A delegation from the Vicerrectoría de Investigación y Postgrado (Vicerectorate of Research and Postgraduate Studies) at the Universidad de la Frontera in Chile (UFRO) visited various educational institutions in Boston, USA. Their primary objective was to learn about best practices and promote institutional strengthening in the fields of Humanities and Arts.
During their visit to Harvard University, they had the opportunity to meet with Doris Sommer, who emphasized the significance of humanities in the contemporary world and presented key initiatives like Renaissance Now, Cultural Agents, and Pre-Texts. This visit was made possible with the support of Dr. José Falconi, advisor to the Conocimiento 2030 (CON2030) initiative.
In this context, Dr. Carolina Navarrete González, the Director of the Centro Interdisciplinario en Investigación y Creación Artística (Interdisciplinary Center for Research and Artistic Creation Project) at UFRO, stressed the importance of the topics discussed.
She stated, “The impact of art on the economy, the concept of culture as a dynamic force, and the role of the humanities as a starting point for multiple interpretations and questions about the challenges facing society are now crucial themes. They are essential for fostering a more democratic, inclusive citizenship with critical thinking that contributes to ongoing debates.”
The delegation also met with representatives from the University of Connecticut, Tufts University, Massachusetts College of Art & Design, and the MIT Media Lab. Additionally, they engaged with university professors and prominent Chilean artists residing in Boston, such as Constanza Alarcón Tennen, Cristobal Cea, Eulogio Guzmán, and the Mapuche visual artist and filmmaker, Francisco Huichaqueo.
