Science Summit at United Nations General Assembly 77 (UNGA77)

Science diplomacy can be advanced to new levels by utilizing the En-ROADS climate solutions simulator from Climate Interactive and MIT Sloan School of Management. This session will explore the capabilities of this tool to ground dialogue around climate change in science-based scenarios for global action. We'll use En-ROADS to explore the impacts of cross-sector climate solutions—from carbon pricing, to energy efficiency, to innovations in new technologies—and learn about how to do so in a way that achieves success across the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

This interactive session will explore the following questions:

• What barriers exist to international cooperation on health data? How can we address technical, policy, legal, economic, and operational barriers to collaboration. 
• How can we integrate regulatory conversations early in the process when developing international research collaborations on health data?
• How can tools, like synthetic data and other PETs, help enable this?
• How has the conversation evolved during the pandemic?
• Where can AI for health make progress on relevant UN SDGs?
  • Good Health & Well-Being
  • Reduced Inequalities
  • Industry, Innovation & Infrastructure

Following a panel discussion sharing experiences and case studies, participants will bring their own expertise to develop ideas for concrete recommendations, collaborations and next steps. 

This interactive session will explore the following questions:

• What barriers exist to international cooperation on health data? How can we address technical, policy, legal, economic, and operational barriers to collaboration. 
• How can we integrate regulatory conversations early in the process when developing international research collaborations on health data?
• How can tools, like synthetic data and other PETs, help enable this?
• How has the conversation evolved during the pandemic?
• Where can AI for health make progress on relevant UN SDGs?
  • Good Health & Well-Being
  • Reduced Inequalities
  • Industry, Innovation & Infrastructure

Following a panel discussion sharing experiences and case studies, participants will bring their own expertise to develop ideas for concrete recommendations, collaborations and next steps. 

The session will consider how regulations for data protection influence cooperation in medical science and health research and as such affect the achievement of the SDGs.
Regulations in general are vital for diagnostics to ensure good quality standards in health care while data protection regulations aim at giving control to individuals over their personal data while ensuring the free flow of this personal data between member states in the case of Europe by attempting to unify regulations and ultimately to simplify the regulatory environment for international business.
Advances in medical healthcare, to which data subjects who provide their data can avail, can only occur through advances in scientific research and the amalgamation of personal health data. The ability to access masses of health data through global collaboration is paramount to create new diagnostic tools. These tools can help address global health care shorts falls and identify more appropriate treatment for patients.
Europe’s General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) in particular, as with any substantive regulatory reform, has had unintended consequences, most notably regarding joint research enterprises, even within the direct scope of Europe, a relatively homogenous region, due to the significant differences in how people approach to privacy. This is compounded by the extraterritorial scope of this regulation and beyond the European GDPR that there are other regions and countries with other regulations, so it is vital to unify these to the SDG on health.
There is a societal benefit in reusing data for appropriate purposes and subject to appropriate safeguard yet fragmentation continues to exist that prevents research collaboration as there is no overarching jurisdiction to govern international collaborations.
The session will consider these issues and speakers will share their own expertise to develop potential mechanisms and recommendations for collaboration

The session will consider how regulations for data protection influence cooperation in medical science and health research and as such affect the achievement of the SDGs.
Regulations in general are vital for diagnostics to ensure good quality standards in health care while data protection regulations aim at giving control to individuals over their personal data while ensuring the free flow of this personal data between member states in the case of Europe by attempting to unify regulations and ultimately to simplify the regulatory environment for international business.
Advances in medical healthcare, to which data subjects who provide their data can avail, can only occur through advances in scientific research and the amalgamation of personal health data. The ability to access masses of health data through global collaboration is paramount to create new diagnostic tools. These tools can help address global health care shorts falls and identify more appropriate treatment for patients.
Europe’s General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) in particular, as with any substantive regulatory reform, has had unintended consequences, most notably regarding joint research enterprises, even within the direct scope of Europe, a relatively homogenous region, due to the significant differences in how people approach to privacy. This is compounded by the extraterritorial scope of this regulation and beyond the European GDPR that there are other regions and countries with other regulations, so it is vital to unify these to the SDG on health.
There is a societal benefit in reusing data for appropriate purposes and subject to appropriate safeguard yet fragmentation continues to exist that prevents research collaboration as there is no overarching jurisdiction to govern international collaborations.
The session will consider these issues and speakers will share their own expertise to develop potential mechanisms and recommendations for collaboration

The existential threats to global energy, food and water security, increasing evidence of irreversible climate change,  the degradations in social cohesion, disruptions in global supply chains and deglobalisation, social inequality and the COVID19 pandemic, mental health dangers to undermining the basis of our material prosperity seem to be combining. The world urgently needs mission-driven teams of the world’s best minds to tackle these complex challenges, using diverse perspectives and areas of expertise. In an informal, interactive fireside chat, senior leaders from Wellcome and CIFAR will discuss models for convening and deploying top scientists from around the world to collectively address the growing number of profound questions and challenges facing science and humanity.

The existential threats to global energy, food and water security, increasing evidence of irreversible climate change,  the degradations in social cohesion, disruptions in global supply chains and deglobalisation, social inequality and the COVID19 pandemic, mental health dangers to undermining the basis of our material prosperity seem to be combining. The world urgently needs mission-driven teams of the world’s best minds to tackle these complex challenges, using diverse perspectives and areas of expertise. In an informal, interactive fireside chat, senior leaders from Wellcome and CIFAR will discuss models for convening and deploying top scientists from around the world to collectively address the growing number of profound questions and challenges facing science and humanity.

RECORDING: “The Little Island that Could”: Creating a Better Future for Okinawa Through Partnership (Japanese only)

RECORDINGS: Japan-related playlist

***

Over four hundred organizations in Okinawa have partnered to advance the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals in Japan’s southern-most prefecture — and in a region with a vulnerable economy. The Okinawa SDGs Project, sponsored by the Ryukyu Shimpo newspaper, brings together more than 70 organizations, including media, municipalities, universities, large and small businesses, and not-for-profit organizations, to work on SDGs that affect Okinawa and that Okinawans are uniquely prepared to address.

Selected as a United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) World Natural Heritage site, Okinawa’s rich nature and biodiversity is even more notable in that it coexists on a chain of islands with a population of 1.5 million people. Additionally, the sites of Shurijo Castle and the Gusuku Group, built during the Ryukyu Dynasty prior to Japanese rule, are registered as a UNESCO World Heritage site. It is this combination of thriving nature and rich culture that the partnership seeks to apply to the SDGs.

To create a sustainable region where nature and culture are balanced, the partnership brings together science, industry, and the understanding and cooperation of the local community. This presentation will share examples of ways Okinawans are addressing local carbon emissions, improving health, promoting employment and industry development, and improving the marine environment.

Presenters will share these initiatives in an effort to foster dialogue in Asia and the Pacific and to explore solutions to global environmental problems. All of the speakers’ activities are based on partnerships. The discussion will aim to raise awareness and motivation to achieve each of the SDG goals based on partnerships, which is unique to Okinawa, with its culture of “yuimaru” or mutual support.

