The Relationship Between Internationalization and Environmental Sustainability in Non-Central Latin American Universities

Abstract

In recent years, research identifying the intersection between internationalization of higher education and sustainability development has gained relevance, as well as the role and responsibility of universities in addressing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Although higher education institutions (HEIs) have addressed environmental sustainability through a range of measures, studies on the relationship between internationalization and environmental sustainability are scarce. Therefore, this study presents examples that seek to examine the relationship between internationalization and environmental sustainability in six non-central Latin American (LA) universities. Data were sourced from semi-structured interviews and a review of secondary data. The practices of these universities demonstrate that rich experiences can be offered to the wider world by institutions in non-central positions. The study shows that non-central LA HEIs have a strong connection with their local and/or regional environment and tend to focus primarily on global issues that support local development, rather than internationalization practices.