The Government of Canada funds research projects

The National Secretariat for Science, Technology and Innovation (Senacyt) held the inaugural meeting for projects funded by the Canadian government, through the International Center for Research on Canada development (IDRC), in conjunction with the Secretariat of the Central American University Council (CSUCA) and the Central American Integration System (SICA), to promote science, innovation and technology from an inclusive and open scientific approach.

The aim of the event was to make official the launch of two regional projects aimed at being a networking space between institutions specializing in Science, Technology and Innovation (STI) in Central America, promoting regional dialogue and collaborative action and generating contacts and follow-up. – Follow-up mechanisms, aimed at ensuring optimal implementation of comprehensive science, technology and innovation projects based on open Central American science, technology and innovation policy.

These projects are part of a call launched by the Research Center for International Development in December 2021 for Latin America and the Caribbean, which is divided into two streams.

On the one hand, the project “Strengthening Inclusive Systems of Science and Innovation in Latin America through a Collaborative Research Network” is supported by the current 1, led by CSUCA, and will last for five years and aims to become an essential element contributing to the promotion of the process of inclusion required by the societies of America Central.

The project considers that its results will provide solutions to the urgent need to improve the inclusion process for the benefit of vulnerable groups, through the production of knowledge generated by scientific communities and other non-scientific actors in the region.

For its part, the other project “Central American Open CTI Policy and Mechanisms for Measuring Its Impact on Society” current 2 project, led by the Senate of Panama and the Knowledge City Foundation, will receive $1.5 million to be implemented in three. Years, seeking cooperation between the participating countries, to exchange capabilities, experiences, good practices, researchers and research results, among other things.

This idea aims to enhance the resources available to countries and focus on the results of CTransparency International in addressing social challenges to mitigate inclusion gaps.

The meeting discussed various topics such as the strategic vision of the project, the promotion of comprehensive science and innovation systems in Latin America through a collaborative research network, which was presented by Mr. Carlos Aguirre, General Coordinator of the CSUCA-IDRC Project, and the Strategic Center. The vision of the project “Central American Policy for Open CTI and Mechanisms for Measuring Its Impact on Society” project, presented by Mr. Carlos Mayor Salinas, Advisor to the National Secretary and Project Technical Director on behalf of Senacyt.

In turn, a workshop on inclusive innovation and gender was held; Women and other vulnerable groups’ access to scientific research, collaboration and exchange in SICA Member States, by Ms. Lucia Mesa, Gender Adviser at the Research Center for International Development.

This event included the participation of Dr. Eduardo Ortega Parrilla, National Secretary for Science, Technology and Innovation of Panama; Kim Urso, Canadian Ambassador to Panama, from the south. Eduardo Flores, President of CSUCA and Dean of the University of Panama (UP). In addition to the secretaries, ministers, and CTI representatives from the eight SICA member countries, such as Panama, Belize, Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, and the Dominican Republic.

Dr. Eduardo Ortega Parrilla stated: Open Science seeks to promote open and accessible knowledge that promotes scientific collaboration and information exchange For the benefit of science and society, to achieve regional cooperation and cooperation for our countries.

He also emphasized that these principles make it possible to build a more democratic society, where scientific and technological progress is at the service of all, not just a few. Inclusion and equity are central pillars of open science and innovation, and we must ensure that no one is left behind on this path to progress.

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