NOTE: This session will be delivered in Japanese and simultaneous interpretation will be provided in English.
***
「可能性を秘めた小さな島」 ：パートナーシップを通じて創る沖縄のより良い未来

日本の最南端に位置する県であり、経済的脆弱性を抱える沖縄では、国連の「持続可能な開発目標」を推進するため、県内の 400 を超える団体が連携しています。琉球新報社が主催する「OKINAWA SDGs プロジェクト」では、メディア、自治体、大学、大企業、中小企業、非営利団体など 70 以上の団体が集まり、沖縄に影響を与え、沖縄県民が独自に取り組むことができる SDGs の課題に取り組んでいます。

ユネスコ（国連教育科学文化機関）の世界自然遺産に登録されている沖縄の豊かな自然と生物多様性は、人口が150 万人にも上る島々で保たれているという点でより注目に値します。また日本統治以前の琉球王国時代に築かれた首里城とグスク等関連遺産群は、ユネスコの世界遺産に登録されています。県内の関連団体によるパートナーシップは、まさにこのような豊かな自然と文化の融合をSDGs に応用したいと考えています。

自然と文化が調和した持続可能な地域を実現するため、県内のパートナーシップは、科学、産業、地域社会の理解と協力を結集します。本講演では、沖縄県民による地域の二酸化炭素排出量に関する取り組みや、健康増進、雇用創出及び産業促進、海洋環境改善の取り組み事例を紹介します。

講演では、これらの取り組みを共有することで、アジア・太平洋地域の対話を促進し、地球規模の環境問題の解決策を探ることを目指します。 本セッションの講演者の活動は、いずれもパートナーシップを基にしています。 「ゆいまーる」の文化を持つ沖縄ならではのパートナーシップをベースに、 SDGs の各目標を達成するための意識とモチベーションを高めることを目的とした議論を行います。

講演者：
- 西田 睦　琉球大学学長（日本）
- 瀬名波 出　琉球大学工学部工学科エネルギー環境工学コース教授、起業家（日本）
- 花城 良廣　一般財団法人沖縄美ら島財団理事長（日本）
- オリガ・エリセーバ　沖縄科学技術大学大学院（OIST） アクセラレータープログラム・
スタートアップ HerLifeLab 創設者（日本）
- 島 洋子　琉球新報社編集局長 （日本）

お知らせ：このセッションは日本語で行われ、英語での同時通訳が付きます。

Recording: Allies, Advocates, and Partners Communicating Social and Environmental Issues Effectively

Recordings: Japan-related playlist

***

How do we engage and inspire policy makers, the media, and our global population to understand and act on the pressing need for change on complex, pressing social and environmental issues like climate change and social inequality? How do we build trust in facts and data and inspire others to embrace discomfort and redesign our systems, societies (and comfort zones) so we can survive together? How can we tell stories that are more inspiring and engaging than fake news, are authentic, strategic, and create real impact with audiences we need to reach?

Awareness of social and environmental issues among decision-makers and the general public has escalated in recent years. It’s central to an organization’s reputation and many political platforms, pressing issues like ecosystem collapse, climate change, food and energy insecurity and social inequality threaten our collective prosperity, safety, and survival. Now is the time to make the most of opportunities to communicate effectively and engage those who can create change with facts, figures, and real solutions based on science and research. Whoever tells the best story wins—wins the attention, energy and potentially action of key audiences. The science and research community needs to get better at telling stories in order to save the world.

Leadership mentor, teacher, and sustainability expert Betsy Reed will speak on the importance of engaging allies, advocates, and partners in the community. She will be interviewed by Heather Young, vice-president of communications at the Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology (OIST).

There is now doubt that consulting with stakeholders shows good governance, transparency, a commitment to meaningful two-way communications, and a recognition that your stakeholders can contribute to future changed, which directly or indirectly affect them. Why don’t so many people engage in this way? How can this work be done in a meaningful way—and, also, in a practical way?

Using allies, advocates, and partners can help us build reputation and legitimacy, keep us accountable, and ensure we’re not creating risk by greenwashing or purpose-washing. They can also engage stakeholders we would never be able to reach on our own, add perspective that enriches our overall understanding of uses and subsequent communications approach, add capacity, and create more of a buzz by presenting and unusual or unexpected alliance.

This lecture will summarize INGSA most recent strategic plan focusing on our unique approach toward building capacity in effective science advice, including advices on SDGs, at local, regional and national levels with key roles for its chapters in Africa, South East Asia and Latin America. Our aim is now to complete our roaster of chapters by establishing two more, one in Europe and one in North America. The European chapter will likely focus its activities on investigating the roles of cultural aspects and language in ensuring more effective science advice and uptake by the authorities—this is in parallel to the creation of the first international French network in science advice supported by the Quebec government to be launched in Montreal in early November 2022. The North American chapter will aim to increase capacity in ‘practical’ science advice at local, city levels where needs are urgent on various fronts including climate changes, sustainable transportation, affordable housing and public safety to give a few examples linked to a number of SDGs.
One of elected vice-president, Dr SOLEDAD QUIROZ VALENZUELA from Chile will provide additional comments on the impacts of language and culture to ensure more effective uptake of science advice by high level policy makers and elected officials---critical to reach the ambitious SDGs locally as well as at the global level.

This lecture will summarize INGSA most recent strategic plan focusing on our unique approach toward building capacity in effective science advice, including advices on SDGs, at local, regional and national levels with key roles for its chapters in Africa, South East Asia and Latin America. Our aim is now to complete our roaster of chapters by establishing two more, one in Europe and one in North America. The European chapter will likely focus its activities on investigating the roles of cultural aspects and language in ensuring more effective science advice and uptake by the authorities—this is in parallel to the creation of the first international French network in science advice supported by the Quebec government to be launched in Montreal in early November 2022. The North American chapter will aim to increase capacity in ‘practical’ science advice at local, city levels where needs are urgent on various fronts including climate changes, sustainable transportation, affordable housing and public safety to give a few examples linked to a number of SDGs.
One of elected vice-president, Dr SOLEDAD QUIROZ VALENZUELA from Chile will provide additional comments on the impacts of language and culture to ensure more effective uptake of science advice by high level policy makers and elected officials---critical to reach the ambitious SDGs locally as well as at the global level.

RECORDING: Investing in Science, Investing in Humanity

RECORDINGS: Japan-related playlist

***

“No other generation has lived at a time like this, with the amount of dramatic change that is coming. There will be upheaval in every way that makes us human, from anti-aging to CRISPR therapies to quantum computing,” asserted Peter Gruss in an interview with Sustainable Japan by The Japan Times. 
The potential of science, technology, and innovation to meet pressing societal challenges was never so clear as in these last few years.

Within the context of Japan, but also balanced against a global view, Dr. Gruss and The Japan Times reporter Tomoko Otake will discuss the importance of investing in research excellence for the benefit of humanity.

Research is an essential source of human knowledge and technology innovations. Scientific discovery has lengthened life expectancies, fed the world, and taught humanity about our planet and the universe. Sustainable public funding for basic research decades prior is also to thank for the unprecedented speed with which COVID-19 vaccines have been developed. Basic research in general prepares humankind for the challenges of the future. So, if reversing climate change and curing disease are all possible, it is researchers who will uncover the ways.

Many countries are stagnating in global science and technology competitiveness. Underlying problems include underinvestment in research-intensive science and technology; challenges in recruiting and retaining top science and technology talent; insufficient innovation initiatives from universities; sub-optional talent circulation between academic and industry; and administrative inefficiencies. Peter Gruss is a passionate advocate for change in Japan, and this session will discuss ways that countries can restore their competitiveness in science and technology and the global importance of investing in research excellence.

Bringing researchers together and giving them the tools and money they need will be critical to the future of humanity. The job of governments is to catalyze progress with forward-thinking policy and substantial investment, while businesses must foster innovation and meaningful collaboration. Our world faces enormous global challenges. Excellence in basic research and international cooperation coupled with knowledge transfer and technology development provide the best platform for innovative solutions to emerge and benefit humanity.

JOIN ONLINE SESSION


This event will take place at Flanders House New York and participation is possible in person and online. In person participation requires a separate registration, which is accessible by completing the form above.

