The Latin American School of Development Studies (ELADES) of the Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC) and the University Program on Development Studies (PUED) of the National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM) have opened applications for the first edition of the Summer Course on Development Studies for Mexico and Central America, to be held from June 8 to 26, 2026, at the facilities of the UNAM Institute of Economic Research.

The 2026 Summer Course is being held to mark the 75th anniversary of ECLAC's Subregional Headquarters in Mexico, and will bring together distinguished professors and researchers from ECLAC, UNAM, and other leading institutions dedicated to development studies.

The program will be structured around six modules as follows:

Comprehensive Development:

• Philosophy of Development
• Subjective Well-being
• Multidimensional Poverty
• Sustainable Development Goals

Human Development:

• Food and Nutritional Security
• Cognitive and Socioemotional Development
• Education
• Health

Social Development:

• Social Capital, Cohesion and Trust
• Social Protection
• Migration
• Aging and the Care Society

Economic Development:

• Productive Development and Value Chains
• Employment
• Agricultural Development
• Science, Technology and Innovation

Political Development:

• Democracy
• Institutions
• Territorial Development and Multilevel Governance
• Drug Trafficking, Crime and Armed Conflict

Sustainable Development:

• Climate Change
• Biodiversity and Conservation
• Energy Transition
• Responsible Consumption

In addition, the Course will include three thematic forums with subject-matter specialists.

Sessions will take place Monday through Thursday from 9:00 to 13:30, and on Fridays from 10:00 to 12:00.

The course and registration are free of charge; however, participants will be responsible for covering their own transportation, accommodation and meal expenses.

To receive course accreditation, attendance at a minimum of 80% of sessions is required.

The course is open to any applicant meeting the requirements. Preference will be given, however, to those who have recently completed an undergraduate, specialization or master's degree, or who are currently enrolled in postgraduate studies in related social science or humanities disciplines, as well as to those engaged in research on topics covered by the course program.

This call is open to nationals of Mexico, Belize, Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, Panama, Cuba and the Dominican Republic. A maximum of 40 participants will be accepted.

Applications will be open from April 24 to May 10, 2026. Acceptance notifications will be sent on May 17, 2026.

Interested applicants must complete the following form: https://forms.gle/xKcgtMBLmjGURXv26

Applicants will be required to:

• Provide the personal information and documents requested in the registration and application form. The institutions will handle all information in accordance with applicable privacy legislation.
• Demonstrate, through the information provided, that they hold an undergraduate degree and, where applicable, documentation showing completed or ongoing specialization, master's or other postgraduate studies.
• Include the contact details of a supervisor or someone familiar with their academic background who, upon request from the Selection Committee, can speak to the applicant's academic training and confirm their suitability for the program.

Any questions regarding this call should be directed to the Selection Committee.