Latin America and the Caribbean, as with other regions, continue to face serious challenges, including fragility of democratic institutions and increasing social and economic inequality. In the past decades, access to higher education has been demonstrated to be key in furthering democratic societies and increasing participation. In the aftermath of the pandemic crisis, the role of higher education, in developing and sustaining a culture of democracy and participation, will be even greater. Higher education must be seen as an essential means through which to support and strengthen the values and structures of a just and inclusive society. This book seeks to engage the leaders, students and staff of higher education institutions in Latin America and the Caribbean in a conversation around how we might share best practice. We consider how universities can better address the issues of social inclusion and educational access with excluded communities, such as the original peoples and the Afro‐descendants, within a framework of democratic values.

This book is an important step in the creation of this Learning Community and presents an overview of the democratic mission and civic engagement across higher education in Latin America and the Caribbean. It serves to bring together diverse voices and the experiences of different countries and higher education institutions. The decision to publish in English rather than Spanish, the language of the majority of the contributors, is a considered one as we see the book having a role in bringing the Latin American and Caribbean experiences and lessons to a wider global audience. Thus, Latin America and the Caribbean seek to join the global conversation on the democratic mission and civic engagement, referencing the region's own rich and

varied experience over the years.