Compostela Group of Universities participates in the formalisation of the first Ibero-American programme on shared cultural routes

International cooperation in the field of culture and heritage gained momentum following the meeting held in La Rábida, Huelva (Spain), from 4 to 6 June 2026, during which the Compostela Group of Universities (CGU) and representatives of higher education institutions and international organisations agreed on a programme to create a common system in Ibero-America to recognise, develop and certify cultural routes and itineraries.

This cultural recognition programme aims to contribute to strengthening ties with Ibero-American countries and to the smart growth of territories, while also promoting regional cultural cooperation and supporting initiatives capable of generating sustainable economic, educational and tourism development. The collaborating institutions also seek to find solutions to some of the main structural challenges faced by many cultural and natural routes, as well as to increase international coordination, technical training and external funding.

The CGU was represented at the meeting by its executive secretary, María Teresa Carballeira, who had the opportunity to present the network and the activities it carries out related to the Camino de Santiago and other cultural routes in Ibero-America, such as the Debate Seminar on the Qhapaq Ñan route, held in the Peruvian city of Cusco in June 2024, and the Academic Training Workshop on the Camino Real de Tierra Adentro, organised with the University of Guadalajara (Mexico) in June 2019.

This historic meeting was organised and promoted by the Organization of Ibero-American States (OEI), in collaboration with the Spanish Agency for International Development Cooperation (AECID) and with the support of the Provincial Council of Huelva and the Ministry of Culture of Spain.