In Colombia, the “Mission of Wise Men and Women” discussed, and made proposal, about the future of the country, with a lot of science.
At the suggestion of the Colombian Academy of Exact, Physical and Natural Sciences, the Colombian Government convened in 2019 a group of 45 Colombian and international experts with the mission to chart the future of the country in several strategic areas. Twelve members of the Academy of Sciences were among those selected.
From the start, the group received the Spanish name “Misión de Sabios” or “Mission of Wise men and women” as someone translated it. They were invited to define priorities for the country in the next 20 to 30 years in the following fields:
- Convergent technologies and industries 4.0
- Sustainable energy
- Biotechnology, Environment and Bioeconomy
- Social sciences and human development with equity
- Oceans and hidrobiological resources
- Life and health sciences
- Cultural and creative industries
- Basic and Space sciences
Education at the core
During their discussions it became apparent that Education was something that permeated all other fields and therefore became a central issue in the whole endeavor.
The work of the group was officially inaugurated by President Iván Duque in February 2019, and was given until December 2019, to deliver their report. On December 5, Prof. Clemente Forero, general coordinator, presented President Duque with a volume including the main findings of the eight focal groups.
A work in progress
Even though the report was submitted, the experts have continued working in the production of specific volumes for each of the focal groups, in addition to a first volume with an extensive summary of their conclusions and recommendations. The volumes are already available in e-book form. They are written in Spanish but we expect that they will be of interest to many people interested in IYBSSD 2022.
Convinced of the importance of the conclusions and recommendations of the Mission, and considering the large number of proposals included therein, the Academy has established eight working groups with the intention of looking at them critically, and to suggest ideas for implementation of at least some of them in the short term, indicating at the same time some middle and long term options.
Involvement of the Young Academy
It is important to mention that, in this effort, a good number of members of the Academy are involved, as are members of our Young Academy, and experts not necessarily associated with our institution. Over 50 people have been involved in this experiment.
Enrique Forero, President, Colombian Academy of Exact, Physical and Natural Sciences
