Continue to build on what has been built to strengthen the scientific, technological and innovative capabilities of the country, strengthening the relationship between the public and private sectors through common goals and prioritizing Colombia that can draw on scientific evidence from the generation of new knowledge. These and others are some of the considerations raised by experts from the country’s scientific community to search for alternatives that allow science to be placed in the decision-making process of the national government.
These conclusions were presented in the panel “Bioeconomics, Biodiversity, and Pharmaceutical Sovereignty: The Challenge of Harmonization,” which was part of the GAT International Conference on the generation of therapeutic alternatives to cancer from plants, which took place at the Pontificia Universidad Javeriana last week (20 to 22 June 2023).
In this space, the relevant actors of the country’s science and innovation ecosystem participated, under the direction of Edwin Ramirez, Deputy Director of Science, Technology and Innovation of the Department of National Planning (DNP).
Challenges of the development of science
During the session, the guests discussed the country’s needs to promote the development of science. In the conversation, Esteban Pompeo, Director of Technical Development and Operations at TargImmune Therapeutics, highlighted the importance of creating and financing startups or startup companies With the support of the state, as well as the promotion of an ecosystem that values science-based developments.
Along these lines, Luis Alberto Gomez, deputy scientific director of the National Institute of Health, emphasized the need for Enhancing partnerships between the public and private sectors And setting common goals between the government, the university and the company, in addition to creating a regulatory framework that allows for cooperation and provides incentives for the various actors to participate and collaborate.
boss #IDCBIS @health sectorAnd @employeeparticipating in the panel discussion: Bioeconomics, Biodiversity and Pharmaceutical Sovereignty: “The Challenge of Expression”, at the International GAT Conference taking place in @employee pic.twitter.com/TrHFmD9w3e
—IDCBIS (IDCBIS) June 21, 2023
For his part, Bernardo Camacho, Director of the Provincial Institute of Science, Technology and Bioinnovation, spoke of the flexibility required to do science in Colombia and the need for an appropriate management of resources in order to efficiently direct priorities. For the country and make better use of the resources allocated to the development of the scientific enterprise in the country.
Faced with these priorities, Felipe Cardona, Director of the Center for Economics and Financing of Biodiversity at the Alexander von Humboldt Institute for Bioresources Research, emphasized the importance of small actions and how they should be framed within ambitious goals to manage agreements between different actors. redound in favor of science and country.
Finally, María Alejandra Tejada, Science Director of the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation, pointed out that the system of science, technology and innovation in Colombia has evolved in recent years and that it is necessary to develop science governance to take advantage of existing features. Capacity. And continue to grow.
“Science and technology should be a cross-cutting issue across all ministries,” @matg20Science Director @employeein the Bioeconomics, Biodiversity, and Pharmaceutical Sovereignty Panel: “The Challenge of Expression” for the Second International Conference @employee @employee pic.twitter.com/3D2lMH2yt0
—IDCBIS (IDCBIS) June 21, 2023
The guests agreed that in order to make communication between businesses, universities and the country possible, it is essential to build a foundation of trust, to define and meet clear goals, to identify and support leaders, and to understand that a country’s biodiversity must generate value.
On the relationship between academia and politics
In the second part of the symposium, ways in which academics and science can establish a relationship with politics are discussed. The influence of the Academy on public policy and its importance as a source supported by scientific evidence is highlighted, especially in decisions made in Congress. The importance of using resources efficiently and developing policies based on scientific research in all areas of the public domain was stressed.
In addition, they mentioned Challenges of communication between science and politics and the importance of pedagogy for effective interaction with politicians and citizens. Emphasis was placed on the importance of working in politics and the need to set long-term priorities to achieve tangible results for the benefit of communities.
The interrelationship between policy, science, technology and innovation is fundamental And the GATT conference is a testament to that. Everywhere in the space of this academic event, and in the committee itself, an exercise was conducted to recognize the importance of the relationship between the university, the company, and the state, which goes beyond the governmental sphere and has the potential to reach people’s lives. ; This is confirmed by its organizers.
The session ended with a call to continue actively participating in the political field, seeking that decision makers take into account the actions of science and that scientific evidence contributes to national and regional policies in a cross-sectional way, providing solid and proven solutions. Efficiency for Colombia’s needs. Scientists and people devoted to citizen science play an important role in building a different society.
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