The Inter-American Network of Academies of Sciences IANAS IS MEMBER AFILLIATED OF

Our strength: 23 Academies of Sciences hundreds of scientists actively collaborating with IANAS.

The mission of IANAS is to strengthen science communities in the hemisphere and to provide an independent source of science policy advice to governments on key regional and global challenges.

IANAS PROGRAMS* Capacity Building Science Education Energy Water Women for Science *CB and WfS are horizontal programs

SCIENCE EDUCATION PROGRAM Teaching Assistants Program Structure Teachers Elementary schools Junior high schools Students Scientist of the National Academies of Science

SUPPORT FOR EDUCATION Teaching Support Introduction to Research Promotion and Dissemination of Science Summers on Scientific Research Science on Sunday Science Olympiads Spring Competitions on Mathematics “Parrot” Competitions on Mathematics

As result… IANAS Water Program Lake Titikaka, Bolivia 2011 Sao Paolo, 2012 San Paolo, Brazil 2012 Nicaragua 2011 Book available as PDF in different sites The book “Diagnostico del Agua de las Americas” was presented in 15 countries (2012) of the region A symposium “Enhancing Water Management Capacity in a Changing World” The water network organized in Nicaragua and Guatemala two regional workshops for the management of water

The Program is currently preparing the book “Urban Water of the Americas” The new publication will be first presented in Panama in 2014 with a subsequent international release in March 2015 during International Water Day IANAS Water Program …

ENERGY PROGRAM

WOMEN FOR SCIENCE PROGRAM Anneke Levelt Sengers (US) and Lilliam Alvarez (Cuba) Vision of the Program: Full inclusion and empowerment of women in science

Sources: Figure 2: UNESCO Institute for Statistics Women in Science, 2009/ (3) The Role of Latin American Women in International Scientific Collaboration. Dr E. Margarita Almada, Dr Jane M. Russell & Shirley Ainsworth. IFUW International Federation of University Women Women in Science in the Americas Their careers tend to remain confined to the lower ranks of the hierarchy Women are still poorly represented at the decision-making levels. In particular, women’s membership in national science academies in the region is low - below 30% Women are not sufficiently included in international collaboration teams or publications (3)

Empowering women within the Academies, how are we doing this ? – Appointing liaisons in all Academies and to all Programs, strengthening the network. – With the support of the Academies, promoting the creation of national scientific groups addressing gender issues – Advising and informing IANAS Academies posting resources on gender issues on web page – Produce the quantitative/qualitative information for women scientist in each academy

Other strategies enhancing the status of women scientists… – The Biography Project aimes to give visibility to oustanding women scientists in the Americas with the goal encourage young women to think of science as they evaluate their own future opportunities. – The IANAS Prize outstanding advanced female graduate student in the sciences, mathematics or engineering

And they say… “During the polio epidemic I set an example in Argentina by vaccinating myself and my offspring, after which I set about vaccinating others…” Eugenia Sacerdote Lusting, Argentina “My parents made me feel I could achieve whatever I wanted; the sky was the limit.” Marla Sokolowski, Canada “Science is about data, perseverance, discipline and often about love, and women know a lot about all this” Idelissa Bonelly, Dominican Republic “Being a scientist does not conflict with feminine values; you can be a mother, a housewife and glamorous “ Grace Sirju Charran, Trinidad and Tobago “Science is not to be kept but rather to be spread” Deana Marcano, Venezuela “The most important thing is to devote yourself to what you like best, regardless of the pay or recognition, because this will come if you do your work with passion.” Eugenia Kalnai, US This book was presented simultaneously in 16 countries The Biographies Project

Leading Women Scientists in the Media

Our next steps Strengthening existing regional committees and creating new committees. Performing a census of women scientists in the Academies of the Americas. Promoting recognition of outstanding women scientists in the Americas at all stages of their careers. Clarimar Camacho, Venezuela (IANAS Prize 2013) The IANAS Prize (For young scientists)

Thank you, Merci, Gracias