Content
- Interview with Franklin Carrero-Martinez: “A limited research infrastructure brings scientific losses in the region”
- 70 years later: changes and challenges of Southwest South Atlantic fishery resources
- Discover the Voices of the IAI’s Inter-American Network of STeP Fellows
- Challenges of migration in Chile in the face of precariousness and anxiety
- Register for SRI2025 to learn from leaders, innovators, and changemakers
IAI Newsletter 1/25
Interview with Franklin Carrero-Martinez: “A limited research infrastructure brings scientific losses in the region”
An interview with Franklin Carrero, an expert in science diplomacy, addressed key issues about the role of science diplomacy in addressing current and future challenges, both in Latin America and in other regions of the world. Carrero is the Senior Director of Global Sustainability and Development and Science and Technology for Sustainability in the Policy and Global Affairs Division (PGA) of The National Academy of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine (NASEM) in the United States.
For Carrero, science diplomacy goes beyond scientific collaborations or student exchanges. It is a strategic approach that connects science with public policy and foreign relations, allowing governments, scientists, decision makers, and communities to work together to address complex problems.
“The IAI not only fosters scientific collaboration, but also acts as a bridge to connect local needs with global strategies.”
One of the most prominent examples is the Science and Engineers in Exile and Displaced (SEED) project, which supports scientists and engineers displaced by conflicts, such as the one in Ukraine. This program seeks to prevent the loss of scientific talent by providing resources and opportunities for these professionals to continue their work, even in adverse conditions. As Carrero explains, in contexts of conflict or crisis, the “brain drain” involves not only the migration of people, but also the loss of scientific and technical expertise, a significant blow to any country.
The experience of the program in Ukraine, where it works in collaboration with embassies, philanthropic organizations and the private sector, serves as a model for Latin America and the Caribbean. In these regions, natural disasters, such as hurricanes, earthquakes or climate change, have also generated the migration of scientists. According to Carrero, the lack of infrastructure to facilitate the return of these professionals amplifies scientific losses in the region.
“Science diplomacy is essential to translate science into local solutions and relevant public policies.”
Carrero also highlighted the role of the Inter-American Institute for Global Change Research (IAI) as a key player in the integration of science, public policy and communities. According to the expert, the IAI has established itself as a space for dialogue between countries, where decisions are based on scientific evidence and data, allowing interaction between governments, local communities, indigenous peoples and the private sector.
A recurring theme in the conversation was the lack of investment in science and technology in Latin America. Carrero pointed out that the region has one of the lowest levels of investment in research as a percentage of GDP, which limits competitiveness in knowledge-based economies. He also emphasized that this investment must be sustained and long-term, from basic education to the training of researchers and scientists.
Looking ahead to the next decade, Carrero urged the strengthening of formal programs such as those of the IAI and other organizations that promote the training of professionals in science diplomacy. In his opinion, as science and technology become drivers of economic development, it will be essential to have experts who understand both international relations and the implications of scientific advances.
See the full interview here: https://youtu.be/W6edI7iyQXA
IAI Newsletter 1/25
70 years later: changes and challenges of Southwest South Atlantic fishery resources
A recent study led by researchers from Brazil, Uruguay and Argentina reveals worrying trends in the fishery resources of the Southwest Atlantic over the last 70 years. This ocean, vital for food and employment for millions of families, faces serious challenges from climate change and the lack of international coordination to manage its shared resources.
According to lead researcher Omar Defeo, of the Universidad de la República (Uruguay), “the increase in sea surface temperature and climate-induced changes in species distribution complicate fisheries management in a region where species cross the territories of three countries”
The team sought to understand how key fishery resources in this region have changed and what challenges exist to ensure their sustainability. Fisheries in the southwest Atlantic not only provide food, but are also an important source of employment. However, they are threatened by ocean warming and changes in marine ecosystems.
The study was co-funded by the Inter-American Institute for Global Change Research, with the support of the U.S. National Science Foundation.
Key findings
The study highlights three key points:
- Unsustainable management: Nearly 40% of the fishery resources in this region have not been sustainably managed.
- Species transition: Changing oceanographic conditions have favored a transition from cold to warm water species.
- Lack of international governance: The absence of instruments for effective coordination between the governments of Brazil, Uruguay and Argentina complicates the sustainable management of shared fisheries.
Alberto Piola, co-researcher at the University of Buenos Aires (Argentina), stresses that “weak regional coordination hinders the sustainable management of shared fisheries resources, especially in transboundary areas”. Bárbara Franco, from CIMA/CONICET (Argentina), adds that “the region has unique characteristics in terms of the warming observed in recent decades, making it necessary to establish an international governance framework”.
