RCLAC7

The RCLAC 7 was formally opened by Professor Mahabir Gupta; who chaired the meeting, Dr. Betty Ann de Catsambanis, the Vice Rector for Research and Graduate Studies of the University of Panama; Professor Deliang Chen, Executive Director of ICSU and Professor Alice Abreu, Director of the ICSU Regional Office for Latin America.
The Committee was briefed on the several alternatives being pursued to implement the proposals of the priority areas documents, which were supported by the participants of the Regional Consultation for Latin America and the Caribbean held in March 2009.
The Committee was also updated on the draft Terms of Reference for the forthcoming Review of Regional Office for Latin America and the Caribbean, as well as on the Officers meeting with Chairs of Regional Committees and Directors of Regional Offices that will take place in Budapest, November 2nd, 2009. A progress report on ICSU`s global activities was presented, with emphasis on the Visioning Process; the development of ICSU 2nd Strategic Plan; and Science Education review.
The Committee considered the nominations to RCLAC and defined the list that will be sent to ICSU.
The Committee took note of the Regional Declaration that stemmed of the Second Regional Foro on Science Technology and Innovation in Latin America and the Caribbean, organized by UNESCO, with the strong participation of ICSU-LAC.
Regarding the ICSU Grants approved in 2008, the committee was informed that a final financial and activities report was sent to ICSU as requested.
Finally, the Committee was given a report on the Symposium Women for Science, co-sponsored by the Regional Office. Promoted by the Mexican Academy of Sciences and the Inter American Network of Academies of Sciences (IANAS), with the support of the Inter Academy Panel (IAP) and CONACYT–Mexico, the event was held in Mexico City on April 20th and 21st, 2009, at the Mexican Academy of Sciences.