Introduction: background, policy dimension & rationale of the Session

The African Union (AU) – European Union (EU) Innovation Agenda is a joint ongoing effort aiming to translate research & innovation (R&I) endeavours into tangible businesses, services and jobs in Africa and in Europe. It is a flagship initiative of the EU “Global Gateway Africa – Europe Investment Package” that was announced at the 6th EU-AU Summit in February 2022, providing an outline of actions to be taken in partnership with Africa to “boost smart, clean and secure links in digital, energy and transport and strengthen health, education and research systems”.
For it to deliver the envisaged positive impact on the ground, the work of the AU-EU Innovation Agenda will involve all stakeholders of the innovation landscape, including not only R&I and higher education institutions but also private businesses such as start-ups, micro, small and medium-sized enterprises and large corporations. This Agenda proposes specific objectives with short-, medium- and long-term actions for all four priority areas of the AU-EU cooperation in STI, namely (i) Public Health, (ii) Green Transition, and (iii) Innovation and Technology and (iv) Capacities for Science.

Following a positive reception of the working document of the AU-EU Innovation Agenda at a Senior Official Meeting of the AU-EU High-Level Policy Dialogue (HLPD) on Science, Technology and Innovation (STI) in January 2022, the work of the Innovation Agenda was also acknowledged in the final declaration of the 6th EU-AU Summit: A Joint Vision for 2030.

To ensure that this Agenda will be as pertinent as possible to societal issues, the year 2022 is dedicated to a stakeholder consultation process, which aims to gather feedback and input from citizens and organisations on the working document of this Innovation Agenda.

As part of this continued stakeholder dialogue, the European Commission wishes to propose a dedicated session within the Science Summit that will take place along the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) 77, to be co-organised with the African Union Commission, fostering the participation of several international organisations from the International Development/Cooperation and Financing sector, as per the objectives outlined below.

Objectives of the Session:

• To raise awareness on the AU-EU Innovation Agenda (i.e. policy background, rationale, objectives and foreseen actions) especially among International Development/Cooperation and Financing organisations, which will be expected to provide their viewpoint on the work of the Agenda;
• Accordingly, to benefit from the feedback of International Development/Cooperation and Financing institutions on the objectives and actions foreseen by the working document of the AU-EU Innovation Agenda;
  
• To trigger a durable, forward-looking, result-oriented dialogue with Development/Cooperation and Financing actors, aiming to engage them, on a case-by-case basis, in the work of the AU-EU Innovation Agenda by identifying possible synergies between their existing and prospective programmes and foreseen actions of the Innovation Agenda.

Draft Programme (More speakers will be added as they are confirmed):

1. Welcoming words by Mr John Baekelmans (Technology Counsellor, Flanders House New York & Flanders Investment & Trade) and by the Session Moderator, Dr Florent Bernard (EU Science Counsellor to the USA)

2. Opening address by Ms Maria Cristina Russo (European Commission, DG Research & Innovation)

3. Section 1: The AU-EU Innovation Agenda
by Mr Lukovi Seke (AUDA-NEPAD) & Dr Vincenzo Lorusso (European Commission, DG Research & Innovation)

4. Section 2: Mapping of Projects from the AU-EU R&I Partnership on Food and Nutrition Security and
Sustainable Agriculture (FNSSA), by Dr Vincenzo Lorusso (European Commission, DG Research & Innovation)

5. Section 3: Roundtable with Development Banks, International Cooperation and Financial Institutions. Confirmed contributions by:
- Dr Taffere Tesfachew (UN Technology Bank for Least Developed Countries);
- Ms Brennan Van Dyke (UNEP);
- Dr Ismahane Elouafi (UN FAO);
- Mr Owen Shumba (UNDP)
- Dr Martha Phiri (African Development Bank);
- Mr Bunmi Adekore (Breakthrough Energy);
...And other organisations to be confirmed shortly.

6. Questions & Answers

7. Closing remarks by Ms Maria Cristina Russo (European Commission, DG Research & Innovation)

The colonizer mindset is alive and continuing to ripple through academia, educational institutions, healthcare centers, and communities. Rooted in an empowerment rather than dependency model, the Nuvance Health / University of Vermont Larner College of Medicine Global Health Program with active participation from domestic and international partners has gradually implemented unique features from decision-making to resource allocation, participant education to community engagement, capacity building to brain gain. We aim to shed a truthful light on a tragic past and present while evaluating our program’s components that combat and contribute to the savior complex model.
Learning objectives include an understanding of the colonial mindset in global health; the ways it weaves into global health programs administratively, pedagogically, and in clinical practice; its impact on the well-being of host institutions, patients, and communities; the steps our program has taken toward decolonization, including creation of a Global South-led taskforce and a Global South-Global South empowerment model; and ways the program hopes to grow. Examples of reverse learning and reverse innovations will be discussed.
During this session, a group of global health experts share their insights by citing examples of successes, failures, and challenges in their partnerships with the Global North.

   

The Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA) – A household name in CARICOM
21st September, 2022
10:00am -12:00 pm
 
Abstract
This session will provide participants with an understanding of the Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA), how it came into existence 10 years ago to present, its functions and mandate.
One of the core programmes at CARPHA that impacts citizens the and visitor populations alike is the Regional Tourism and Health programme. Participants will receive an overview of how this programme has evolved and is now one of the pillars of the COVID-19 response in this Tourism-dependent economic space.
CARPHA provided COVID-19 support to its Member States in several ways. This included facilitating an intricate level of coordination while providing guidance to its Member States. The rates of infection and death remained low when compared to other global regions, therefore, a moderated panel will discuss all of the issues, successes and lessons learnt and applied in relation to the COVID-19 pandemic in CARICOM.
The link between Climate change and health is not often made, neither is the relevance easily identified. The presenters will show the linkages, impacts and what is being done in the region to mitigate the impactof climate change on health.
Agenda
10:00 am – 10:15 am Overview of CARPHA
Dr. Joy St. John Executive Director - CARPHA
10:15 am – 10:45 am Regional Tourism and health Programme
Dr. Lisa Indar Director, Surveillance, Disease Prevention and Control - CARPHA
10:45 am – 11:30 am Moderated Panel discussion “CARPHA’s COVID-19 Response”
Moderator:
Ms. Carlon Kirton: Communications Manager - CARPHA
Panelists:
Dr. Joy St. John Executive Director - CARPHA
Dr Lisa Indar Director, Surveillance, Disease Prevention and Control - CARPHA
Dr. Sastee Kissoondan: Technical Officer, Office of the Director- Surveillance, Disease Prevention and Control
11:30 am – 12:00pm Climate Change and Health
Dr. Kim Newton-James: Officer-in-Charge: Technical Officer, Chemicals and Solid Waste Management - Environmental Health and Sustainable Development Department - CARPHA
Dr. Horace Cox: Head, Vector Borne Disease Programme – CARPHA

The Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES) Assessment Report on the Sustainable Use of Wild Species has been carried out over four years by 85 leading experts from the natural and social sciences, as well as 200 contributing authors, drawing on more than 6,200 sources. The results were validated in workshops with holders of indigenous and local knowledge from across the world. The summary of this interesting report was approved last July by representatives of the 139 member states of IPBES in Bonn, Germany.

The report offers insights, analysis and tools to establish more sustainable use of wild species of plants, animals, fungi and algae around the world. Among its results, it shows that billions of people, in developed and developing nations, benefit daily from the use of wild species for food, energy, materials, medicine, recreation, inspiration and many other vital contributions to human well-being. The accelerating global biodiversity crisis, with a million species of plants and animals facing extinction, threatens these contributions to people. Measures to support and enhance sustainable use of wild species, and to ensure sustainable use in the future, will make direct contributions to meeting many of the Sustainable Development Goals.

