North–South educational partnership on marine sciences: the Latin American experiences and perspectives

The Agenda 21, the major document outcoming from the conference at Rio 1992, includes Chapter 17, where the challenge for an appropriate management of the Ocean and Coastal ecosystems, was addressed. This paper attempts to analyze the Latin American experiences and perspectives to accomplish the goals for human resource development needed for the sustainable management of Oceans and Coasts according to the Agenda 21. To do so, the following topics have been developed: (i) short review on the status of the scientific research and formation in Latin America, (ii) analysis of the major trends and patterns for educational partnership in Marine Sciences and Technology in the region, (iii) examination of the areas of the Chapter 17 that have been best accomplished in the region, (iv) examples of bilateral efforts between European and Latin American institutions for regional scientific development, (v) main problems for establishing educational partnerships on Oceans and Coastal issues. Finally, some initiatives for a plan of action, are proposed.