By NIHR LatAm Centre
Lima, Peru, served as the venue for the II NIHR LatAm Centre Meeting, where researchers, technical teams, and coordination representatives from Pontificia Universidad Javeriana (Colombia), Universidad Rafael Landívar (Guatemala), Universidad Unifranz (Bolivia), and partners from the United Kingdom, including Queen Mary University of London, gathered alongside decision-makers from different institutions linked to health and research processes across the region.
The meeting aimed to consolidate the progress built over the past three years within the Health Research Centre, align regional priorities, and define the strategic leap that will shape the Centre’s next phase in Latin America.
The week provided an opportunity to assess key results and major achievements. Preliminary findings from pilot projects implemented in each country were presented, and lessons learned from participatory methodologies were shared.
The progress achieved over these three years was highlighted by the Centre’s own members, as stated by Lucia Alvarado, Bolivia Project Manager:
“Within what we have accomplished as a Centre during this second edition, we are now seeing tangible results. Initially, during the previous meeting, we were mapping the path forward, and now we can clearly observe concrete outcomes from the different pilots carried out throughout this year in the various countries. We have also had the pleasure of sharing space with our early career researchers and witnessing the results of their completed thesis projects. Seeing the outcomes of the training in which the Centre has strongly invested has been a great source of satisfaction for us.”
Scientific advances presented by the Centre’s fellows demonstrated the strengthening of research capacities in the region and the consolidation of a new generation of scientists committed to public health in Latin America.
From the fellows’ perspective, the meeting represented an opportunity to broaden perspectives. In the words of Iliana Francineth Curiel, CEI Collaborator and Fellow from Colombia:
“We discussed our research, put ourselves in other people’s positions, and learning about what your colleagues are investigating magnifies the network. It has been a wonderful meeting, and I leave feeling grateful for new ways of learning and understanding.”
The meeting also addressed governance processes, regional coordination, financial management, monitoring mechanisms, and the Centre’s operational structure, as well as its capacity to respond to diverse contexts. The strategic discussion centered on a key question: how to expand and sustain the Centre’s impact beyond current funding. This involves ensuring long-term academic and financial sustainability, consolidating partnerships, and generating new development opportunities.
The exchange of knowledge and experiences among teams from each country enabled the identification of research-derived lessons, recognition of shared challenges, and the projection of joint solutions — reinforcing one of the Centre’s core principles: working with and for communities.
Collaboration was one of the most highly valued aspects by participants. Werner Sierra, Research Coordinator and Fellow from Guatemala, shared the following reflection:
“I am very pleased to be part of these activities where the three countries come together. This exchange of knowledge and different perspectives allows us to grow. I leave with a suitcase full of knowledge and learning from many viewpoints — very happy.”
This II Meeting strengthened not only academic and technical coordination but also trust among partner institutions — a fundamental element for the sustainable development of the network. During the week, future actions were defined that will mark an important milestone for the Centre, particularly the development of large-scale studies that will expand the regional scope of the evidence generated.
From an institutional perspective, these in-person spaces also consolidate leadership and long-term vision within partner universities. As reaffirmed by Adriana Buitrago López, Colombia Project Manager:
“These in-person meetings help us identify who we are, recognize one another as individuals, and acknowledge the skills and capacities we have acquired. We have seen significant growth in many people. Hopefully, decisions will be made within each institution to ensure that these research centres and groups endure, transmitting knowledge about conducting high-quality research and maintaining a support network to make it possible.”
We extend our gratitude to the national teams, researchers, strategic partners, and technical staff who made this meeting possible. Their commitment not only consolidates what has already been achieved but also positions NIHR LatAm as a regional platform capable of sustaining and expanding research with real impact across Latin America.