The First Intercontinental Congress of Science and Technology oriented to the fulfillment of the sustainable development goals and the “First Annual Meeting on Science Literacy 2021: A prerequisite for stimulating climate change engagement” was successfully held from November 25 to 27, 2021. The forum was hosted by Universidad Privada del Valle (UNIVALLE) in Bolivia and the Andean Road Countries for Science and Technology (ARCST), with the collaboration of Youth Promoting Global Sustainable development Network (YPGlobalSDN), Chaoxuan Intelligent Technology Research Institute, Cervantes Institute, and UNESCO Media and Information Literacy (MIL) and the Journal of Latin American Sciences and Culture (JLASC) and Elektro High Tech Co. Ltd.
Group photo of the participants of the of the First Annual Meeting on Science Literacy 2021: : A prerequisite for stimulating climate change engagement”
The event was simultaneously interpreted in three languages (Spanish, English, and Chinese). The presentations were also translated into those three languages. In the opening ceremony, Prof. Marco A. Cabero Z., President of ARCST. Prof. Jorge Ruiz de La Quintana, Research Director at UNIVALLE. Prof. Gonzalo Ruiz Ostria, President of UNIVALLE, gave the keynote speech, highlighting the importance of science literacy and collaboration for the development of Science and Technology in Latin American and particularly in Bolivia.
Prof. Chuanhong Zhang, Director of Center for International Development Research Network (CIDRN) of the China Agriculture University. Prof. Maria J. Gonzales R., Head of Promotion of the Comprehensive Development of Forests and Land of the Authority for the Supervision and Social Control of Forests and Land for the Bolivian Government. Prof. Sylvain Eimer, Engineer and researcher for over twenty years in Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS) France and Beihang University. Prof. Li Li of the College of International Development and Global Agriculture (CIDGA), China Agricultural University (CAU). Prof. Yang Liu Chief Engineer and Associate Research Fellow of Ningxia Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) Service Center. Prof. Longliang Jiang, Senior engineer, founder, and chairman of Chaoxuan Group. Prof. Rafaela M. Molina Vargas, Bolivian Coordinator of the Southern Cone Conservation Chapter of the Society for Conservation Biology (SCB). Prof. Yuxi Yi, a researcher at Sciences Po de Paris in political science and government and international relations. Prof. Shao Xiaoting, Deputy Director of Expert committee of Chaoxuan Intelligent Research Institute. Prof. Yanyan Zhao, Vice president of Beijing Chaoxuan Intelligent Technology Research Institute. Prof. Chao Wu, Founder of Youth Promoting Global Sustainable Development Network (YPGlobalSDN). Prof. Liu Zhao, Founder Beijing Yuelv Architectural Design Co., Ltd. Prof. Tan Yiyong, Deputy Secretary-General of Garbage Treatment Working Committee of China Forestry and Environment Promotion Association. Prof. Wu Qiuling, Founder of Upbeing, delivered outstanding speeches to popularize science, exchange knowledge, diffuse information and let more people understand climate change and its effects in Latin America and particularly in Bolivia.
The “First Annual Meeting on Science Literacy 2021: A prerequisite for stimulating climate change engagement” provided a valuable opportunity for over 50 academicians, scientists, practitioners, and industries to exchange ideas and insights about the 4 thematic areas related to the Sustainable Development Goals fulfillment. Constructive discussions resulted in the general agreement that Science Literacy requires the support of different stakeholders. Panelists agreed that scientific literacy involves multidisciplinary areas in the fields of science, technology, and even social sciences. That is why there is a need to engage stakeholders in change action to build a community with a shared future and common prosperity for mankind.
At the closing ceremony, Prof. Jorge Ruiz de La Quintana from UNIVALLE University announced the “Bolivia Declaration on Science and Climate Literacy” on behalf of the organizers. The Declaration outlines how science literacy can be used to achieve educational targets for climate change action and lifelong learning in the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) that will be used to coordinate international development for the next 15 years. The Bolivia Declaration is the first Latin American Declaration on Science Literacy. The text, approved by all the signatories shown in the following link https://journalasc.org/annual_meeting/. The declaration highlights the different ways in which science literacy can support the global agenda for climate change action and the fulfillment of sustainable development goals. The Declaration explicitly encourages harmonious and cooperative relations between all the different stakeholders. Among the key points, the declaration recommends to:
Work together to narrow the gap in science literacy and involve different stakeholders.
Promote positive interactions between society and science and technology in their broadest sense.
Improving science literacy is fundamental for the future of both individuals and nations as well as the wisdom and capabilities of human beings in coping with a variety of risks and challenges for building a better and healthy world.
Protect and stimulate the enthusiasm of younger generations in science, to help the poorest in society to narrow the gap in science literacy to bring them hope and opportunities to end poverty, and to enable women to fully enjoy the dignity brought about by the improvement of science literacy.
Build a mechanism for collaboration and exchanges. Science and technology organizations shoulder fundamental responsibilities for the promotion of public science literacy.
Promote a series of workshops "Awareness Workshop on Climate Change" for the application of good green practices that seek the sustainability of cities.
Push forward the inclusion of Environmental Education for the fulfillment of the Sustainable Development Goals in all the curricula of the University programs of the world.
The “First Annual Meeting on Science Literacy 2021: A prerequisite for stimulating climate change engagement” was a comprehensive and high-level exchange for facilitating the improvement of public science literacy to better address challenges related to science, technology, and social development. We look forward to seeing you at the Second Annual Meeting on Science Literacy in 2022.
On behalf of the Organizers and collaborators
The Andean Road Countries for Science and Technology (ARCST)