CILAC 2021 core themes

Science is a Human Right. This is what the Universal Declaration of Human Rights considers in its article 27 when it says: “Everyone has the right… to participate in scientific progress and the benefits that result from it… Everyone has the right to the protection of moral interests and materials that correspond to it due to scientific productions…” It also deepens with the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (article 15) and at the inter-American level with the American Convention on Human Rights, in particular, with article 14 of the Protocol of San Salvador on Social and Cultural Economic Rights – DESC..

CILAC 2021 will focus on the role of science as an inclusion vector. In that sense, in addition to exploring in particular the different approaches to the relationship between science and inclusion, focus will be given to how technological convergence at the hands of the Digital Economy and productive integration contribute to more inclusive societies, exploring, at the same time time, the ethical and social limits for these new advances in knowledge. In addition, there will be sessions open to other relevant topics that allow to delineate a clear agenda on the priorities and challenges of the region in Science, Technology and Innovation.

CILAC 2021 Themes

Science is a Human Right. This is what the Universal Declaration of Human Rights considers in its article 27 when it says: “Everyone has the right… to participate in scientific progress and the benefits that result from it… Everyone has the right to the protection of moral interests and materials that correspond to it due to scientific productions…” It also deepens with the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (article 15) and at the inter-American level with the American Convention on Human Rights, in particular, with article 14 of the Protocol of San Salvador on Social and Cultural Economic Rights – DESC..

CILAC 2020 will focus on the role of science as an inclusion vector. In that sense, in addition to exploring in particular the different approaches to the relationship between science and inclusion, focus will be given to how technological convergence at the hands of the Digital Economy and productive integration contribute to more inclusive societies, exploring, at the same time time, the ethical and social limits for these new advances in knowledge. In addition, there will be sessions open to other relevant topics that allow to delineate a clear agenda on the priorities and challenges of the region in Science, Technology and Innovation.

Main themes
Artificial Intelligence, ethical and social challenges for development

Our societies today have in their internal plot a connecting thread between the productive, scientific, technological and cultural genre that is none other than the participation of artificial intelligence in all the daily processes of our lives.

Will it be necessary to establish a technovigilance for artificial intelligence similar to the pharmacovigilance that is currently used for drugs? Can artificial intelligence systems be regulated to take care of user privacy? Will the algorithms be allowed to make decisions without knowing the mechanisms involved and without the intervention of a human? Will the existing inequities increase? How is changing the way of doing science, developing technology and innovating from AI?

Digital Economy and productive integration

The basis of the new economy is the convergence between content, networks, platforms and technological applications, and its encounter with industries and activities based on creativity. The global productive scenario is experiencing a strong digital convergence whose inclusive trends can be harnessed for the creation of quality jobs, cultural integration in the scientific, artistic, technological field and to face the challenges of the great cities of the future (namely, accessibility, food, housing, etc.).

Articulating science, art and technology, generating income, creating employment, inspiring minds, improving the quality of life and generating sustainable growth. What are the challenges that this convergent path opens to society? Is “industry 4.0” an opportunity or threat to Latin America and the Caribbean?

It is important to highlight that in 2023 the International Exhibition recognized by the Bureau International des Expositions (BIE) will be held in 2023 in Buenos Aires, Argentina, with the theme “Creative industries in digital convergence”.

Inclusive Science

Innovation and development are only achieved when society as a whole participants in the creation of knowledge in favor of prosperity, and in this process the inclusion of minorities that were excluded during years of technological scientific production is inescapable.

In order to guarantee access to the benefits of the advancement of Science and Technology, UNESCO is working, from its normalizing function, in the drafting of various recommendations, which highlights the recommendation for Science. And in its work of promotion, in programs of scientific advice and diplomacy, of education and scientific culture, in promoting gender equity in science, in promoting open science and access to scientific information.

Is it possible to democratize science and technology when their role in capital accumulation intensifies and social inequality increases? Is science and technology a source of inequality or a channel for inclusion?

Intervention areas

Science for business innovation

How to design innovative strategies, integrate visions and stimulate dialogue between agents (companies, governments, academia and civil society).

  • University – Companies
  • Technological poles
  • Corporate social responsibility
  • Green economy
  • Policies for companies to innovate
  • Sustainable human development

Cultivating science and citizenship

  • science education
  • Promotion of scientific vocations
  • scientific dissemination
  • Science, citizenship and democracy
  • Media, science and audiences
  • ICTs building scientific spirit
  • Cultivating science and citizenship: the teaching of Science, Technology and Society

Universities for development

Promote that research agendas incorporate problems of great social relevance, cooperating in the search for solutions to collective problems.

  • Higher Education Financing
  • Research agendas and stimulus system
  • Higher Education Management indicators
  • University scientific knowledge transfer
  • The University – Company potential
  • Science training
  • Researchers Training
  • Infrastructures and devices for scientific development
  • The promotion of university research: political orientation and support instruments
  • Academic evaluation

Science policies

Formulate better evidence-based science, technology and innovation public policies and face the challenges of sustainable development and social transformations.

  • STI governance and financing
  • Strategies and technical assistance devices for governments
  • Scientific diplomacy
  • Ethics of science
  • Gender equality in the scientific field
  • Incentives for young researchers
  • Scientific cooperation
  • Ancestral knowledge and its knowledge systems
  • Democratic discussion of the CTI
  • Policies for sustainable development