Latin America is one of the most biodiverse regions in the world. The cultural diversity of indigenous peoples and local communities provides a wealth of knowledge, languages, traditions, worldviews and practices. This session aims to discuss the main results of the Sustainable Use Assessment for biodiversity conservation and indigenous communities, with special focus on Latin America. Dr. Marla Emery, one of the co-chairs of the Assessment will present the main findings of the report for the region and the implementation of SDGs. This will be followed by short presentations by Lead Authors of the report and a country focal point that will discuss the implications of the report for different ecosystems and countries as well as its potential impact on national public policies and international conservation negotiations.

This session will be in Spanish.

Media Release: IPBES Sustainable Use Assessment

Program:
9.00 AM Introduction: the RITS initiative - Mario Pecheny (CONICET) Rodolfo Rey (CONICET) and Mora Castro (CONICET).

9.10 AM Business restrictions for the strengthening of public and universal health systems. Lessons from the pandemic. The cases of Argentina and Brazil – María José Luzuriaga, PhD, Universidad Nacional de Lanús, and Ligia Bahia, MD, PhD. Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro.

9.30 AM Chagas disease and syphilis in paediatrics: the best science for the most neglected – Jaime Altcheh, MD, PhD. IMIPP (CONICET)

9.50 AM Thematic network on emerging viruses – Juan Arbiza, PhD. Universidad de la República (Uruguay).

10.10 AM Activities of the infectious disease modeling network during the COVID-19 pandemic – Juan Aparicio, PhD. INENCO (CONICET).

10.30 AM Investigating pain in networks, an opportunity to do translational research – Marcelo Villar, MD, PhD. IIMT (CONICET)

10.50 AM BREAK

11.10 PM Collaborative Research Networks on Global Maternal and Perinatal Health –José Belizán, MD, PhD. CIESP (CONICET)

11.30 PM International Translational Research Networks: opportunities to generate evidence to improve the health of vulnerable populations – Valeria Fink, MD. Fundación Huésped.

11.50 PM Translational research network on liver diseases – Guillermo Mazzolini, MD, PhD. IIMT (CONICET)

12.10 PM Latin American Collaborative Study of Congenital Malformations (ECLAMC): A Model for Health Collaborative Studies – Jorge López Camelo, PhD. CEMIC (CONICET)

12.30 PM Collaboration networks for implementation science to approach NCDs prevention and management in LMICs – Vilma Irazola, MD, MSc. CIESP (CONICET)

12.50 PM CONCLUSIONS

Abstract
Worldwide inequality represents a threat to human progress. Poor outcomes in health, associated with an increased risk of exposure to disease and limited access to up-to-date healthcare, is more frequently observed in regions or countries with limited economic resources. High-quality research locally led is critical for overcoming these health challenges. Solving population health problems is a mission of public policies. In fulfilling this mission and its intermediate objectives, researchers must base themselves on multidisciplinary interaction and on the rational use of existing resources, which requires coordination and a broad collaboration strategy. With this concept in mind, CONICET (National Scientific and Technical Research Council of Argentina) fostered the creation of the Institutional Networks Oriented to the Solution of Problems (Spanish acronym, RIOSP), formed from the association of research groups belonging to Science and Technology Organizations and public and/or private institutions, in order to address complex and significant problems for the development of the social, and productive environment, as well as situations of risk or threats. One of these networks is the Network for Translational Research in Health (Spanish acronym, RITS), whose mission is to promote a translational research of excellence and sustainable for the benefit of the health of the Argentine population. The objectives or RITS are to articulate and strengthen existing capacities in the country to promote the development of networks of translational research in the area, and to foster the development of capacities and strengthen existing ones to promote greater development of clinical research based on basic research and greater population and implementation research based on clinical research, in order to achieve improvements in the quality of the population's health. In this session, examples of networks recently created from CONICET’s initiative as well as other successful examples of networks dedicated to translational research with impact in Latin American countries and other regions of limited resources will be presented.


Organizing Committee
* Rodolfo Rey, MD, PhD (CONICET)
* Mora Castro, PhD (CONICET)
* Verónica Abello, MD (CONICET)
* Cecilia Szymczak (CONICET)
Contact: redestematicas@conicet.gov.ar

RECORDING: Valuing Value: How any Organization Can Measure Stakeholder Value and “Ethical Capitalism”

RECORDINGS: Japan-related playlist

***

What is a “good” company, and how can it create the highest possible value for itself and each of its stakeholders?

Until today, higher profits and shareholder value continue to serve as a measure for what a “good” company is and does, but the hidden impacts that this focus has had on other stakeholders has become impossible to ignore. Because of this, a new way of seeing, measuring and managing a business’s impacts on its various stakeholders is becoming increasingly important. As of yet, there is no clear, objective and transparent way to do this consistently, comprehensively and equitably across businesses, industries and markets.

The Value Research Center (VRC) at Doshisha University (Kyoto, Japan) has synthesized more than 20 of the world’s top ESG and sustainability reporting frameworks into a model that can be used by any business to understand and manage its impacts on its shareholders, employees, customers, partners, society, and the planet, and to use this new understanding to create forward-focused strategies that will increase the value created for all of them.

This session will begin with a presentation by Prof. Philip Sugai, Director of the Value Research Center, who will introduce the Value Model, its philosophical foundations in Japanese business, and how it can used to both develop practical regulatory oversight as well as forward-thinking, value-focused business strategies.

Then Prof. Sugai will hold a “fireside chat” together with Prof. Toshiya Hoshino, Director, ESG Integration Research and Education Center, Osaka University and moderated by Prof. Haruko Satoh from the Osaka School of International Public Policy at Osaka University to explore value, ESG and sustainability issues, and Japan’s unique contributions to these issues.

Then a wider panel of experts including Jin Montesano, Chief Public Affairs and People Officer, Executive Officer and Senior Managing Director at LIXIL; Masato Yamazaki, Professor Emeritus of Economics, Aquinas College; Trista Bridges, Author of Leading Sustainably; Yoshie Sugai, Founder of Nenshin Ryu Budo, Chiseikan Dojo; and Kumar Iyer, Sustainability Strategist will dig more deeply into the essence of value, Japan’s historical and current efforts to align this history with the current challenges addressed by the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals, and how business can continue to drive real and measurable achievement of these in a just and equitable way.

NOTE: This session will be delivered in English and Japan with simultaneous interpretation.
お知らせ：このセッションは英語と日本語で行われ、日英同時通訳が付きます。

PROGRAM
8:15 Opening
Chairmans:
Jorge Rico F., MD (COL)
Guillermo Alvarez E., MD (DOM)

8:30 – 9:00 a.m.
Chronic Kidney Disease in the Americas: a growing pandemic
Guillermo Alvarez E., MD (DOM)

9:00 – 9:30 a.m.
Chronic Kidney Disease of undetermined cause in the Americas: a growing shadow pandemic
Ramón García Trabanino, MD (SAL)

9:40 – 11:10 a.m.
The importance of CKD Registries for decision-making in health. The Latin American Registry of Dialysis and Transplantation:
History
Contribution to knowledge
Challenges
Maria Carlota Gonzalez Bedat (URU)

The SLANH-OPS alliance
Alejandro Ferreiro Fuentes (URU)

Epidemiological data of CKD in RRT in LATAM
Maria Carlota Gonzalez Bedat (URU)

Examples of decision-making based on data from ERC Registries
Guillermo Rosa Diez (ARG)

11:20 a.m. – 11:40 p.m.
CKD in a situation of health inertia in Latin America
Augusto Vallejos, MD (ARG)

11:40 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Recommendations for the creation of a Renal Health Program in Latin America. 
Cristina Carlino, MD (ARG)

12:00 p.m. - 12:20 p.m.
18 years of the Renal Health Program of Uruguay
Pablo Rios, MD (URU)

12:20 p.m. - 12:40 p.m. 
Renal Health in RED in Chile
Carlos Zuñiga, MD (CHI)

12:40 p.m. - 01:00 p.m. 
Other successful experiences in LA.Guatemala
Vicente Sanchez Polo, MD (GUA)

01:00 p.m.- 01:30 p.m.
Q&A

03:00 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.
Financial burden of Chronic Kidney Disease for health systems
The global burden of chronic kidney disease in Latin America, its impact on the generation of a Health policy and decision making for Renal Substitution therapies
Chairman: Laura Cortes Sanabria, MD (MEX)

Inequity in renal care in Latin America. The effects of economic variables and post-pandemic challenges
Sebastian Cabrera, MD (CHI)

Importance of the study of the global burden of CKD for decision-making in renal health policy in Latin America.
Javier Arango, MD (COL)

Cost effectiveness studies a tool to generate valuable results in the availability of renal replacement therapies in Latin America.
Santiago Torales, MD (ARG)

3:30 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Conclusions

This event will take place in New York and participation is possible online and in person. However, 
in person participation requires a personal invitation by the organizers.  

