Catalyzing sustainable development: insights from the international workshop on STI policies and innovation systems in Central America
This article examines the landscape of Science, Technology, and Innovation policies in Central America, focusing on Nicaragua, Guatemala, Honduras, and El Salvador. These nations face significant challenges in leveraging STI for sustainable development, including financial constraints and limited resources. Additionally, Central America struggles with systemic issues such as corruption, violence, and high levels of emigration, further complicating efforts to advance STI. A workshop organized by Georgetown University's Science Technology and International Affairs program brought together scholars to discuss STI policies, resulting in key recommendations. The article highlights critical challenges, including over-reliance on state funding, stagnant researcher numbers, and the pressing need for research diversification. It emphasizes the importance of youth engagement, leadership, and resilience in shaping effective STI policies. Recommendations include investing in science education, establishing governmental scientific advisory bodies, promoting research diversity, and addressing climate change through STI strategies. The findings provide valuable insights for scholars, policymakers, and international organizations working with less developed nations globally.
Authors
- Jorge A. Huete‐Pérez (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5259-8428)
- Serena Cosgrove (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3809-8483)
- John Boright
- Hélder R. O. Rocha (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6215-664X)
- Luz M. Cumba García (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2200-0362)
- Omar Isaac Asensio (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2143-5022)
- María Luisa Acosta
- Alma Cristal Hernández‐Mondragón (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1456-6801)
- Emilio Hernández⋆ (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1011-3637)
- Bernard Amadei (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5401-5222)
- José Miguel Natera (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9826-2604)
- Douglas S. Massey (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0109-522X)
- Alessandro Santiago dos Santos (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0037-980X)
- María López-Selva
- Juan L. Manfredi
- Fanor Mondragón
- Oscar C. Picardo Joao
- Nadia De León Sautú
Institutions
- Georgia Institute of Technology (US)
- American Association For The Advancement of Science (US)
- National Academy of Sciences (US)
- University of Wisconsin–Madison (US)
- Walsh University (US)
- Georgetown University (US)
- University of Colorado Boulder (US)
- Princeton University (US)
- Universidad Rafael Landívar (GT)
- Universidad de Antioquia (CO)
- Zero to Three (US)
- Harvard Global Health Institute (US)
- Seattle University (US)
- Centro de Investigación y de Estudios Avanzados del Instituto Politécnico Nacional (MX)
- Francisco Gavidia University (SV)
- Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (MX)
Publication Details
- Journal
- Frontiers in Research Metrics and Analytics
- Published
- 2024-12-11
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.3389/frma.2024.1511393
- Citations
- 2
- Primary Topic
- Innovation and Socioeconomic Development
- Type
- article
- Field-Weighted Citation Impact
- 1.35
Funders
- Georgetown University