Rio Cuarto and the challenge of its local internationalization

Abstract

Introduction: The study addressed the growing relevance acquired by subnational governments in the international arena. In this context, we examined the city of Río Cuarto, Córdoba, which, due to its economic and cultural profile, represented an actor with international potential. Its sustained development prompted its leaders to seek greater prominence in global scenarios, although without a clear institutional structure for this purpose.
Development: Fundamental concepts such as glocalization, paradiplomacy and decentralized cooperation were reviewed. The author explained how municipalities, through planned strategies, were able to take advantage of international opportunities without contradicting national foreign policy. Rio Cuarto, however, lacked an entity specialized in international relations, which generated a dispersed and ineffective management. The advantages of integrating city networks were highlighted, since they facilitated the exchange of knowledge, technical cooperation and the formulation of joint policies. In addition, sustainable local development was highlighted as an integrating axis that contemplated economic, environmental, social and institutional dimensions, reinforcing the idea that internationalization should not be an end in itself, but a means to improve the quality of life in the territory.
Conclusions: The analysis evidenced that, despite Rio Cuarto's potential, the lack of institutionalism limited its international projection. It was concluded that only through solid strategic planning, based on the articulation between the local and the global, could the city consolidate itself as an effective and sustainable international actor aligned with its local priorities.