Integrating Twelve New Economic Theories into a Public University in Latin America

Introduction

The 'University Diploma in New Economics' represents a pioneering partnership between the Platform for the Introduction to New Economics (PINE) and one of the oldest universities in Latin America: the 403-year-old National University of Córdoba (UNC). PINE’s primary goal is to empower participants with comprehensive knowledge and practical skills for fostering sustainable, resilient, and regenerative economic systems across our continent. This 18-week online programme –conducted in Spanish– was designed to delve into alternative economic models under the guidance of distinguished field experts and with innovative educational methodologies. Having concluded its 3rd edition in 2023, over 300 people from 15 countries have participated in the Programme.

About the National University of Córdoba (UNC)

The National University of Córdoba (UNC) stands as Argentina's oldest University and a cornerstone of the American continent's academic heritage, boasting over 400 years of rich history in cultural, scientific, political, and social realms. With a student population exceeding 180,000 across 15 faculties offering 345 undergraduate, graduate, and postgraduate programmes, including Master's degrees, Doctorates, and Specialisations, UNC is a powerhouse of academic diversity and excellence. Its 145 research centres, complemented by 25 libraries and 17 museums, underscore the University's commitment to advancing knowledge across various disciplines.

UNC's dedication to free and secular education reaches diverse sectors and territories and expands the potential impact of educational initiatives. Furthermore, being located in the heart of Argentina, it attracts students from various provinces and neighbouring countries, contributing to a pollinated and multiplier effect of ideas in fostering academic and social advancements on a broader scale.

About the Platform for Introduction to New Economics (PINE)

The Platform for the Introduction to New Economics (PINE) was founded in 2019 to promote new economic models from a Latin American perspective, foster a vast network of changemakers, and connect movements and their leaders across the continent.

The Programme explores multiple approaches such as Doughnut Economics, Indigenous Knowledge and Good Living, Degrowth, Economy for the Common Good, Circular Economy, Regenerative Economy, Social and Solidarity Economy, Ethical Banking and Impact Investing, B Lab and B Corps, and Feminist Economy. For this, 17 experts join the classes, including Christian Felber, Carlota Saenz, Joan Melé, and Anja Lyngbaek. Together, we aim at redefining economic success by prioritising the well-being of individuals, society, and the environment. 

We used diverse techniques and methodologies (like Design Thinking, the Art of Hosting, and Theory U) to design a Transformative Learning Experience based on meaningful conversations, cultivating critical thinking, and fostering collective learning. We create the space and structures that support and empower the learners' involvement, building highly participatory dynamics in the classes and asking participants to translate New Economics concepts into their daily lives for their final assignment.

Deep Collaboration

Through prior collaborations, Melisa Díaz Acuña and Victor Mochkofsky, founders of PINE, built a foundation for their programme at the National University of Córdoba. Their work promoting Sistema B in Córdoba connected them for the first time with the Dean of the School of Economics at UNC, Jhon Boretto (now Director of the whole University), who was then exposed to new economic models, and this helped to establish trust. After the successful launch of PINE in 2019, Mr. Boretto invited them to develop a programme that introduced these concepts at the University. 

That was the keystone for the deep collaboration journey between the UNC and PINE, establishing shared vision and purpose, fostering shared leadership and recognising that joint work goes beyond immediate profitability to drive systemic change. We identify three pillars for building collaboration with a Public University:

Top Leadership Endorsement and Trust

The endorsement and credibility of the top authority at the University proved crucial for introducing this topics and overcoming internal resistance that arose when launching the Programme together. The Faculty of Economic Sciences (FCE) at the National University of Córdoba stands out in Latin America for its solid training in mathematical and econometric models, supported by a robust theoretical and methodological framework. The Diploma in New Economics faced criticism and resistance from some faculty members and researchers who believed the content lacked a scientific approach. There was a particular rejection of degrowth theories and the integration of ancestral knowledge, especially if UNC institutionally endorsed these topics. The backing of the top authority of the faculty was essential in overcoming this resistance. His message was that this internal resistance was a sign that the University was bringing in new concepts and moving in the right direction.

Open Communication within Multidisciplinary Teams

In-depth conversations with university staff, including focus groups with teachers, were essential to understand their concerns and perspectives on new economics. We designed and facilitated conversations with executives, team members, and teachers to address anxieties about credibility and academic integrity, fostering a collaborative spirit through open communication. We created a multidisciplinary team to bridge the gap between traditional practices and PINE's innovative approach, embracing our differences and learning from both organizations' internal processes. This collaborative effort facilitated smoother contract negotiations, budget allocations, and effective communication, particularly during the application and enrollment phases.

