^aUnited Nations University, Comparative Regional Integration Studies, UNU-CRIS; Grootseminarie; Potterierei, 72, Bruges BE-8000, Belgium. E-mail: cdeprado@cris.unu.edu

Abstract

International organizations dealing with higher education should pay more attention to the rise of autonomous world regional processes and explore synergies. This article gives an overview of new macro-regional processes around the world. The European case is the most salient, but developments in America and East Asia are also noticeable. In the rest of the world there is potential for innovative regional schemes. The paper outlines policy recommendations to the main multilateral organizations concerned with higher education. It suggests that UNESCO should prioritize monitoring and coordination; that World Trade Organisation–General Agreement on Trade in Services acknowledge the benefit of open regional processes in higher education; and that the World Bank decentralize its work further to regional organizations.