Latin American economies have historically been defined by serious structural heterogeneity which is largely responsible for the high levels of social inequality. Social inequality is seen as a fundamental obstacle to sustainable development in the region. A commitment assumed by all the countries of the region, reflected in their willingness to accomplish the Goals of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, is that significantly reducing inequality is one of the main challenges that the region faces. In the article the author will examine the approach to inequality expressed in the Agenda 2030, especially in the SDG 10. The multidimensional inequality phenomena will be referred to, with the special focus on Latin America. Some of the axes and aspects of social inequality will be addressed to, drawing attention to what solutions are proposed by the Agenda 2030. Recent trends in reducing inequality in Latin America will also be analysed.

Science and higher education have always been intensely internationalized areas of human activity. Especially in the era of globalization, higher education systems around the world face the challenge of internationalization. Internationalization not only strengthens opportunities for development, but is seen as an inevitable necessity in the globalizing and strongly competitive world. Although there is a long-standing tradition of academic cooperation between Poland and Mexico, the changing reality enforces increased efforts to build a more conscious, comprehensive relationship with measurable, long-lasting results. Since ad hoc contacts between individual researchers are not sufficient any longer, a complex, realistic vision of such cooperation is needed. Universities in Poland and Mexico start to see the opportunity to intensify cooperation, which – effectively explored – can significantly contribute to a nation’s economic competitiveness in general and to understanding the nature of trends and challenges in international higher education. The author discusses current activities within the framework of academic cooperation between the two countries and the most important initiatives that may bring closer cooperation in the future. A special focus will be put on the challenges faced by both countries in higher education cooperation schemes, as seen from the Polish perspective.

W artykule przedstawiono proces uzależnienia gospodarki Wenezueli od przemysłu naftowego w ujęciu historycznym i wskazano na strukturalne przyczyny obecnego kryzysu gospodarczego. Omówiono główne skutki podporządkowania kraju przychodom z ropy naftowej, w tym ekonomiczne, polityczne, społeczno-kulturowe i w zakresie demokratyzacji. Przedstawiono obecną sytuację gospodarczą kraju jako konsekwencję postępującego powiązania gospodarki z przemysłem naftowym i braku dywersyfikacji gospodarczej kraju.

The aim of the article is to analyze the events in the Latin American region in 2019, which took a form of social protests known as the "Latin American Spring". Although the duration, methods, reach, dynamics and degree of radicalization differed from country to country, a common regional characterization can be made. The article analyzes the causes of the protests and places them in the historical, political, economic and social context, indicating many similarities and common features. The article is based on participant observations (in Chile and Argentina) and an analysis of media relations and reports prepared by foreign research centers.

The interest of Latin American countries in space research has been successfully developing for many decades. It has its roots in the first development programmes for the Brazilian and Argentinian defence industry within the import substitution strategy, and then the export-oriented strategy during the period of the military rule. The endogenous development of space technology was treated in those countries as a priority and served as a way to diffuse technology to other industries, and as a model for the other countries in the region (Peru and Venezuela), which wished to develop outer space programme by developing their own technologies within the chosen range or by partaking in broader cooperation programmes on the Latin American continent [1]. The Latin American space agencies, which already existed in many countries in the 1960s and the 1970s, were carrying out relatively costly research, treating development in this area not only as the achievement of the economic development objectives, but also as an attempt to oppose the dominance of Washington [2]. Despite of the vast funding on endogenous research in the field of space engineering being provided, until the end of the last century only the projects conducted together with the Soviet Union (Cuba) or The United States were accomplished successfully. Currently and in the nearest future, the Latin American countries are still forced to rely on external assistance with satellite launching, expertise, more advanced technologies, etc. It should be noticed that countries conducting advanced and costly space programmes: the United States, Russia, China and the European Union (especially France and – but to a substantially lesser degree – Italy) show a growing interest in cooperation with Latin America and appreciation towards their specialists, high quality research and space technologies.