In accordance with the priorities set by the 34th General Conference of UNESCO Member States, the Basic Sciences Programme of the Regional Office for Science for Latin America and the Caribbean has set itself as main objective for biennium 2008-09 to promote the strengthening of national capacities in research, training and education, in the fields of physics, chemistry and the life sciences; as well as the instauration of a culture of science education and science at the service of peace in the Latin American countries.

Strategically, the shared usage of scientific knowledge and advanced research facilities will be fostered in the main areas of science to support their application to the society and stimulate scientific careers, bearing in mind the equity and equality of men and women.

Among the specific priorities, the need for action at the regional level in terms of energy matters has been identified also. During the biennium, work will be undertaken for enhancing scientific knowledge and available capacity on the subject by means of policy advise, experts meeting and decision-taking responsible managers as well the identification of centres of excellence for the strengthening of capacities and the execution of pilot projects on the sustainable use of renewable sources of energy.
 
Follows data and information on Basic Sciences activities recently supported by the UNESCO Science Regional Office for Latin America and the Caribbean:

II Simposium on Biotechnology Popularization
(Ouro Preto, Brazil, 21 September 2007) - FOTO (“OURO PRETO 2007-09-21 Congresso Anbio2217”)

The goal was to promoting a reduction of  the existent gap between science and society, a key issue for disseminating progress and enabling society to take the right decisions. During the Symposium, the importance of promoting biotechnology good practices in science training and popularisation activities that be in accordance to national priorities and standards, was tackled. This should be done with view to promote public knowledge on new technologies, attracting new R&D resources in biotechnology, fostering public a private investment, thus stimulating the countries economic and social development.

For more information please refer to  www.anbio.org.br

VI International Conference on Biological Physics and V Congress on Biophysics in the Southern Cone (Montevideo, Uruguay, 27-31 August 2007)

High level international experts gathered during the Conference and Congress, including the 2002 Nobel Prize in Chemistry 2002, where strategic subjects were discussed on the development of health and biotechnology at the global and sub-regional levels.

For more information please refer to http://www.icbp2007.org.uy/

Capacity Building Workshop on Planetary Science  (COSPAR) (Montevideo, Uruguay, 23 July - 3 August 2007)

The subject presented by experts in planetary science in Brazil, the United States, the Netherlands, Japan and Uruguay included the origin and evolution of the solar system, the presentation of Planetary Data System, general aspects of comets and asteroids, and specific analysis on some planets, among others.

For further information: Capacity Building Workshop on Planetary Science

For more information please refer to
 http://www.astronomia.edu.uy/cospar2007/announcement.html

International Seminar: Social transformations and university challenges in Latin America and the Caribbean – Implications for Higher Education in Argentina   (Buenos Aires, Argentina, 12-13 July 2007)

The relevance of Higher Education and its social impact, political challenges, social demands, the academic offer, the quality of higher education and the solidarity internationalisation of some of these subjects were discussed during the Seminar.

Programme of the event for information (pdf document)

School of Museology – 2007 Course (Montevideo, Uruguay, 18-22 June 2007)

Subjects tackled during the event focused on the design of prototyps, S&T museums and S&T popularisation experience. Participants were international experts from Argentina, Brazil, Colombia and Uruguay.

For more information please refer to:   http://cienciaviva.fcien.edu.uy/docs/escmuseo/escmuseo.htm