Convened by "Medicines for Future (M4F)" initiative, the University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna (BOKU), Austria, and Cape Bio Pharms, South Africa, in cooperation with the International Society for Plant Molecular Farming.

Agenda 
Venue: Hybrid; Permanent Mission of Austria to the United Nations in New York, and Video Conference
Date:    Tuesday, September 27th, 2022, 10:00 am - 12:30 pm EDT
Organizers: Medicines for Future (M4F), represented by Josef Glössl, Declan Kirrane and Kurt Zatloukal, and Cape Bio Pharms, represented by Belinda Shaw

     Mr Declan Kirrane ISC Intelligence, Moderator
     Prof Josef Glössl M4F and BOKU, Co-Moderator
10:00 Welcome 
     Ambassador Dr. Alexander Marschik (Host) Permanent Mission of Austria to the UN in New York
10:10 Introductory Remarks
     Intisar Soghayroun Minister of Science and currently President of Khartoum University, Sudan
     Prof. Frédéric Ouattara Minister of Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation, Burkina Faso
     Dr Danuma Usman Member of the Nigerian Parliament. Chairman of the Science Committee
     Dr Cynthia Asare Bediako Chief Director, Ministry of Environment, Science, Technology and Innovation, Ghana
10:20 Setting the Scene: Infectious Diseases as Global Health Challenges
     Prof. Florian Krammer Dept Microbiology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
     New Collaboration Model for Addressing Global Health Challenges
     Prof. Kurt Zatloukal M4F and Medical University of Graz, Austria
10:40    Plant Molecular Farming (PMF) as Key Enabling Technology 
     Prof. Julian Ma Institute for Infection and Immunity, St George's, University of London, UK
     Prof. Inge Broer International Society for Plant Molecular Farming (ISPMF)
11:00 The Versatility of PMF as Demonstrated by Case Studies 
     Prof. Waranyoo Phoolcharoen Chulalongkorn University in Bangkok and Baiya Phytopharm, Thailand
     Dr. Martín Salinas Moolec Science, BIOCERES, Argentina (tbc)
     Dr. Ofra Chen Transalgae, Weizmann Science Park, Rehovot, Israel (tbc)
     Belinda Shaw Cape Bio Pharms, South Africa
     Prof. Edwin Scott Asemota Collaborative Malaria Plant Vaccine Development Initiative, Nigeria and Germany
11:25 The Future Perspectives of PMF
    Prof. Ed Rybicki Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of Cape Town, South Africa
11:35 Moderated Panel Discussion: Policy Framework for Stimulating Cooperative Capacity Building for Better          Access to Medicines and Vaccines
Participants: Speakers from above plus additional Panelists
   Ben Durham Department of Science and Innovation, Pretoria, South Africa
   Dr Juan Miguel González-Aranda LifeWatch ERIC, Madrid, Spain
   Dr. Hermann Garden Policy Advisor Health Innovation, OECD
   Prof. Motlalepula Matsabisa Faculty Health Sciences, University of the Free State, Bloemfontein, South Africa
12:25 Outlook and next steps 
     Declan Kirrane
12:30 End

Rationale for the session
Equal access to affordable medicines and vaccines is a key goal in SDG 3b, Good Health and Well-Being. However, the COVID-19 pandemic demonstrated how disparate infectious diseases affect global health systems and highlighted global inequality for R&D, manufacturing and ultimately vaccine accessibility. Specifically, as a result of widespread economic inequities millions of people in low- and middle-income countries (LMIC) lacked appropriate access to medicines because the domestic biopharmaceutical production capacity was limited. High global demand of biopharmaceuticals (vaccines or medicines) further aggravated the supply shortage, with detrimental consequences for the health of LMIC populations. A route forward to improve the resilience of LIMC against similar global pandemics in the future is to build local medical infrastructure and to educate skilled people capable of managing emergency situations in public health.
The current COVID-19 pandemic clearly showed that centralized approaches to vaccine development, manufacture and distribution were inefficient and unequal. Therefore, we would like to present a new model for global collaboration and capacity building in the context of the UNGA77 Science Summit. Diversifying biopharmaceutical production into technologies that are less depended on expert staff and specialized infrastructure can reduce production costs and improve regional independence of LMIC from global supply chains. At the UNGA77 science session, Plant Molecular Farming (PMF) will be highlighted as one such diversifying options because it is an innovative and versatile technology platform to achieve a simple, scalable and low-cost yet versatile and reliable production of biopharmaceuticals.
In the Science Session “Green Medicines - Plant Molecular Farming and New Collaboration Model for Addressing Global Health Challenges”, the collaboration between the initiative Medicines for Future (M4F), the International Society of Plant Molecular Farming (ISPMF) and the further participating organizations aims to contribute increasing the accessibility of essential medicines to people in low- and middle-income countries.

For a full description of the session please see the uploaded pdf file below

Science Summit at United Nations General Assembly - UNGA77 13-30 September 2022
Theme: Climate Adaptation 

CITIES:  A call for high-quality, harmonized, reliable, and comparable climate-related data with standardized guidance to reduce emissions in cities.

Click here to join: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/82664496959

Inclusive scientific-data collaborations through education and training workshops, seminars, and conferences between developed and developing countries to address skill gaps on the issue of collecting, analyzing, and reporting high-quality, harmonized, reliable, and comparable information on climate-related data is critical but is a challenge as the harmonization of existing data is a work-in-progress. Therefore, to boost investor confidence and enable long-term climate finance investment flows for green finance, there is a need for more inclusive science-based training workshops to keep track of rapid changes to applied practices and methodological approaches in GHG emissions accounting. The rapid deployment of methodologies for monitoring and reporting climate-related data for climate risks and for scaling up green finance has revealed capacity gaps between developing and developed countries. These skill gaps need to be addressed. The universal effort to address this issue has primarily focused on the high-income countries that account for over 80% of global emissions with little attention to developing countries. At present, Africa only contributes 4% of global CO2 emissions. However, Sub-Saharan Africa is projected to become the most populous of the eight geographical regions of the world increasing energy demand: increasing their wealth through GDP growth and increasing inter-trade. For example, in 2019, the African Continental Free Trade Agreement came into effect, creating the largest free trade market in the world. Africa’s current emissions are projected to increase from 4% to 8% by 2050. At the highest end of the analysis, 20% of CO2 emissions by the end of the century. The purpose of this session is to facilitate a dialogue on initiating a road-map for inclusive scientific-data collaborations between financial, scientific institutions, academia, and industry in developed and developing countries (governments, banks, companies, and civil society) on the issue of high-quality, harmonized, reliable and comparable on climate-related data with standardized guidance as the critical component to enable forward-looking data assessments on climate-related risk to mobilize long-term capital for green and low-carbon investments.

