ROLAC Annual Report 2007

Established as part of the new ICSU strategy for reinforcing its activities in developing countries, the ICSU Regional Offices are aimed at promoting the development of science in the context of regional priorities, and to support the work of ICSU and its Scientific Unions, National Members in the Region, Interdisciplinary Bodies as well as its partners such as UNESCO and the Academy of Sciences for the Developing World (TWAS). It gives us, therefore, great satisfaction to introduce the present document that clearly shows the achievements of the Regional Office for Latin America and the Caribbean and the important strides made towards those objectives in its first year of activity. The Regional Committee for Latin American and the Caribbean was appointed by ICSU to provide scientific guidance to the actions developed by the office. The Committee has gathered since the end of 2006, and has established a collaborative and friendly working relationship with the Regional Office, leading to the implementation of jointly discussed decisions. During this first year, two activities must be highlighted. The first is related to the inauguration ceremony and the preceding International Symposium held at the Brazilian Academy of Sciences in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The ICSU Regional Office for Latin America and the Caribbean was formally inaugurated on 18th April in the presence of H.E. Sérgio Rezende, the Minister for Science and Technology of Brazil; in a ceremony attended by ICSU authorities and distinguished guests from Brazil, Latin America and the Caribbean. “The International Symposium Priorities in Science and Technology for Latin America and the Caribbean: planning future action”, brought together distinguished regional specialist to present the four priority areas selected by the Regional Committee for the development of regional scientific collaboration programs: Mathematics Education, Biodiversity, Sustainable Energy and Natural Disasters and gave the first guidelines for the work of the Office. The second central activity in 2007 is related to the appointment and start of activities of the Scientific Planning Groups (SPGs), responsible for the development of the four Science Plans in the defined priority areas. By the end of 2007, all Scientific Planning Groups had been appointed and two first meetings were held. This was an auspicious start for an effort we hope will influence the development of science in the region in the years to come. During its first year, the Regional Office engaged in strengthening relations with the large and complex ICSU family, and in extending its contacts with several international organizations to explore future collaboration possibilities. We are certain that the activities in 2007 give a sound basis for the work of the Regional Office in the forthcoming years.