|
|
|
What
is COMCYT?
|
|
|
The
Inter-American Committee on Science and Technology (COMCYT) is a Committee
within the Inter-American Council for Integral Development (CIDI) of the OAS,
established in 1998, in accordance with articles 77 of the OAS Charter and 15
of the CIDI Statutes, through resolutions AG/RES. 1576 (XXVIII-O/98) and CIDI/RES.
41 (III-O/98). The mission of COMCYT is to contribute to the definition and
execution of OAS policy on scientific, technological and innovative
partnership for development. Its goal is to coordinate, provide follow-up and
evaluate the activities on partnership for development of the Organization in
the sector.
The
Science and Technology Ministers and Officials met in Cartagena, Colombia, in
1996 and expressed the possibility of establishing a science and technology
council to consider the guidelines of the mandates that emanated from the
Miami Summit. This was stated in the Plan of Action under point 3.2.
|
|
What
are the most important functions of COMCYT?
|
|
In
short summary, some of the functions of COMCYT include proposing and promoting
hemispheric cooperation policies in scientific development, technology
transfer and promotion of technological innovation in conformance with the
recommendations and presidential and ministerial mandates, among others;
support the preparation and follow-up of ministerial meetings and other
similar meetings in the area of science and technology; contribute in the
preparation and/or updating of PRICYT; and support in the formulation of
characteristics for the production and presentation of activity proposals,
projects and programs in agreement with the CIDI Strategic Plan, FEMCIDI
statutes, PRICYT and mandates received.
|
|
How
is COMCYT different from other science and technology commissions ?
|
|
COMCYT
is made up of government leaders in science and technology or their respective
alternates and high ranking technical officials from science and technology
organizations in the Western Hemisphere that are appointed by the government
of each member State as representatives to this Committee. From here, the
decisions and resolutions emanating from COMCYT gather the interest of the
high ranking national officials in science and technology, representing an
important contribution, for example, to
the next Hemispheric Meeting of Ministers and High Ranking Officials in
Science and Technology within the scope of CIDI.
|
|
What
is the link between the Office of Science and Technology of the OAS and COMCYT?
|
|
The
Office of Science and Technology acts as Technical Secretariat of COMCYT and
provides support in the development of COMCYT’s meetings and activities. For
example, during 2001, the Office collaborated with COMCYT in the evaluation of
project profiles in the areas of science and technology, which were submitted
to the OAS for financing with FEMCIDI funds. This effort facilitated the
selection process carried out by the Inter-American Agency for Cooperation and
Development (IACD) of the OAS.
|
|
What
characteristics are required of a project proposal for submission in the area
of science and technology for financing with FEMCIDI funds?
|
|
Detailed
information can be found on the website of the Inter-American Agency for
Cooperation and Development of the OAS. Nonetheless, it is important to point
out, that at the very minimum, the proposals in science, technology and
innovation must respond to priority areas contained in the Inter-American
Program for Science and Technology (PRICYT),
which is an integral part of CIDI's Strategic Plan for Partnership for
Development, and contains recommendations presented by the Science and
Technology Ministers and Government Officials at the Meeting in Cartagena
(Colombia, March 1996), through the Cartagena Declaration and Plan of Action.
The priorities established by the various Summits of the Americas, in the
areas of science and technology, likewise encompass the priority areas that
need to be considered in the formulation of the proposals.
|
|
