degrees in Higher Education in Latin America and the Caribbean to “provide information on mobility and recognition in order to assist with the practical implementation of this Convention by the competent authorities in the area of recognition by facilitating the exchange of recognition and mobility information among the States Parties
The network is open to all recognition authorities in Latin America and the Caribbean, and currently includes members from 17 countries. Recognition authorities are understood as, among others “officially recognized public or private bodies, offices, institutions, ministries, universities and others that are in charge of the processes of recognition of qualifications in the different countries”. A Coordination Group, composed of representatives from up to four countries that have ratified the Buenos Aires Convention, coordinates the work of CINALC.
CINALC also cooperates closely with other regional networks established under other UNESCO regional recognition conventions, in particular ENIC-NARIC in Europe and APNNIC in Asia and the Pacific. Recognition authorities outside Latin America and the Caribbean may also be admitted to the network, subject to a special procedure.
The UNESCO International Institute for Higher Education in Latin America and the Caribbean (UNESCO IESALC) serves as the Secretariat of the Convention and CINALC.