The University of La Laguna (ULL) is hosting the 2026 edition of Campus América, an international forum aimed at reinforcing academic ties between Spain and Chile. The event, which kicked off on Monday in La Laguna, brings together around 40 rectors from both countries and features 300 speakers from 56 universities across 14 regions.
ULL rector Francisco García opened the ceremony by emphasising the Canary Islands’ unique position as a tri-continental hub. He stated, “This role as a connector of territories has significantly shaped our history and culture.” He described universities as crucial players in “academic diplomacy,” leveraging knowledge and research networks to foster geopolitical bridges and tackle global challenges.
Present at the event, Osvaldo Corrales, the Vice President of the Conference of Rectors of Chile and rector of the University of Valparaíso, highlighted the importance of truth, pluralism, and social values in the academic realm.
The programme includes over thirty research seminars and cultural activities, aiming to establish an Ibero-American Higher Education Space, enhancing mobility and shared academic practices.
Chile has taken centre stage at this year’s forum, with Spanish ambassador Juan Antonio Coloma noting shared cultural features like winemaking and a passion for the sea between Chile and the Canary Islands. Over the next two weeks, participants will explore these commonalities and forge lasting connections.
The inaugural lecture was delivered by historian Carlos Malamud, who discussed the complexities of Latin America’s internationalisation, asserting that geopolitical considerations now outweigh economic ones in the region. He advocated for intensified collaboration between Europe and Latin America.
The agenda continues on Tuesday with the Ibero-American Congress on Social Cognition and concludes with a wine tasting event featuring Chilean and Canary wines on 23 October.
