The Philippine Academic Consortium for Latin American Studies (PACLAS) is a network of academic and research institutions and facilities fostering mutual cooperation in a wide spectrum of endeavor involving Latin American studies.  Among the major areas of interest to the network include Academic cooperation in the field of Latin American Studies and Philippine Historical and Cultural Heritage, Revitalization of Philippine-Latin American relations towards a more dynamic, political, economic, cultural partnership through participation in existing fields of cultural and educational agreement between the Philippines and Latin America, Contribution to and enhancement of the work in multilateral fora including the Forum for East Asia-Latin America Cooperation (FEALAC), Cooperation with other Consortia or centers for Latin American Studies all over the world through joint research facilities and in the production of materials including books, journals, CD-Rom, etc.

The formal Memorandum of Understanding was formalized on November 20, 2002 at the Department of Foreign Affairs with presidents and representatives of member schools and institutions present to witness the occasion.  The Ambassadors of Latin American countries to the Philippines were also present as observers of the event.