The director of the UNESCO Regional Science Office for Latin America and the Caribbean, Lidia Brito, said today during the inauguration of the first open science forum, which brings together some 200 experts in this field from various countries, that "it opens up » for the development of the region.
latino.foxnews.com
This is the First Open Science Forum of Latin America and the Caribbean (CILAC) that seeks to promote dialogue between science, politics and citizenship in pursuit of better development scenarios for people.
«We can guarantee that rulers, academics, companies and society come together to talk about sustainable development, and how science, technology and innovation are drivers of this development and open paths (...), to guarantee the development that our region needs », he told the press.
He added that what UNESCO, organizer of this initiative, expects from this meeting, is to "make the compromise" of science, technology and innovation, which in his opinion "is fundamental" so that countries can "do well" the process of application of the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
In this sense, Brito pointed out that during the three days of activities, in which the participation of representatives of governments, companies and academic institutions from about 15 countries is expected, all topics framed in compliance with the SDGs will be discussed.
He highlighted the "diversity of institutions", which in his opinion, "have to play a very important role", not only in research, but in the creation of the critical mass that "the region needs" to "be able to face global challenges." » that are presented to you.
The activities will revolve around five thematic axes: scientific policies, universities for development, cultivating sciences and citizenship, sciences for the 2030 Agenda, and sciences for business innovation, on which the participation of some 280 speakers from around the world is expected.
Cilac seeks to establish itself as a platform to define common positions around a scientific agenda for sustainable development, and to bring the voice of the region to the global level of the World Science Forum, which will take place in Jordan in 2017.
In this context, the director valued that "more than a product" it is expected that the region, after this activity, will have "a clear vision" of how science can be used for transformation.
"For Jordan we plan to have a summary of the great challenges that the region has and the great opportunities and to be able to discuss them in a forum where the voice of Latin America and the Caribbean is well represented," he assured.
This open regional science meeting was officially inaugurated by the president of Uruguay, Tabaré Vázquez, who highlighted the importance of this initiative due to its "pioneer status."
"Let me emphasize the pioneering condition and the open character and the regional dimension of this forum, which I especially value, since nothing is more contrary to science, from my humble point of view, than isolation and routine," he said.
In turn, the Uruguayan head of state referred to the "revolutionary" plans for education and technological inclusion such as Ceibal, an educational project through which the State provides a laptop to each student and teacher in public schools.
Next, Vázquez mentioned the Ibirapitá plan, a commitment by the Uruguayan Government, an extension of Ceibal, to advance the digital inclusion of older people through the delivery of a tablet.
"We scientists are irrevocably committed to our values and commitments," he concluded.