Universidades regionales y capacidades de funcionarios subnacionales en materia ambiental. Un estudio comparativo entre dos departamentos amazónicos de Perú y Colombia

The relationship between regional universities and the capacities of subnational government officials in Amazonian contexts remains largely unexplored. Examining and discussing this issue could drive meaningful changes in local governance and development. This thesis takes a qualitative approach to analyze this relationship within the broader context of asymmetric decentralization and ongoing deforestation in the Amazon. The study focuses on two Amazonian regions in Peru and Colombia, allowing for a comparative perspective on the dynamics between these institutions at the regional level. The findings suggest that the narrative of limited capacities among subnational officials serves as a trap, obscuring deeper structural issues related to centralism and exclusion. Moreover, the lack of recognition of the relationship between subnational governments and regional universities prevents the effective use of their combined expertise to generate evidence that could support decision-making, governance, and sustainable local development.