By Andrea Hargraves 
Science receives little attention from private social investment in Brazil; that itIn an interview with Third Sector Observatory, USP professor Guilherme Arie Blonsky explains why philanthropy must shine a spotlight on this issue.
From the editor
Science and philanthropy go hand in hand in the pursuit of social progress. While philanthropy provides resources for scientific studies, science provides proven solutions to the most diverse problems society faces. But in Brazil, dialogue between the two communities is still insufficient.
According to the GIFE 2023 census, science was one of the fields that received the least amount of private social investment in 2022. In an interview with the Third Sector Observatory, Professor Guilherme Arie Blonsky, Director of the Institute for Advanced Study at the University of the South Pacific, explains that due to high levels of inequality Socially, Brazilian charitable entities devote more resources to pressing issues, such as education and health, while leaving science aside.
“We need, without harming other issues, to show that this is an equally important issue, that the development process in Brazil goes through science, and therefore, by supporting research in the field of science, you also indirectly support the reduction of social, economic and environmental gaps.” , says the professor.
To reach the ideal scenario, where science receives as much investment as other social issues, the professor believes it is necessary to put both communities in conversation, highlight the work of scientific institutions and, above all, ensure that there is investment outside the scope of public authorities. .
“In Brazil, support for science is provided by the public sector: foundations, federal and state governments. But as we saw especially in the previous federal administration, sometimes people step on the oxygen tube. We need alternative sources of resources, not relying only on the government.” Science is important for everyone, so it is something that the whole society should contribute to,” explains Ari Blonsky.
First International Symposium “Science Meets Philanthropy.”
To promote dialogue between the scientific and philanthropic communities, both in Brazil and internationally, and José Luiz Egidio Setubal Foundation (FJLES) and the University of São Paulo will hold, on April 16, the conference First International Symposium “Science Meets Philanthropy”. The event will include representatives of universities, research institutions, charitable bodies, government authorities and researchers involved in this issue.
The symposium aims to encourage cooperation between the scientific and philanthropic communities in Brazil; Establishing direct communication channels with leading international organizations in the field of scientific philanthropy; to publish Gemma Charitable ProjectIn an effort to expand the network of collaborators and supporters.
Investing in science is aligned with the 17 Sustainable Development Goals of the United Nations 2030 Agenda.