International organizations and the technical and professional education networks in Latin America: A comparative analysis between Brazil and Mexico

Abstract

This paper presents the results of a study that investigated technical and professional educational policies in both Brazil and Mexico, and the relations of these two countries with international networks of educational organizations. The focus is on the three international organizations that have had the most influence on public education policies in both Brazil and Mexico: UNEVOC, CINTERFOR/ILO, and REDUCA. Official documents, academic articles, and information available at the websites of the organizations were analyzed. The results indicate that the main objective of these networks has been the search for consensus around educational perspectives aimed at implementing models of technical and vocational professional education that meet the interests of entrepreneurs and the labor market. The results also indicate that the network activity of international organizations has contributed to consolidate educational standards, experiences and very pragmatic and restrictive instruments that directly impact the school realities of countries such as Mexico and Brazil.