Presidency commitment to science helping combat poverty highlighted
The Spanish Minister of Science and Innovation, Cristina Garmendia recently highlighted the priority of the Spanish Presidency of the European Union to forge a new way of dealing with one of the greatest challenges for European science and innovation policies - the contribution they can make to the agenda in the battle against poverty and inequality. Speaking just after a recent event on the topic, Garmendia said that research and technology have 'immense potential' in promoting human development, such as helping to reduce infant mortality, boosting the effectiveness of agricultural research in the fight against hunger, and guaranteeing electricity supplies in disadvantaged areas through renewable energy systems. The conclusions of the conference will be presented in May to the Council of European Ministers of Competitiveness in Brussels, where the adoption of a common position on the role of the European Research Area (ERA), in social issues and the fight against poverty is expected. This would fulfil one of the commitments set by the Ministry of Science and Innovation at the beginning of the Spanish Presidency. Among the conclusions is a call for changing the model of helping less-developed countries, and to look at how they can benefit from knowledge transfer and technology. For example, more than 80% of the papers published in high-impact international journals and more than 90% of the patents registered in the United States Patent and Trademark Office come from developed countries. 'If our society is involved in the struggle against poverty and inequality, it is natural that science will also take part,' said the Spanish State Secretary for Research, Felipe Petriz. 'In the same way that during the last decades ethical criteria has been included in the culture of science and technology, we should now develop a culture of responsibility for these activities.' Garmendia also announced that the Ministry of Science and Innovation and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation, through the Spanish Agency for International Development Cooperation (AECID), will this year identify pilot initiatives and projects to help in the fight against poverty and social exclusion through science, technology and innovation. This initiative will also be included in the future Spanish National Plan for Research, Development and Innovation.
Countries
Spain