“We have to get the public to understand the importance of this issue”

In a new chapter of Your New DNA, Andrea Obaid spoke with Alvaro Fischer on a long-term science and technology public policy. The president of the CTCI for Development and director of HubTec Chile explained the relevance of this instance.

Along these lines, the importance of the creation of the first National Council of Science, Technology, Knowledge and Innovation for Development. With this a strategy is established that goes beyond cycles of the Governments.

This initiative arises in a way parallel to what is proposed by the Ministry of Science. The intention is to work on a strategy with a view to the future and the development of this topic to insert it in Chile

“Must differentiate it from politics, which is what governments do through the Ministry. Politics is something different from strategy and, in turn, the instruments with which that policy is fed, ”said Fischer.

It should be remembered that until the previous years, from 2014 to 2019, a National Council of Innovation for Development. However, this year it is a new initiative.

“These are important levers for the country position itself in society of knowledge which, in turn, is based on a knowledge economy ”, said the specialist.

“We must try to get citizens to understand the importance of this issue, because we are living in a society that is knowledge-based“He added.

The importance of the Council for the growth of the country

In this sense, Álvaro Fischer stressed that long-term work is required to grow in this aspect and be part of an adequate development. “The country has to rethink in what way we are going to make the effort to give the priority that this issue requires“.

Beyond what can be encouraged and worked from the scientific field and by the National Council of Science, Technology, Knowledge and Innovation for Development, it is required a joint effort.

In this way, with a citizenry that understands and is interested in the issue, there may be a message to the political class that must respond in a better way. “That it demands that you allocate the resources, energy, importance and give it the long-term look that it requires,” said the president of the CTCI president.

Another point to take into account is that OECD countries allocate about 2.5% to Science and its derivatives. Meanwhile, Chile only contributes 0.36% of GDP on these issues.