Measurable Results to Drive Credibility 

The initial success of PINE 2022, evidenced by positive feedback and strong demand, was beyond UNC's expectations. Usually, the University's short online programmes attract an average of 40 participants, primarily from Argentina. However, the 2022 inaugural edition of PINE had 117 participants from 10 countries. Encouraged by this response, the Programme's duration was extended and turned into the first New Economics Diploma in 2024, attracting 130 learners from 15 countries. 

Recognising our transformative educational approach and impact, we were honoured with the PRME 2023 International Award for the "Best Good Practice in Sustainability Education", emphasising our commitment to transformative learning. The jury highlighted our development of twelve different alternative economic models, our open approach to sharing quality resources in Spanish, the inter-institutional collaboration with the National University of Córdoba (UNC), and the full scholarship granted to university professors.

Impact and Learnings

Over the last three years of collaborative work, we have learned how to drive growth together and create a transformative learning experience for our students. We have also innovated in our internal processes, defining a regenerative and distritbutive budget. We have expanded the frontiers of the University with new frameworks to democratise knowledge, and we have learned how to approach university professors with new economics.

Defining a Regenerative Budget

Implementing new economics requires us to engage in discussions about money to incorporate new economic mindsets in the classroom and in our internal processes as well. We are experimenting with a regenerative and distributive budget based on the Doughnut Economics's approach. It is regenerative because we donate 5% of the diploma's value to organisations involved in the regeneration and restoration of natural ecosystems in the province of Córdoba. In 2022 we donated $225,000 (ARS) to the organisation called Sembradores de Agua, and in 2023, $618,000 (ARS) to the organisation Amigos de la Reserva San Martín from the city's only urban Nature Reserve. For this, we facilitated participatory workshops with experts in new economics, and the leadership of the faculty co-created a plan for assigning the budget and implementing it within the University's traditional framework. 

Commitment to Democratizing Knowledge

The democratisation of knowledge is a priority: all theoretical classes of PINE 2022 were published on YouTube. We published Cosecha (Harvest), the first magazine of New Economics for Latin America in Spanish, which was co-created by more than 80 and 100 people in 2022 and 2023, respectively. To build a repository and make information more accessible, we created and released a comparative table integrating all the new economics. To reflect the redistributive approach, we created eight partial scholarships for students and twelve full scholarships for UNC teachers from different faculties.

Reaching University Professors

The initial PINE Programme at UNC lacked university teachers’ participation. So we were missing the potential impact of introducing teachers to new economic theories. The second edition offered 15 scholarships to University teachers from different faculties and areas of the University, and we organised several focus groups to learn what barriers they encountered within the learning experience and how we could collaborate closely. 

These efforts revealed challenges: time constraints due to multi-institutional teaching and a shift from traditional educator roles to co-creation, trust in the collective intelligence and finding that academic knowledge is one dimension of this transformative learning ecosystem, but not the only one. On the other hand, we found the value of connecting teachers from different disciplines or faculties. In their testimonies, we heard the excitement in this knowledge exchange, which encouraged dialogue, active collaboration, and peer support. Weaving these collaborative networks between teachers innovating in different classrooms is vital for expanding new economics across the education system.

Conclusions and Future Opportunities for Latin America.

Higher education has a critical role in shaping our economy's future. Each year, universities graduate new cohorts of professionals equipped to sustain and enhance our current economic model. Yet, only a fraction possess the tools to innovate and design sustainable economic paradigms within the planetary boundaries. Integrating new economic approaches in mainstream education empowers students to think critically, integrate multiple theories, and foster innovation for systemic change. 

However, entering traditional institutions present challenges that require a new approach to collaboration. Our experience highlights the importance of open communication with facilitation methodologies. This fosters trust with university authorities, overcoming anxieties and promoting deep collaboration. This journey requires a willingness to explore a new territory, both theoretically and empirically, including discussions about money and resource management within the educational system.

We stand at a pivotal moment in Latin America politically, economically, and socially. Central to seizing these opportunities is elevating discussions surrounding new economic paradigms within the academic sphere. These discussions are indispensable for driving the imperative of change and fostering the development of a regenerative future for our region. PINE's success at UNC underscores the potential for broader adoption. Based on our learnings, three key areas require development: 1) connecting actors: mapping and fostering collaboration through existing initiatives and committed university Deans; 2) educators’ training: develop programmes to furnish faculty with new economics knowledge and transformative teaching skills; and 3) academic research: focus on Spanish-language resources, including translations and funding original research work by Latin American scholars.