Why is it so important to harmonize climate-related data? 
It is important to harmonize climate-related data to boost investor confidence, enable forward-looking data, and enable the mobilization of funds to Africa to address climate change. After another year of life-threatening temperatures and extreme weather disasters, wealthy developed countries are under pressure to make good on their promise to mobilize US$100 billion a year to help poorer countries deal with climate change. A new report from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, released on Feb. 28, 2022, provides more evidence of what billions of people are facing: Developing countries that have contributed the least to climate change are suffering the most from it, and the damage is escalating. Coastal areas in Africa are losing land to rising seas. Flooding from extreme storms is wiping out people’s livelihoods. Heat waves are harming people who have no access to cooling, killing crops, and affecting marine life communities rely on. It is unclear how much impact the climate finance already flowing to these countries, estimated at $79.6 billion in 2019, is having. There is an overwhelming lack of climate-related data. There is also evidence of countries supporting projects that can harm the climate with money they count as “climate finance.” Actions by European countries also include the development of Climate Smart Cities to reduce emissions as well as the global financial community working together to harmonize climate-related data.

Question to be addressed: -

SESSION 2: CITIES
(a) What is the potential for Positive Energy Districts replication in African cities?
(b) What is the potential of AI, transport, and GHG emissions: evidence from Brussels?
(c) Cities in Africa - what is the potential for NET Zero?

 
POLICY IMPLEMENTATION

We discuss what is the way forward for policy. 
- Data standards
- Data quality
- Data Assurance and Audits


   

SESSION ABSTRACT
The search for active compounds in biodiversity – known as bioprospecting – has diminished in recent years due to several reasons. For example, the advent of biologicals from biotechnology and the increase in the capacity of synthesis of new compounds using combinatorial chemistry have risen as alternatives of obtaining new chemical entities.
Certain intrinsic problems that are directly related to bioprospecting have also undermined this activity, including regulation issues, weak institutions in regions of interest, difficulty of access to genetic resources due to poor infrastructure, and poor risk pricing. Bioprospecting is also considered a process that is often too long and has little guarantee of success.
The present session aims to discuss the present and future of bioprospecting in Latin America, in particular regarding the exploration of innovative models for accessing biodiversity.

El objetivo principal del Manifiesto panamericano sobre las enfermedades reumáticas ha sido conocer las necesidades de atención y rehabilitación, las barreras a las que se enfrentan y el impacto en la calidad de vida de las personas que padecen enfermedades reumáticas en la región panamericana.

Nearly three years after the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, the critical importance of investing in biomedical research and development (R&D) to achieve Health for All has become more apparent than ever. New, effective vaccines were developed with unprecedented speed thanks to a level of global investment and collaboration in R&D that matched the urgency of the crisis. However, these remarkable efforts also exposed serious gaps in equitable access to health tools, technologies, and services, which have had a negative impact on key areas of development. The lesson is clear: investing in both biomedical innovation and equitable access is necessary to achieve Health for All, which in turn is a driver for sustainable development. Join us for an interactive discussion on how good practices in innovation are contributing to the achievement of the third Sustainable Development Goal, and the solutions needed to support sustainable and expanded scientific collaborations. The session will end with a Q&A.

This event is co-organized by Drugs for Neglected Diseases initiative, Medicines for Malaria Venture, and TB Alliance.

Compostaje Comunitario: Experiencias en América Latina
Moderador: Ing. Paula Álvarez - Instituto Misionero de Biodiversidad
Expositores: Ing. Violeta Silbert Voldman, Mgtr. Ing. Pamela Natan, Mgtr. Ing. Marcos José de Abreu, Clara Espínola.

La presente propuesta se fundamenta en las siguientes consideraciones, en línea con los Objetivos de Desarrollo Sostenible 2030:

• El proceso de compostaje comunitario aporta a que las ciudades, municipios y los distintos asentamientos humanos sean más inclusivos, seguros, resilientes y sostenibles. Esta propuesta contribuye con acciones al ODS 11 “Ciudades y comunidades sostenibles”. 
• El compost constituye una fuente de materia orgánica, vital para el suelo, aportando humedad, aire y nutrientes. Transformándose ésta en un soporte para el mantenimiento de la fertilidad del suelo y, consecuentemente, para la producción agrícola sostenible. Contribuyendo mediante la conservación de los microorganismos del suelo al ODS 15 “Vida de ecosistemas terrestres”. 
• El compost como un producto de alto valor agregado, es económicamente viable y ayuda a los agricultores a mejorar la productividad de sus suelos y sus ingresos. Apoyando el crecimiento económico inclusivo y sostenible, el empleo y el trabajo decente para todos, en línea con el ODS 8 “Trabajo decente y crecimiento económico”.

Considerando la importancia de dar a conocer las estrategias para la implementación de esta modalidad de gestión de la fracción compostable de los residuos, contaremos en este panel con la ponencia de especialistas en la temática, quienes fomentan el Compostaje en sus diferentes escalas en Argentina, Brasil y Paraguay.

Recent progress has been made in encouraging students to take an active role in their learning in higher education, providing perspectives for them to actively participate in this process, through critical reflection and analysis of topics.
Considering the United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development Goals, this session aims to discuss the added value of active learning strategies and creative ways of engaging students to appreciate Science. Sharing experiences to dynamize the class and engage students, encouraging critical thinking and improving their learning experience will be discussed. This session also addresses the point of view of the students' perspective, in particular major strengths, and weaknesses.
Therefore, the implementation of combined active methodologies as the World Café learning method, problem-based learning, mentored projects, oriented to the student’s independent work and active learning are in progress within the biomedical field. In addition, the Collaborative Online International Learning initiative, based on the involvement of teachers and students, with different geographical origins, language, and culture, for the development of collaborative teaching and learning experiences using online communication tools aims to promote an additional opportunity to complement the development of technical-scientific skills.
As a key message, several promising experiences increasing the dynamism of classes will be shared, although a constant effort is required by the two players (teachers and students) in developing cooperative and collaborative work skills and improving new learning methods in the biomedical field. Also important is to consider learning breaks, with the inclusion of physical activity to promote students’ well-being, crucial for their academic, professional, and social success.

Date: September 29, 2022
Time: 9:00AM-5:00PM
Host: Permanent Mission of Ireland to the United Nations
In-person Address: 885 Second Avenue, 21st Floor, New York, NY 10017
Virtual Zoom Address: https://msu.zoom.us/j/91934148834

Using Assistive Technology to Promote Social Inclusion for People with Disability through Collaboration and Partnership between Africa, America, Asia and Europe

One billion people, or 15% of the world’s population, experience forms of disabilities. Among those, one-fifth of the estimated global total, or between 110 million and 190 million people, experience significant disabilities. Disability prevalence is even higher in developing countries and those with disabilities are more likely to experience adverse socioeconomic outcomes such as less education, poorer health and employment outcomes, and higher poverty rates.

The European Commission’s European Disability Strategy 2010-2020 identified social exclusion as one of the grand challenges that people with disabilities in Europe are facing. People with disabilities are the most disadvantaged in society exacerbating many inequity issues. For instance, people with disabilities may have limited access to basic education, which can largely reduce their chances to obtain meaningful and gainful employment as adults. Globally, the employment rates of people with disabilities are significantly lower than their peers without disabilities. In addition to the socio-economic implications, social exclusion impacts negatively on self-esteem, mental health and quality of life. Thus, social inclusion is an important element of well-being for people with disabilities and a key component of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. Research has highlighted that social inclusion can be promoted through access to education and employment.

Research has also demonstrated that assistive technology (AT) can be a meaningful way to improve access to education, employment, independence and community participation among people with disabilities. AT, include both high-end and low-end devices, equipment and systems, apps and other products. While AT can be useful in improving the life of people with disabilities, the World Health Organization have identified that only 10% of the population in need of AT products have access to them.

