The article presents some reflections on the relationship between university, society and knowledge policy in Latin America. To do so, the past and present situation of higher education in the región are considered, along with questions regarding the future of children and youth who are currently attending the education systems. Four axes of analysis are considered: "the University that Latin America could have had", "the University we do have", "University and society: democratization" and "University and Knowledge: Innovation". Through these, and based on a diagnosis of the current situation of the education systems of the region, its founding mandates and promises yet to be fulfilled, the need to innovate is postulated. For example, a reflection based on the first results of a survey conducted by NIFEDE (UNTREF) on innovation in public universities in Argentina emerges. The paper concludes with some proposals for a new university in Latin America based on two dimensions. Firstly, a number of challenges facing policies for higher education in the region and secondly the challenges that institutions of higher education must face so that these policies achieve the results that the Knowledge Society requires from the University.
University; Latin America; University and society; Knowledge policy; Innovation; Challenges for the region; Institutional strategies