National Academy of
Sciences of Bolivia:
Priorities and Challenges
IANAS Conference and General Assembly
Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
August 26 – 28, 2010
Bolivia´s challenges today
Social and economic development:
37.7 % of the population live in extreme poverty,
59.9 % of the population in moderate poverty
9.8 % of the population between 18 and 24
years old are unemployed
 Education:
92.7 % of coverage at the primary level,
75.6 % of completion of the 8th grade
 Water:
73.1 % of the population with access to
sustainable water
Bolivia´s challenges today (cont´d)
 Energy:
67 % of total access to electricity, with 30 % of
electricity access in rural areas and 87 % of
electricity access in urban areas
 Environment:
47.5 % of territory covered by woods
17.1 % of territory in protected areas
36.4 Tons of PAO in CFCs consumed per year
 Gender equity:
89 women per 100 men older than 15 years old
are able to read and write
16.9 % women in Parliament
10.3 % Academy members are women
Bolivia´s opportunities
 Half of the estimated world LITHIUM reserves are
located in the Uyuni salt flats in Bolivia
 Second largest estimated reserves of NATURAL GAS
in America are located in Bolivia
 Significant IRON deposits located in the eastern
wetlands of Bolivia
 Current officials and voters pursue to create climate
of social and economic structure change, involving
education, health care, and other reforms.
National Academy of Sciences
of Bolivia (ANCB)
 49 years old and 34 members
 Mission: “to create and foster conditions for the
development of scientific activity and
innovation; to promote science and technology;
to provide support and counseling to
government and private institutions in the
formulation and implementation of science and
technology policies for the development of the
country; and to support and dignify Bolivian
scientists”
ANCB´s main challenge
To become effective at promoting technology
and scientific development; and at acting as
a link between scientists, engineers,
institutions and Government so that
scientific knowledge and technology
advancements can be effectively
implemented by Government and private
institutions for the wellness of Bolivian
society at large.
ANCB: 2006 – 2010
 Promotion of the membership of young and active
Bolivian scientists to the ANCB
 Establishment of relationships with other Bolivian
organizations promoting science, e.g., Bolivian
Association for the Advancement of Science (ABAC),
Bolivian Association of Innovators and Inventors (AIB),
Bolivian Organization of Women Scientists (OBMC),
and others.
Strengthening of relationships with international
organizations promoting science, e.g., IANAS
 Establishment of programs for professional
development of Bolivian scientists, e.g., contacts for
doctorate programs in Mexican Universities.
Addressing ANCB´s challenges
 Elaboration of an strategic plan
 Re-engineering of ANCB, redefining mission, vision
and structure
 Strengthening of the relationships between ANCB and
the Bolivian Government, Universities, private
institutions, organizations, scientists and the general
public
 Strengthening of the relationships between ANCB and
other Academies and international institutions
promoting science
Education and capacity building
 Technical participation in the formulation of National
Education Reform to strengthen science education
 Active support to programs of science education
targeting the general public
 Technical support to universities and research centers
in creating programs for the continuous education of
researchers and scientists
 Technical support to universities, research centers,
institutions and scientists in finding financing, research
grants and establishing collaborations
Energy, Water and Environment
 Technical participation in the elaboration of a National
Energy Plan, and the national strategies for the
exploitation of lithium, natural gas, geothermal energy
and others
 Technical participation in the elaboration of a National
Plan on Management of Natural Resources, and in the
evaluation of proposals
 Technical participation in the formulation of the new
National Environmental Protection Law
Thank you. Questions?