While AT provision varies across countries, the intent to support people with disabilities should be a global priority with a focus on removing barriers and providing facilitators to independent living, community participation, and transition from education to employment settings. The rapid pace of technological advancement can leave behind the most vulnerable in society especially those with disabilities. There are low rates of AT adoption by service providers, educators, employers and policymakers as well as high rates of AT abandonment. Building global capacity for AT provision and applications will provide a unique opportunity to support independence and inclusion for people with disabilities through the use of AT.

In collaboration with different stakeholders, we will highlight the critical role of partnerships across different continents, including Africa, America, Asia and Europe in increasing social inclusion and improving lives for people with disabilities. Through a series of presentations, representatives from various continents and countries will discuss the challenges faced by people with disabilities in accessing education and employment and how this leads to social exclusion. We will discuss the importance of AT in bridging the gap between social exclusion and inclusion. We will discuss the importance of a science-based approach as research findings will be presented that will demonstrate how evidence-based educational and employment programs can improve inclusion for people with disability worldwide. We will also discuss an EU COST Action (CA19104), entitled, Advancing Social Inclusion through Technology and Empowerment (a-STEP) which is an interdisciplinary, intersectoral pan EU network of researchers, service providers and people with disability. a-STEP seeks to improve access to education and employment for people with disability through AT.

9:00-10:00am: Keynote Speaker

• Marcia J. Scherer, Founding President, Institute for Matching Person & Technology | Professor of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, University of Rochester Medical Center

10:00-10:20am: Break

10:20-10:50am: Social Inclusion in Education Setting for Individuals with Disabilities
Geraldine Leader, Associate Professor, University of Galway | Director, Irish Centre for Autism and Neurodevelopmental Research

11:00-12:30pm: Panel of 3-4 presentations on topic around social inclusion in education setting (20-30 mins per presentation) – Presenters include representatives from US, Europe, Africa, Asia – a combination of researchers, practitioners, policymakers

• African rep: Binta Koita, Representative of Université des Lettres et des Sciences Humaines de Bamako; Ambumulire N. Itimu Phiri, Acting Chief Executive Officer for the National Council for Higher Education (NCHE) in Malawi
• American rep: Sheryl Burgstahler, Founder and Director, DO-IT Center and UW Access Technology Center
• Asian rep: Cynthia Lai, Associate Professor of Rehabilitation Sciences, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University
• European rep: Rahma Sophia Rachdi, Correspondent- Head of Bureau, United States Press Agency

12:30-2:00pm: Roundtable discussion over lunch

2:00-2:30pm: Social Inclusion in Employment Setting for Individuals with Disabilities
Connie Sung, Associate Professor, Michigan State University | Co-Director, MSU Center for Services, Research and Training for Independence and Desired Employment

2:40-4:10pm: Panel of 3-4 presentations on topic around social inclusion in employment setting (20-30 mins per presentation) – Presenters include representatives from US, Europe, Africa, Asia – a combination of researchers, practitioners, policymakers

• African rep: Christiana Okyere, Senior Research Associate, McMaster University; Boitumelo Mangope, Senior Lecturer, University of Botswana
• American rep: Jo Sinha, CEO, Peckham, Inc; Laurie Penfold, Customer Service Representative, Peckham, Inc.
• Asian rep: June Chen, Associate Professor, Deputy Director of Department, East China Normal University
• European rep: Evert-Jan Hoogerwerf, Head of Sector Assistive Technology of AIAS Bologna, SG of AAATE and GAATO

4:10-4:30pm: Closing remark

For questions, please contact Administrative Assistant, Shannon Aydukovic, via email (aydukov3@msu.edu) or phone (+1-517-432-9101).

Russia’s war of genocide against Ukraine is having a direct negative impact on climate change and sustainable development in energy, food security and global poverty.  Ukrainian climate scientist  Svitlana Krakovska speaks of the fossil fuel war. Ukraine is committed to the Paris Climate Accord. It has an active program to fulfil Agenda 2030 goals internally and contribute to the global effort through Ukraine’s research and advanced technology development.
Russia’s war has resulted in significant damage to research facilities in Ukraine. There are multiple examples of theft and destruction of research instruments by Russian occupying forces.
Now young scientists in Ukraine have been mobilized to fight the invaders. After Russia stops its war and withdraws its forces, Ukraine will face the challenge of reopening research labs and retaining vitally needed scientists for research programs in Ukraine and with international partners.
Ukraine is committed to climate change and UN Agenda 2030. It is seeking international partners to help renew facilities and capabilities damaged by the war as well as to make its contribution to meeting global challenges.
The session will present how Ukrainian science is coping with the irrational onslaught of state-sponsored terrorism and identify areas with high potential for partnerships with other countries and international organizations to advance UN Sustainable Development Goals and achieve carbon neutrality by 2050.
Keywords: Russia's war in Ukraine, Science at risk, Antifragility, Sustainable Development Goals: SDG4 Quality Education,  SDG7 Affordable and Clean Energy, SDG8 Decent Work and Economic Growth, SDG9 Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure, SDG11 Sustainable Cities and Communities, SDG13 Climate Action, SDG16 Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions and SDG17 Partnerships for the Goals

Peatlands cover about 11.2% of the land area of Latvia with significant biodiversity. Peat is also an important economic resource of Latvia generating about 220 million euros in exports principally in the form of peat used for horticulture in Germany, Netherlands, UK, and other countries. Degraded peatland resulting from removal of top layers of peat can become a significant emitter of greenhouse gasses (GHG).  Latvia is developing a model for sustainable use of peatlands that minimizes GHG emissions while preserving biodiversity and fostering economic development in rural areas that need to create meaningful work.In 2019 Latvia concluded the project “Sustainable and Responsible  Management and Re-use of Degraded Peatlands in Latvia’’ (LIFE14 CCM/ LV/001103, LIFE REstore) presenting the scientific evidence for sustainable use of peatlands. This session will update developments in since the project was completed 31 August 2019 affirming the continuing relevance of the research conducted in Latvia on peatlands. The issue is very important for Latvia due to the position advanced by advocates of peatland restoration that oppose the economic use of peatlands. https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-59195535. Models used by the IPPC to estimate GHG emissions assume that extracted peat is used as a fuel and burned rather than as a soil substrate in horticulture. Analysis shows that soil substrates from alternatives to peat generate more GHGs. Extraction, packaging and shipping of peat from rural areas in Latvia creates much needed meaningful work and thereby contributes to meeting UN SDGs. dArguments for banning use of peat for agriculture need to also consider that substitutes for peat may result in greater global GHC emissions than well-managed use of peatlands coupled with both restoration of degraded peatlands and investment to grow cranberries and other health promoting crops.  Peat for horticulture is a significant export of Latvia. Sustainable economic use of degraded peatlands is possible further contributing to sustainable development of rural regions in Latvia that have seen significant reduction in their population and the quality of education, health and other services for the people that remain in regions with declining economic activity.  Latvia offers a model for sustainable use of peatlands that can be adapted to similar regions in other parts of the world.

