# Latin American School for Social Sciences

> Regional University System

**Wikidata**: [Q255898](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q255898)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Latin_American_Faculty_of_Social_Sciences)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/latin-american-school-for-social-sciences

## Summary
The Latin American School for Social Sciences (FLACSO) is a regional university system established in 1957, primarily based in San José, Costa Rica, and operating as both a research institute and faculty focused on social sciences across multiple Latin American countries.

## Key Facts
- Founded in 1957 in Costa Rica
- Headquarters located in San José, Costa Rica
- Functions as both a research institute and faculty
- Regional university system with subsidiaries in Mexico, Dominican Republic, Chile, El Salvador, Cuba, Guatemala, Ecuador, and Argentina
- Member of UNESCO (observer status), ANUIES (since February 7, 2024), and International Science Council (since October 9, 2022)
- Official website: flacso.org (primarily in Spanish)
- Also known as Facultad Latinoamericana de Ciencias Sociales and Latin American Faculty of Social Sciences
- Short name: FLACSO

## FAQs
### Q: What is the Latin American School for Social Sciences?
A: The Latin American School for Social Sciences (FLACSO) is a regional university system established in 1957, operating primarily as a research institute and faculty focused on social sciences with headquarters in San José, Costa Rica.

### Q: How many countries does FLACSO operate in?
A: FLACSO operates as a regional system with subsidiaries in at least eight Latin American countries: Mexico, Dominican Republic, Chile, El Salvador, Cuba, Guatemala, Ecuador, and Argentina.

### Q: When was FLACSO founded?
A: FLACSO was founded in 1957, making it one of the oldest regional institutions focused on social sciences in Latin America.

### Q: Is FLACSO part of any international organizations?
A: Yes, FLACSO is an observer member of UNESCO and a member of both ANUIES (since February 7, 2024) and the International Science Council (since October 9, 2022).

### Q: What is the main language used by FLACSO?
A: The official website of FLACSO is primarily in Spanish, though the institution operates across multiple Spanish-speaking countries in Latin America.

## Why It Matters
The Latin American School for Social Sciences represents a significant regional educational and research network dedicated to advancing social sciences across Latin America. As one of the oldest institutions of its kind in the region, FLACSO has played a crucial role in training professionals and conducting research on social, economic, and political issues affecting Latin American countries. Its regional structure allows for comparative studies and collaboration across national boundaries, addressing challenges that transcend individual nations. By maintaining subsidiaries in multiple countries, FLACSO fosters a shared academic culture and research agenda while adapting to local contexts, making it uniquely positioned to contribute to regional development and social progress in Latin America.

## Notable For
- Being one of the oldest regional social science institutions in Latin America, established in 1957
- Operating as both a research institute and faculty, combining research with higher education
- Maintaining a unique regional university system structure with subsidiaries across eight Latin American countries
- Holding observer status with UNESCO, indicating international recognition of its regional importance
- Using the DOI prefix 10.17141 for academic publications, contributing to scholarly communication

## Body
### Institutional Identity
The Latin American School for Social Sciences (FLACSO) is formally recognized as both a research institute and faculty, operating as a regional university system rather than a traditional university. It maintains its primary administrative location in San José, Costa Rica, though it functions across multiple Latin American countries through a network of subsidiaries.

### Organizational Structure
FLACSO operates as a regional institution with subsidiaries in at least eight Latin American countries:
- FLACSO México
- FLACSO República Dominicana
- FLACSO Chile
- FLACSO El Salvador
- FLACSO Cuba
- FLACSO Guatemala
- FLACSO Ecuador
- FLACSO Argentina

This structure allows FLACSO to maintain a regional perspective while addressing local contexts and needs in each country where it operates.

### International Affiliations
FLACSO has established relationships with several international organizations:
- UNESCO: Member with observer status
- ANUIES: Member since February 7, 2024
- International Science Council: Member since October 9, 2022

These affiliations demonstrate FLACSO's position within the broader academic and research community and its commitment to international collaboration in social sciences.

### Identification Systems
The institution is registered in multiple identification systems:
- ISNI: 0000000122926259
- ROR ID: 01ze10m80
- GRID ID: grid.503750.4
- VIAF IDs: 146908135, 140487524
- Library of Congress Authority ID: n91019338
- Freebase ID: /m/0286zf2
- Ringgold ID: 184994

### Digital Presence
FLACSO maintains its official online presence through flacso.org, a website primarily in Spanish that serves as a hub for information about the institution and its activities.

### Academic Publishing
The institution uses the DOI prefix 10.17141 for academic publications, specifically under the name "Crossref - Fac. Latinoamericana de Ciencias Sociales (flcs)," contributing to standardized citation of research produced by FLACSO scholars.

### Distinction from Similar Institutions
FLACSO is distinct from Instituto Latinoamericano de Investigaciones Sociales, a different organization that should not be confused with the Latin American School for Social Sciences.

## References

1. The pact: the history of the Kirchner-Verbitsky agreement
2. GRID Release 2017-01-10
3. [Source](https://council.science/members/online-directory/)
4. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
5. Virtual International Authority File
6. GRID Release 2019-02-17
7. Aligned ISNI and Ringgold identifiers for institutions
8. National Library of Israel Names and Subjects Authority File