“Without science, technology, knowledge and innovation, sustainable development is not possible.” These words from President Gabriel Boric at the Chile-Sweden Academic Forum in Stockholm represent significant support for the efforts of Chilean and Swedish universities to establish institutional collaborations. These spaces for discussion and reflection not only seek to improve scientific indicators, but also contribute with data, evaluations and proposals to public policies, and to the economic and cultural development of both countries.
Sweden is a country that has always shown sympathy for Chile. Tens of thousands of Chileans work, study and develop their lives in this distant northern country. A country where innovation and knowledge are an essential part of the State and society as a whole. With its beautiful university campuses, sophisticated technologies, extraordinary public-private relationship, encouragement of new knowledge companies and a strong commitment to the environment and multilateral relations, Sweden fosters cooperation and development.
Nearly two hundred and fifty researchers from both countries from various areas met in Stockholm: biomedical, engineering, mathematics, social, environmental, cultural and artistic sciences. They discussed topics such as aging and mental health, biodiversity, culture and art, green innovations, social problems and crime, environment and threats to health, food and water security, sustainable mining and energy transformation. From multidisciplinary approaches based on evidence and from the national experiences of each counterpart, they advanced in the search for proposals and solutions to face global threats.
For Chile, this cooperation is significant because it allows access to the northern technological platforms, its logistical capabilities and human resources at the service of student and teacher exchanges, generating experiences that will become strengths for our country.
The participation of the presidential delegation, made up of ministers, parliamentarians from all sectors and relevant actors in the country’s science and technology system, points out how to address transversal strategic initiatives that aim to improve the lives of citizens.
Science can contribute a lot to diplomacy, the integration of peoples and technological capture, which is only possible when we adopt a state attitude. Chilean universities have cooperated, organized and become an attractive interlocutor for researchers from cutting-edge centers. Thus, Chilean science has proven to be up to the challenges and is appreciated by colleagues from other latitudes.
Perseverance and strategic financial support are now needed to give sustainability to the collaboration proposal. Sweden invests more than 3.5% of GDP in science and technology, Chile ten times less, a deficiency that we must overcome. It is also important to incorporate Swedish and Chilean companies into the initiative, promoting the innovation component with greater force. The participation of embassies and funding agencies such as ANID and CORFO can be crucial to transform academic exchange into public policies and economic development through science-based innovation processes.
