PRICYT 

TABLE OF CONTENTS 

1. Introduction

1.1 The Technological Gap

1.2 A Technological and Scientific Strategy for the Region

1.3 Relationship between Science, Technology and Development

1.3.1Need for a Solid Scientific Infrastructure and Control of Modern Technical Change 

1.3.2 Need for a National Innovation System

1.4 Importance of Hemispheric Cooperation in S&T 

2. OAS and Hemispheric Cooperation in Science and Technology 

2.1 Mandates Received

2.2 OAS Background in the Area of Science and Technology

2.3 OAS-IDB Cooperation

3.Creation of the Office of Science and Technology (OST)

3.1Importance and Characteristics of the OST

3.2 Areas of Activity of the OST

3.3 Coordination with other OAS Units and Programs

4. Functions and Objectives of the OST

5. 5.1 General Coordination Area

5.2 Substantive Areas

5.3 Technical Collaboration

ANNEX: Tasks and Functions of the OST 

4.1 The Office of Science and Technology, in collaboration with other responsibility centers in the Organization and/or with other like minded agencies, will strive to strengthen technical capabilities and programs in the Hemisphere, and will contribute effectively to achieving present and future goals of the Organization as defined by CIDI.

4.2 To advise the Secretary General, the Assistant Secretary General, the Executive Secretary of CIDI, and the governing bodies of the Organization on all matters pertaining directly or indirectly to scientific and technological activities of the Organization, and to carry out their mandates as required.

4.3 To support the member States in the design, formulation, implementation and evaluation of scientific and technological development policies, programs, and strategies, specially those related to the development of institutional and information networks aimed to promote scientific and technological cooperation; to strengthen small and medium-sized enterprises to increase productivity and to create employment; and to encourage strategies for sustainable development.

4.4 To promote regional and hemispheric dialogues in order to link the scientific and technological development efforts made by the member States with the most relevant priorities identified in the inter-American Agenda.

4.5 To identify and disseminate the exchange of successful experiences in the application of scientific and technological development policies.

4.6 To carry out research and studies reviewing the status and evolution of scientific and technological development in the countries of the Hemisphere, and to identify and implement efficient policies, programs and actions to promote this development.

4.7 To support the Executive Secretariat of CIDI in the development of initiatives, programs and projects of horizontal cooperation amongst the member States promoting the collective action in strengthening efforts aimed at fostering scientific and technological development.

4.8 To support the Executive Secretariat of CIDI in organizing ministerial fora and any other mechanisms of governmental representation in the areas of science and technology. In particular, this contribution will be made by providing technical secretariat services for the functioning of the non-permanent specialized committees to be established by CIDI in the areas of science and technology.

4.9 To collaborate with the Executive Secretariat of CIDI in identifying, formulating and designing inter-American cooperation programs in the areas of science and technology, as well as in evaluating projects and activities of specific nature derived from these programs.

4.10 In the area of innovation and enterprise development, the Office will focus on the application of science and technology for the improvement of competitiveness of the productive sector, modernization of the governmental sector, and strengthening of R&D and its linkage with the productive sector.

4.11 To support activities in the application of competitive clean technologies and initiatives on quality, standardization and metrology, with emphasis on small and medium-sized enterprises.

4.12 The Office will continue acting as the Technical Secretariat of the Permanent Committee responsible for the Program "Common Market of Scientific and Technological Knowledge" (MERCOCYT). In this capacity, the Office will be responsible for supporting follow-up and monitoring of actions and recommendations adopted by the Ministers Responsible for Science and Technology in the Cartagena Declaration and Plan of Action.^/

4.13 To coordinate the awarding of the inter-American science prizes.

4.14 The OST will continue to be the Executive Secretariat of the Inter-American Nuclear Energy Commission.

The Office will be under the responsibility of a Director, with the staff assigned to it in the program-budget of the Organization. The Director will report to the Chief of Staff of the Secretary General and will be responsible for the planning, programming, budgeting and coordination of all activities of the Office.

In accordance with the priorities and objectives set forth in this document, as well as in the Executive Order which creates the OST, it will encompass the following areas:

5.1 General Coordination Area, under direct responsibility of the Director of the OST. This area will draw upon the expertise of the substantive areas in (5.2):

Action of the Ministers Responsible for Science and Technology.

Development of Central America and Panama (CTCAP) and Support to other

Subregional Fora.

The substantive areas will be organized as task forces or working groups, with inputs from the different Specialists of the Office.

It was mentioned earlier that these tasks will be the areas of operation for the next three years as visualized at this time. However, areas of activity could change within this period if the needs of the member countries change. OST has been structured to react quickly to any needed change in priorities.

5.3 Technical Collaboration

Due to the limited nature of the available funds, OST will seek funding for activities which will act as catalysts leading to involvement of national governments, bilateral or multilateral donor agencies or development banks, in the proposed activity to bring it to completion.

Whenever necessary and requested, OST will provide technical and logistical support to institutions and member states undertaking national projects within the mandated areas of the Office.

OST will actively seek funding partners from donor agencies within and outside the region, for projects involving several countries of the region and will have the potential to bring about positive changes in a number of these countries.

OST will selectively involve itself in projects supported by multi donor agencies and collaborate in the areas it has experience and comparative advantage. As mentioned before, these areas of experience are the ability to work on regional projects, access to formal networks and network contributors, a significant knowledge of the scientific, technological and industrial infrastructures of the member states and a long term relationship with the scientific and technological communities in the region.