Academy of Medical Physical Academy of Medical Physical and Natural Sciences of and Natural Sciences of

Guatemala Guatemala Brasilia, BrazilBrasilia, Brazil

July 22, 23 & 24 of 2010 July 22, 23 & 24 of 2010 María del Carmen SamayoaMaría del Carmen Samayoa

““Inventing a Better Inventing a Better Future: A Strategy for Future: A Strategy for

Building Regional Building Regional Capacities in Science Capacities in Science

and Technology and Technology Workshop”Workshop”

HISTORY HISTORY In Guatemala the role of the National Academy of In Guatemala the role of the National Academy of

Science has been fundamental, ever since the Science has been fundamental, ever since the beginning it was the Academy the one who beginning it was the Academy the one who promoted the creation of the national council of promoted the creation of the national council of science and technology (CONCYT), having the science and technology (CONCYT), having the funds come in directly from the government, funds come in directly from the government, this entity isthis entity is the one in charge of promoting the the one in charge of promoting the scientific, technological and innovation scientific, technological and innovation development in the society.development in the society.

Decree law 63-91 Decree law 63-91

Political chart of the National Political chart of the National Science Council Science Council

PresidentScience Academy

Head Principal of the State University

Minister ofEconomy

Universities Representatives:

Private University's Representative

Chambers of:Enterprice,

Industry,Agricultural

Guatemala’sVice President

CONCYTApprove National PolicyCoordinate the execution

of the National plan

Representatives of the National Science Council (Consultive

Commision)

SENACYT

Working Commisions

Success cases in the America’s where science Success cases in the America’s where science academies and national reseach councils had academies and national reseach councils had

a central role in the elaboration of S&Ta central role in the elaboration of S&T

The Academy promoted The Academy promoted regulations and contributed in regulations and contributed in the promulgation of two Laws:the promulgation of two Laws:

Promotion of Scientific Promotion of Scientific DevelopmentDevelopment

Creation of the National Fund Creation of the National Fund for S & T. for S & T.

Two examples of National Two examples of National Plan of S, T & IPlan of S, T & I

We have a National Plan to be covered We have a National Plan to be covered between 2005 and 2014 that includes for between 2005 and 2014 that includes for example(a political of state)example(a political of state)

Support the development of the quality, Support the development of the quality, productivity and competitiveness productivity and competitiveness (research, scientific publications, (research, scientific publications, development of services and products)development of services and products)

Scientific and technological contributions Scientific and technological contributions for attending primary necessities of the for attending primary necessities of the society (different levels of education)society (different levels of education)

Problems in the execution Problems in the execution of the National Plan of S,T of the National Plan of S,T

and Iand I Even though we have a plan and programs Even though we have a plan and programs

we still need to make drastic changes for we still need to make drastic changes for making it a reality. making it a reality.

For example the budget is not enough with For example the budget is not enough with each different government there has been a each different government there has been a budget cut.budget cut.

There is a lack of commitments in the There is a lack of commitments in the follow thru of each branch of action. The follow thru of each branch of action. The last proposal is to have twice a year a last proposal is to have twice a year a public convocation for the lines of action public convocation for the lines of action proposed in the national plan.proposed in the national plan.******

GRACIAS GRACIAS