Local education governance and policy transfer in early childhood within Latin America and the Caribbean

Abstract

The article analyzes the diffusion of the global governance agenda for early childhood in Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC) through the transfer of educational policies between multilateral organizations (MOs) and their adaptation in national contexts. Using a descriptive-analytical methodology, the study examines national and international documents to map childhood education policies and programs adopted by countries through agreements with MOs. The analysis highlights the convergence between the global-regional agenda and childhood education policies in the region, with MOs playing a significant role in policy transfer. Organizations such as UNESCO and UNICEF act as mediators in this process, building alliances and institutionalizing specific policies, such as non-formal intersectoral programs for early childhood education. The transfer of education policies, combined with research on global expert networks, enhances the understanding of mechanisms for reproducing and adapting global policies to local contexts. In summary, the study emphasizes that the alignment of international and national agendas influences the implementation of education reforms in Latin America and the Caribbean, showing that it is not a spontaneous phenomenon but a result of social and political construction.