Philanthropic Governance in Latin America's Education: The Growing Influence of the Varkey Foundation

• In Event: Leadership and Curriculum in an International Context

Abstract

New philanthropy has increasingly blurred sector boundaries in education, both within and across countries. The Varkey Foundation (VF) is a global philanthropic organization established by GEMS Education, among the largest education conglomerates worldwide, which has rampantly gained influence in Latin America. Through policy advocacy, teacher-training programs and research activities, the VF has become a key policy player regionally. Landed in Argentina in 2016 to implement a headteacher training program, it now also operates in Ecuador and Colombia. This paper explores how the VF is expanding throughout Latin America, by using a case-study methodology with social network analysis to understand how new philanthropy and global networks reshape education governance. Findings identify nodal actors and ‘landing’ practices to unravel this growing phenomenon.

Authors

• Tomas Esper, Teachers College, Columbia University

• Ivan Matovich, Monash University