OWSD's Premiere Regional Summit of Latin American National Chapters in Santiago, Chile

July 02, 2024

In April 2024, OWSD partner, the International Science Council (ISC), extended a special invitation to a delegation from the Organization for Women in Science for the Developing World (OWSD) to participate in the Global Knowledge Dialogue (GKD) for Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC). The delegation, comprising representatives from eight  OWSD LAC  National Chapters and an OWSD Early Career Fellow from the LAC region, embarked on a transformative journey at the GKD held in Santiago, Chile, and worked together for a week to consolidate the presence of OWSD in the region, by participating in the GKD and also convening a regional meeting of OWSD National Chapters.

The Global Knowledge Dialogue (GKD) is a series of events the ISC is holding through the various regions of the world, which started in Africa at the World Science Forum in 2022 and continued in 2023 globally at the Mid-term meeting of ISC Members in May in Paris, and regionally in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia at the GKD Asia-Pacific. Throughout these events, OWSD has been actively involved, with its regional delegations participating in all these previous meetings

The GKD for Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC) was hosted on 9-11 April 2024 by the ISC Regional Focal Point for Latin America and the Caribbean and its Liaison Committee, the Colombian Academy of Exact, Physical and Natural Sciences, the Chilean Academy of Sciences, and the International Science Council, and will consist of three blocks including

1. The ISC in a Member context: A discussion between the ISC leadership, ISC Fellows, and Members on the strategic and organizational objectives of the ISC for the next five years.
2. Science in the Global context: Promoting diversity in science and science systems.
3. The ISC in a regional context: A dialogue on developing a workstream for the ISC Regional Focal Point for Latin America and the Caribbean in the coming years, as well as a discussion on the future of funding science for sustainability in the region.

The journey of the OWSD LAC   Delegation in Santiago began with an OWSD introductory meeting, setting the stage for meaningful connections and shared objectives. This moment was very important for establishing a profound sense of community among women scientists across Latin America and the Caribbean. It also sparked discussions for establishing new OWSD National Chapters in Costa Rica, Panama, and Cuba, signaling a growing commitment to advancing gender equality in science throughout the region.

OWSD made its mark at the GKD with impactful interventions and strategic placements. OWSD's Vice President for the LAC Region, Kleinsy Bonilla, took center stage, delivering a compelling speech that underscored the organization's commitment to empowering women in science. Additionally, the screening of OWSD Visions films during the event garnered enthusiastic reception, amplifying OWSD's visibility and relevance within the scientific community.

Throughout the dialogue, the OWSD delegation actively contributed to discussions on scientific diplomacy, autonomy in science, and promoting solutions to key issues in the region. These engagements weren't just about participation; they were about fostering collaboration and forging connections that could lead to future research endeavors.

The journey culminated in the OWSD Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC) Regional Meeting, hosted in collaboration with the OWSD Chile National Chapter. This hybrid event brought together leaders and members of OWSD National Chapters to discuss strategic priorities, share best practices, and lay the groundwork for future collaborations. Highlights included presentations from each National Chapter, sharing insights, challenges, and success stories, and discussions on administrative procedures and membership approval processes.

The regional meeting concluded with several key agreements and follow-up actions. These included creating a permanent communication channel to foster interactions and collaborations among OWSD LAC National Chapters and Executive Committees, aiming to establish three more National Chapters in LAC by the end of 2024, and promoting the candidacy of a LAC country and National Chapter to host the OWSD General Assembly in 2025. Additionally, participants committed to sharing experiences and best practices on topics such as leadership transitions, grant applications, intersectionality and gender in science, and engaging women in scientific diasporas in the LAC region.

"Traditionally, LAC countries have advanced their science and technology policies in isolation, which is troublesome," said Kleinsy Bonilla, OWSD Vice President for the Latin America and Caribbean region. "Despite shared language, culture, and history, further cooperation is needed. The OWSD LAC family exemplifies this by fostering collaborations among members from different national chapters. The increasing collaboration within OWSD LAC is motivating."

For more detailed information, please refer to the one-pager available for download at the bottom of this article.

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