The 4th edition of the Foro Abierto de Ciencias de América Latina y el Caribe (CILAC), held in San Andrés, Colombia, from 2 to 4 December 2024, served as a platform to address a critical issue: the freedom and safety of scientists in the region. This was achieved by promoting the regional implementation of the Call to Action on the Freedom and Safety of Scientists and fostering collaboration among stakeholders.
Our goal is to translate countries' commitment into concrete activities and changes. One possible path is the creation of a regional technical group, drawing inspiration from the work led by UNESCO within the framework of the Recommendation on the Ethics of Artificial Intelligence.
A "High-Level Discussion on the Promotion of Scientific Freedom and Safety of Scientists" was organized by UNESCO, featuring video messages from Gabriela Ramos, ADG/SHS, and Aisén Etcheverry Escudero, Minister of Science, Technology, Knowledge, and Innovation (Chile) and bringing together six distinguished representatives from across the region:
Benjamin µþ²¹°ùá²Ô, Minister President, National Council of Science and Technology (CONACYT), Paraguay.
Ana LucÃa Caicedo Laurido, Vice Minister of Knowledge, Innovation and Productivity, Minciencias, Colombia.
Violeta Vázquez Rojas, Undersecretary of Science and Humanities, Government of Mexico.
Paula González FrÃas, Head of the Public Policy Division, Chile.
Tiago Emmanuel Nunes Braga, Director, Brazilian Institute of Information in Science and Technology (IBICT), Brazil.
Marcelo Magnasco, President, Latin American Federation of Scientific Workers (FEDLatCI), Argentina.
As states that believe in democracy and the value of science, we have to take action. We have to revalue scientific knowledge as a decision-making tool, and we have to protect those who work in this field so that they can continue creating knowledge, mobilizing it and helping us build an evidence-based world.
Challenges and Recommendations
The discussion highlighted that scientists face significant challenges, including administrative burdens limiting research time, inequities in funding priorities, financial constraints, job precarity, and inadequate responses to workplace harassment. In areas affected by organized crime or conflict, researchers face physical threats and restrictions, particularly those working in sensitive fields. Misinformation and disinformation further erode public trust in science, complicating efforts to effectively communicate research findings. The panellists noted that addressing these issues requires actions such as ensuring stable employment, diversifying funding, strengthening ethical and institutional frameworks, improving science communication, enhancing safety protocols, and supporting open science initiatives. Regional collaboration and networks that promote scientific freedom and share best practices were also deemed essential for advancing societal impact and preserving progress.
Four aspects limit scientific freedom in our region: academic barriers, administrative barriers, ideological barriers, and financial barriers.
Building Momentum for the Future
The session concluded with the informal launch of an expert group dedicated to advancing this agenda in Latin America and Caribbean, based on the specific needs and challenges of the region.
CILAC 2024 underscored the urgency of protecting and empowering scientists as essential contributors to societal progress. As the region moves forward, collaboration and shared commitment will be pivotal in upholding the freedom and safety of those driving knowledge and innovation.
