With the support of the Brazilian Development Bank (BNDES), the Coordination for the Improvement of Higher Education Personnel (CAPES), and the Museum of Tomorrow, the Brazilian Academy of Sciences hosted an International Conference on “How Can Science and Technology Contribute to the Reduction of Poverty and Inequality”, which was held in Rio de Janeiro on 27-29 March*, 2019.
Eradicating poverty in all its forms and reducing inequality within and between countries are two of the greatest challenges facing humanity. In order to translate SDG 1 (No Poverty) and SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities) into action, a comprehensive understanding of the inherent complexities and intrinsic connections between the SDGs is required. The goal of this conference was to assemble renowned experts to discuss, motivate and help mobilize the scientific community to contribute to the paramount effort of building a sustainable planet, with more equality, peace and prosperity.
This meeting was organized under the auspices of the Science for Poverty Eradication Committee of IAP-Science – a network of 107 Science Academies that work together to advise the global public and decision-makers on the scientific aspects of critical global issues. The main objective of this committee is to stimulate the development of a strategy to engage IAP Academies in the global effort to eradicate poverty, reduce inequalities and transform economies through sustainable development. Through the activities of this committee, IAP aims to mobilize Academies and Regional Networks of Academies of Sciences to interact with governments and society, contributing to the implementation of the SDGs.
March 27 – Venue: Museum of Tomorrow
Keynote Lecture: Reflections on Poverty, Inequality and Science
Ismail Serageldin (Library of Alexandria) – Download
Session 1: Poverty as a Multi-Dimensional Problem
Chair: Elisa P. Reis (Federal University of Rio de Janeiro)
Maria Emma Santos (IIESS-UNS-CONICET & Oxford Poverty and Human Development Initiative) – Download
Paulo Buss (Fiocruz) – Download
Allison Loconto (Institut National de la Recherche Agronomique) – Download
Session 2: Inequalities and Differences: Tensions and Complementarities
Chair: Aishah Bidin (National University of Malaysia)
Alex Shankland (Institute of Development Studies) – Download
Jacqueline Pitanguy (Cepia) – Did not use slides
Adilson José Moreira (Mackenzie Presbyterian University) – Download
Session 3: Improving Living Conditions of the Poor
Chair: Ratemo Michieka (Kenya National Academy of Sciences)
Ricardo Paes de Barros (Ayrton Senna Institute & INSPER) – Download
Liu Jinlong (Renmin University of China) – Download
March 28 – Venue: Museum of Tomorrow
Keynote Lecture: The Relevance of the Sustainable Development Goals for Inequality, Poverty and Technology
Ingrid Harvold Kvangraven (University of York) – Download
Session 4: Innovation as a Tool for Poverty and Inequality Reduction
Chair: Yousuf Maudarbocus (Network of African Science Academies)
Nova Ahmed (North South University) – Download
Dion Jerling (Connect Earth) – Download
Rodrigo Baggio (Recode/CDI International) – Did not use slides
Session 5: Assuring Access to Clean Water, Sanitation, and Adequate Food for All
Chair: Peter Fritz (Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research)
Maurício Lopes (EMBRAPA) – Download
Canisius Kanangire (AMCOW) – Download
Maciej Zalewski (UNESCO European Regional Centre for Ecohydrology) – Download
Session 6: Disaster Risk Reduction: Predicting, Preventing, and Mitigating the Impact over Vulnerable Populations
Chair: Lai-Meng Looi (IAP for Health & University of Malaya)
José Marengo (CEMADEN) – Download
Toshio Koike (International Centre for Water Hazard and Risk Management) – Download
Vidya Diwakar (Overseas Development Institute) – Download
March 29 – Venue: Brazilian Development Bank (BNDES)
Keynote Lecture: STI for Poverty and Hunger Alleviation and Sustainability
Mohamed Hassan (TWAS) – Download
Session 7: Tackling Poverty and Inequality
Chair: Julian May (University of the Western Cape)
Romulo Dante Orrico Filho (Federal University of Rio de Janeiro) – Download
Tolu Oni (University of Cambridge) – Download
Alex Ezeh (Drexel University) – Download
Session 8: Social, Political, and Economic Strategies to Empower the Poor
Chair: Wang Yi (Chinese Academy of Sciences Institutes of Science and Development)
Sarah Cook (University of New South Wales) – Download
Ratna Ghosh (McGill University) – Download
Marcelo Carvalho de Andrade (Pró-Natura International) – Download
Session 9: Building Better Science-Policy Interfaces for Poverty Eradication and Inequality Reduction
Chair: Luiz Davidovich (Brazilian Academy of Sciences) – Download
Daya Reddy (International Science Council) – Download
Volker ter Meulen (InterAcademy Partnership) – Download
William Colglazier (American Association for Advancement of Science) – Download
Rashid Bajwa (National Rural Support Program) – Download
