On this occasion, CILAC interviewed Diego Golombek, UNESCO Kalinga Prize for the Popularization of Science 2015, awarded within the framework of the World Science Forum that year in Budapest.
As his Wikipedia profile tells us, he largely inherited the scientific passion of his father, who was a physicist, which led him to study biology at the University of Buenos Aires. Beyond his renowned research work, Diego is a scientist known mainly for his scientific dissemination work in Argentina, which is why he won the Konex 2007 award and again in 2017, this time the Platinum Konex. Among his activities as disseminator, his participation in the "Científicos Industria Argentina" program and the edition of the book collection "Ciencia que ladra..." stands out, which has the best-selling book in Argentina with more than 500,000 copies. He was also a scientific advisor for the Discovery Channel, "La Fábrica". In addition, he was host of the Proyecto G program on the Encuentro channel in Argentina.
1) In the first edition of the CILAC Forum, in 2016, you maintained that it is an initiative that is fundamental and that must be maintained. Why this statement? What is, in your opinion, the role of CILAC in the region?
The countries of Latin America and the Caribbean are not generally characterized by a truly mature scientific-technological system that, in addition to generating genuine knowledge, has an impact on public policies in the region. These ambitious objectives are only possible in a collaborative framework, which in turn depends on having spaces for debate to share experiences and plan collaborations. CILAC can be established precisely in that space.
2) In contemporary societies, the role of scientific knowledge is increasingly relevant and strategic. In your perspective, both from your role as a scientist and in your vocation as a science communicator, how can scientific knowledge contribute to overcoming the great scourges of Latin America and the Caribbean, especially inequalities?
Let us remember above all that science is a way of understanding reality, rational, experimental (particularly with regard to the natural sciences) and devoid of mythologies and the principle of authority. It is in this framework that the necessary knowledge can be obtained to eventually find applications and solutions to local and regional problems. When nations see science and scientists as allies to think about the world and plan lines of action, as well as when scientists understand that part of our role is clearly social (including the dissemination of knowledge), we will all be on the same side as to identify priority problems and the developments required to address them.
3) In his latest book, “Un autre science est possible!” Belgian Isabelle Stengers advocates what she calls “public intelligence of science.” What is, in your opinion, the potential value of a citizenry that incorporates the scientific spirit into daily life?
There are many values, potential and real. On the one hand, spreading the scientific outlook of the world is already a value in itself – it is possibly the greatest of human inventions. But it also collaborates with the making of more rational decisions, with an investigative and non-conformist search in nature, with critical views and thoughts in the face of social impositions and, even, with a lesser influence of prejudices when it comes to social relationships.
4) If a Permanent Regional Forum of Ministers of Science and Technology were established in LAC, what would be the first three alerts or recommendations that you consider should be taken into account in the design of scientific policies?
The first would be for S&T systems to actively collaborate with science education at all levels. The second would imply active participation of scientists in institutional life, creating the figure of "ministerial scientist" who collaborates in various portfolios, as well as an advisory commission for public policies. And finally, it would seek the appropriate balance between the search for knowledge (the so-called "basic science") and its potential to achieve relevant applications for the region.
5) What impact did it have? the Kalinga Award in your professional life?
After carrying out intense work for a long time in popularizing science, with a particular format and style in different media, international recognition on the one hand fills me with pride, while at the same time giving an indication that the path chosen is correct. , always keeping in mind that, beyond being an individual award, it represents a joint approach that we have built in the country over all these years.