Ignacio Arruda: Every Brazilian Can Do Science | Opinion

After a cloudy period, where science in Brazil was discredited by denialists, listening to society is the first step we can take towards democratizing science and its dissemination. the scientific activity in the country.

It started with the preparatory meetings leading up to the 5th National Science, Technology and Innovation Conference. More than 200 regional, state, municipal, thematic and free meetings were held from December 2023 to May 2024. A diverse and multi-faceted environment was created to discuss and put forward proposals and solutions for the future of science in the country. It is reconstruction Collective and democratic For the process of planning innovative public policies.

There were more than 70 thousand people. time and sound In these meetings, with recommendations that will now be evaluated in the final phase – which will be from July 30 to August 1, at Espaço Brasil 21, in Brasilia (DF).

Fourteen years after the last conference, it has been fascinating to observe the diverse and pluralistic mobilization environment that brings together academia, the public and private sectors, civil society and social movements to discuss science and technology in Brazil. From the New Fifth National Congress National Strategy Science, Technology and Innovation (ENCTI), which will determine the direction of the sector for the next ten years.

Our work is to bring science closer to people and use it to address challenges such as hunger, biodiversity conservation, climate change, energy transition, digital transformation and support New ManufacturingWe need to transform scientific production into products, processes and services that meet the desires and needs of society. That's why listening to them is so important.

Science in everything! Its popularization is the state program. Science is in the academy, in the ancestors of indigenous peoples, in the quilombola tradition, in schools, in the suburbs. This is ours. Great challenge:Show that any Brazilian is capable of doing science.

Working to develop effective policies for the dissemination of science Lula's government The Secretariat of Science and Technology for Social Development, which I am proud to lead, has resumed in the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation (MCTI).

The development we seek needs something new. sustainable foundations And innovative.

Strategic achievements were necessary to restore the country's science promotion system, such as: interest rate reduction In financing innovation in companies and the complete restoration of the National Fund for Scientific and Technological Development, a political decision of President Lula.

We have done our part in public policies and Investments So that Brazil can regain its position in a challenging future.