Program

9.00 AM Introduction: origin and motivation of the session. Gabriel Fabricius (INIFTA-CONICET-UNLP, La Plata, Argentina)

9.10 AM Modelling to inform strategy and tactics in Australia’s COVID-19 response. Jodie Mc Vernon (Doherty Institute, Melbourne, Australia)

9.30 AM The experience with epidemiological indicators to advise decision making during the COVID-19 pandemic in Brazil. Daniel Villela (Fiocruz, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil)

9.50 AM The turning point and end of an expanding epidemic cannot be precisely forecast. Saul Ares (CSIC, Madrid, Spain)

10.10 AM Modeling Covid-19 in Costa Rica: A Multilayer Network Approach. Fabio Sanchez (School of Mathematics-CIMPA, University of Costa Rica, Costa Rica)

10.30 Discussion
 


Multidisciplinary science and scientific advising for public decision making. Lessons from the COVID-19 pandemic.
During the current COVID-19 pandemic, and especially at the early times facing the emergency, scientists were called to duty to confront the pandemic on two fronts: the technical and the decision-making fronts. Science was well prepared and organized for the first task: COVID-19 diagnosis tests were developed very fast, together with new and enhanced antiviruses protective equipment, starting the development of several vaccines with different technologies in record time. In public policy advising matters, the science contribution is not so clear and it is difficult to measure. A probable factor contributing to this problem is that emerging natural problems are not divided into disciplines and subdisciplines, as science is. Epidemics are phenomena that exceed the union of disciplines since many of their difficulties stem from intricacies in the region of knowledge where the disciplines fade out, a sort of nobody’s land. In addition to the need for an interdisciplinary approach, fast communication between scientists, the public health system and the government is required.  The meeting proposes to examine different experiences that occurred during the COVID-19 pandemic and the possibilities and difficulties to integrate into decision processes seeking to discover the forms in which interdisciplinary efforts can be articulated and promoted worldwide. 

Resúmenes- Abstracts:
 
Introduction: origin and motivation of the session. G.Fabricius
I will make a brief introduction commenting on some activities carried out during the COVID19 pandemic. In particular, the monitoring of the epidemic in Argentina performed by the Infectious Diseases Modelling Network during 2020, and the series of "Interdisciplinary Dialogues around the COVID-19 pandemic", conducted within the framework of the Network for Translational Research in Health (https://rits.conicet.gov.ar/) during 2021. Some of the questions and concerns that emerged from those activities motivated the organization of the present session.

Modelling to inform strategy and tactics in Australia’s COVID-19 response. J. Mc Vernon
The Western Pacific Region was unique globally in its experience of the COVID-19 pandemic, with many island nations including Australia using strict border controls to delay entry of the virus over an extended period. This initial phase of ‘anticipation’ was followed by a strong suppression strategy achieved through active case and contact management, supported by stringent social restrictions as required. Effective ‘elimination’ was sustained through most subnational jurisdictions through to mid 2021, at which point ‘vaccination’ provided a pathway to reconnecting within and beyond national borders. Importation of the highly transmissible Omicron variant rapidly transitioned Australia’s COVID-19 epidemic from low to high prevalence, although burden was substantively mitigated by high prior vaccine coverage. By late 2022, high ‘saturation’ of infection and vaccination coverage had been achieved, making the population relatively resilient to the emergence of BA4/5. This presentation will review the role of modelling in guiding strategic policy decision making within and between these four stages of Australia’s pandemic response.

The experience with epidemiological indicators to advise decision making during the COVID-19 pandemic in Brazil. D. Villela
Brazil collected records of COVID-19 cases into national surveillance databases during the pandemic. From the start, there was a need to establish good epidemiological indicators to advise decision-making oriented to mitigate the pandemic's impact. This talk will discuss lessons learned during the process. Attention will be given to highlighting indicators that convey the incidence of severe cases, the impact of policies, including vaccination, challenges involving the volume of data, and periods with missing notification data.

The turning point and end of an expanding epidemic cannot be precisely forecast. S. Ares
Certain generic features of epidemics are well-illustrated by mathematical models, which can be remarkably good at reproducing empirical data through suitably chosen parameters. However, this does not assure a good job anticipating the forthcoming stages of the process. The future of ongoing epidemics is so sensitive to parameter values that predictions are only meaningful within a narrow time window and in probabilistic terms, much as what we are used to in weather forecasts. Epidemic spread is characterized by exponentially growing dynamics, which are intrinsically unpredictable. The time at which the growth in the number of infected individuals halts and starts decreasing cannot be calculated with certainty before the turning point is actually attained; neither can the end of the epidemic after the turning point. There is a short horizon for reliable prediction, followed by a dispersion of the possible trajectories that grows extremely fast. However, these shortcomings do not render epidemiological models useless: short term predictions can be valuable and, moreover, models are an effective tool to compare scenarios and design action strategies.

Modeling Covid-19 in Costa Rica: A Multilayer Network Approach. F. Sánchez
During the 2020 Covid-19 pandemic in Costa Rica, different groups developed modelling techniques to understand the transmission dynamics of the disease. The modelling team, EpiMEC, developed deterministic models early in the pandemic to provide insight into the early disease dynamics. During the same period, the team developed a multilayer network model that allowed for more flexibility and included preventive measures and interventions from health authorities in the country. The model provided information for decision-makers in the country during the pandemic in Costa Rica.

                            BackgroundThe Andes cordillera runs near the west coast of South America from Venezuela (∼10°N) to the southern tip of the continent (∼53°S), thus encompassing a rich variety of mountain climates and ecosystems, from very humid conditions near the equator and over western Patagonia to the hyper arid conditions in the subtropics. Consistent with its continuity and height, the Andes also produces strong contrasting climate conditions along the eastern and western slopes and adjacent lowlands.
The Andes is a narrow, nearly two-dimensional mountain range, with the exception of a portion between 15°-22°S where it splits into two mountain ranges holding the South American Altiplano, a closed, high level (4000 m ASL) plateau. Likewise, the Andes splits in three branches to the north of the equator, with major rivers draining into the Caribbean Sea.
The Andes provides ecosystem services, starting with the provision of fresh water to nearly 80 million people in seven countries (Venezuela, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia, Chile and Argentina), and at the same time sets the stage for the occurrence of disasters from hydrometeorological extreme events which periodically take a high toll in human and animal lives and, infrastructure and agriculture losses.

                            ANDEX RationaleIn recent years, scientific research in the Andes dealing with our understanding of interactions between hydrological, meteorological and atmospheric processes, has made interesting progress. In addition, the technological advances have allowed for improving hydrometeorological forecasting and climate prediction. In spite of these developments a comprehensive understanding of the Andean hydroclimate is still lacking, which is partly due  to a deficient hydrometeorological monitoring network along the cordiller. While such integrative vision of basic hydroclimatic processes and climate variability is crucial to face the urgent challenges brought about by anthropogenic climate change as well as land use change and deforestation along the Andes. 
ANDEX is a proposed GEWEX Regional Hydroclimate Project (RHP) aiming at understanding, modelling and predicting the dynamics of the water and energy cycles over the Andes cordillera, at a wide range of temporal and spatial scales, and their linkages with the surrounding oceans, land surface and major river basins. ANDEX will tackle a variety of research questions within the interests of the Andean countries and GEWEX’s major goals. Moreover, the agenda ANDEX proposes will further the scientific development in South America through: (i) fostering regional cooperation among researchers and research programs, (ii) establishing a focused research agenda on fundamental issues of the Andes region main interests, (iii) creating the scientific framework to help decision making processes for the sustainable development of a highly environmentally and biogeophysically threatened region, (iv) connecting the Andean region with global and regional initiatives.

ThemesANDEX aims to understand, model, and predict the dynamics of the water and energy cycles over the Andes cordillera, which run from 10ºN to 53ºS and cross Colombia, Venezuela, Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia, Chile, and Argentina. More than 60 million inhabitants rely directly on the water resources provided by the Andes. At the same time they are also exposed to a suite of natural hazards imposed by such impressive geography and climate, ranging from very humid conditions near the equator and western Patagonia to the hyper arid conditions in the subtropics. The Andes also face enormous challenges from human encroachment, urbanization, climate variability, climate change, land use changes, and massive deforestation.
On the previous basis, we have identified four science themes and two cross-cutting themes

• Climate patterns and drivers
• Climate and environmental (LULC) changes
• High impact events
• Andean cryosphere