The document discusses the establishment of the Inter-American Network of Co-Laboratories in Social Innovation (REDICIS) by the Inter-American Organization for Higher Education (IOHE). REDICIS aims to encourage knowledge sharing and partnerships between higher education institutions working in social innovation. It currently includes 14 universities and 5 organizations across 9 countries in the Americas. The network seeks to consolidate reference centers for social innovation, develop training in the field, and support decision-making around measuring, evaluating, and funding social innovation initiatives.

2. The Social Innovation field is in full expansion because it
represents a sustainable response to complex social
problems.
But it is still very little developed in HEIs:
 A very limited training offer (at postgraduate levels and
continuing education levels);
 Few research groups devoted to the study and to foster
knowledge in Social Innovation.
 Lack of information.
Social Innovation and Higher Education:

3. Still several gaps of knowledge about Social Innovation,
for example:
 How to measure Social Innovation?
 How to evaluate Social Innovation?
 What are the best strategies to support the
development of Social Innovation?
 Where could we invest efficiently in Social
Innovation?
Challenges for universities :

4. 326 MEMBERS
26 COUNTRIES
9 REGIONS
Canada
United States
Mexico
Central America
Caribbean
Colombia
Brazil
Andean Countries
Southern Cone
IOHE : HEART OF THE ORGANIZATION
Strategic Actions

5. 14 Human Capital
7 Common Spaces
8Innovation
8Governance
4 Visibility
2011-2016
6 Strategic Axes
45Actions
4 Internacionalization
1211
4 18
14
32
Results 2011-2015
Actions
2011-2014
Launching
2015
To be developed
2016
1
3
41
Participation
2011-2014
Participants
Institutions of Higher
Education
8095
400
25 Countries
Strategic Actions

6. Leadership, Gouvernance and
Management
2015: 82 activités
Research and Doctoral Training
Social Mission of HEIs
Tecnichal and Technological Education
Internationalisation
Innovative Educational Models
Common Spaces for Higher Education
Innovation

7. The establishment of the Inter-American Network of Co-
Laboratories in Social Innovation – REDICIS, for the purpose
of:
 Encourage the transfer of knowledge and practices in
Social Innovation;
 Generate interaction between the actors and the
consolidation of partnerships for the development of
strategies in Social Innovation;
 Facilitate the development of capacities for the design,
the implementation, the monitoring and the evaluation
of the interventions in Social Innovation, as well as to
support with methodologies and tools, the
development of public policies in this area.
Initiatives of IOHE :

8. 3 axes of work :
 Consolidate a network of centers and laboratories (co-
laboratories) of Social Innovation that will serve as
reference (national/regional) in the field
 Develop a strategy for the training of human capital for
the implementation of innovative social experiences
 Support decision making in Social Innovation (Why?
How? What is to be financed in Social Innovation?
Initiatives of IOHE :
The Inter-American Network of Co-Laboratories in Social Innovation – REDICIS

9. Funding strategies:
 Support from HEIs and Organizations involved
(meetings, seminars, etc.).
 Participate in calls to support Social Innovation
initiatives.
 Develop products and services within a sustainable
perspective.
Initiatives of IOHE :
The Inter-American Network of Co-Laboratories in Social Innovation – REDICIS

10. The Inter-American Network of Co-Laboratories in
Social Innovation – REDICIS :
 14 Higher Education Institutions;
 5 National and Regional Organizations
 9 Countries
Initiatives of IOHE :

11. The Inter-American Network of Co-Laboratories in Social Innovation – REDICIS – REDICIS is constituted of 19 Higher
Education Institutions and organizations working in 9 countries of the Americas, Portugal and Spain :
Initiatives of IOHE :
Colegio de las Américas – COLAM/IOHE
Parque Científico de Innovación
Social UNIMINUTO (Colombia)
Universidad de Ciencias Aplicadas y
Ambientales – UDCA (Colombia)
Instituto Tecnológico Metropolitano
(Colombia)
Ruta N (Colombia)
Dirección de Innovación Social de la
Agencia Nacional para la Superación de
la Pobreza Extrema – ANSPE (Colombia)
Universidad Tecnológica de Panamá
(Panama)
Universidad de Los Lagos (Chile)

12. Initiatives of IOHE :
Universidad del Pacífico (Peru)
Universidad Técnica Particular de
Loja (Ecuador)
Yachay EP – City of Knowlege
(Ecuador)
Universidad de Guadalajara
(Mexico)
Universidad de Playa Ancha (Chile)
Universitat de Barcelona (Spain)
Sinnergiak - Social Innovation
(Spain)
Universidad de Alicante (Spain)
Instituto Politécnico de Viana do
Castelo (Portugal)
Réseau québécois en innovation
sociale – RQIS (Canada)

13. Stimulate the creation of regional networks of Social
Innovation:
 Learn from each other;
 Share resources, exchange experiences;
 Broaden the perspective in Social Innovation;
 Heighten awareness to the stakeholders involved in the
development of Social Innovation.
What needs to be done?

14. Foster the development of training programs in Social
Innovation:
 Recognise the training needs in this area;
 Raise awareness and develop skills to approach
effectively Social Innovation;
 Stimulate research and generate knowledge in Social
Innovation.
What needs to be done?

15. Many interested actors:
 Example: The meeting of The Latin
America Division of the International
Association of Scientific and
Technological Parks – IASP/LA (Panama,
17-18 June). Theme:
“The Social Impact of Innovation:
Scientific/Technological Parks and
Areas of Innovation, Accelerating
the Transformations”.
http://iasp.ciudaddelsaber.org/?post_type=qards_page&p=10
Social Innovation and Higher Education

16. The role of our organization
To stimulate the implication of higher education institutions
in the development of training and research in Social
Innovation
To facilitate the interaction among institutions and other
actors involved in Social Innovation who are able to
articulate the different expertise and resources, allowing the
development of knowledge that will support the
implementation of innovative social interventions
To stimulate a discussions about Innovative Educational
Models
Are we part of the problem or part of the solution?
Concluding Remark