The project brought together researchers from various institutions, including UNDECIMAR (Uruguay), the Centro de Investigaciones del Mar y la Atmósfera (CIMA, Argentina), the Instituto Nacional de Investigación y Desarrollo Pesquero (INIDEP, Argentina) and the Universidade Federal do Rio Grande (Brazil), among others.
The research was also supported by the Comisión Sectorial de Investigación Científica (Uruguay), the Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET, Argentina) and the iAtlantic Project, funded by the European Union, as well as other institutions in Brazil and Uruguay.
This study highlights the urgency of establishing an international governance framework for cooperation among the countries of the Southwest Atlantic to protect their fishery resources from the effects of climate change. As the research team concludes, “it is crucial to act now to ensure that these vital resources are available for future generations”.
Please access the article here: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marpol.2024.106584
IAI Newsletter 1/25
Discover the Voices of the IAIs Inter-American Network of STeP Fellows
Science diplomacy is transforming the way global challenges are addressed and the different generations of IAI STeP Fellows are proof of this. Since 2020, the IAI Center for Science Diplomacy’s Science, Technology, and Policy (STEP) Fellowship program provides early-stage professionals with the skills needed to apply scientific knowledge in policy and decision making from a transdisciplinary perspective.
Past and current STeP Fellows form an inter-American network with a track record at the science-policy interface that contributes to capacity building in IAI member countries. Through training with recognized experts, the fellows combine their scientific knowledge with experience in international collaborations, with the goal of bridging gaps in the adoption of evidence in decision making in the Americas.
The Center for Science Diplomacy plays a key role in facilitating relationships between different institutional actors and generating synergies for the application of knowledge in research, negotiation and communication of results. Case-based teaching allows STeP Fellows to understand and navigate complex dynamics through the use of practical tools with the goal of better serving their countries.
In the following compilation of their testimonials, current and former STeP Fellows share how the IAI is shaping the future of the region and the world:
Julian Campisi highlights how the Center for Science Diplomacy provides essential tools for applying scientific knowledge to the diplomatic arena, facilitating communication with key actors who do not always have technical backgrounds.
Luz Cumba García highlights the value of this program in bridging gaps between science and diplomacy in Latin America, generating synergies between complementary initiatives.
Sebastián Riera highlights how the knowledge acquired is useful in various professional stages, from the design of applied research to the effective communication of results.
Karen Vega Villa explains how organizations like the IAI amplify the voices of countries in the region, especially those with fewer resources, promoting key negotiations for regional well-being.
Chante Saunders shares how this program broadened her horizons, preparing her to act on the global stage, even without prior experience in science diplomacy.
Asif Iqbal emphasizes that the program’s curriculum is applicable both professionally and in day-to-day negotiations, enabling her to understand and navigate complex dynamics to better serve society.
Amancio Oliveira reflects on the fundamental role of the IAI’s Science Diplomacy Center in Latin America, promoting the international coordination and cooperation that the region needs.
Gabriela Ferreira mentions how learning based on real Latin American and North American scenarios prepares them to apply practical skills in their future careers.
Watch the videos at the following link
These perspectives reflect the transformative impact of the STeP program and underscore its importance as a key driver for institutional strengthening and sustainability in the Americas. The IAI STeP fellows program continues to expand thanks to the support of the host countries, consolidating the strategic role of science diplomacy in the region.
IAI Newsletter 1/25
Challenges of migration in Chile in the face of precariousness and anxiety
A recent study entitled “Perspectives on Resilience and Mourning in the Historical and Current Chilean Migration Context” warns that migrants in Chile face a high level of precariousness that leads to increased anxiety. The research was conducted by Liliana Acero (FCYE/UFRJ), Pablo Zuleta Pastor (FCYE/UBO) and Claudia Dides Castillo (UFRO), with funding from the Inter-American Institute for Global Change Research (IAI) through the Belmont Forum call “Integrated Approaches to Migration/Human Mobility in an Era of Rapid Global Change”.
The study analyzes resilience and migratory grief, two key factors in the integration of migrants in Chile, especially in the Venezuelan and Haitian communities. According to the results, there is a need for an intersectional approach to understand the structural discrimination faced by these populations.
Resilience and grief in migrant integration
One of the main contributions of the study is the distinction between resilience and coping. While coping is an immediate response to stress, resilience involves sustained adaptation. The study identified three resilience strategies of migrants:
- Conservative: Attempt to restore previous stability without major changes.
- Adaptive: Adjustment to new conditions without modifying deep structures.
- Progressive: Significant transformations in the migrant’s life and social environment.
The study highlights that resilience does not depend only on individual effort, but is influenced by factors such as gender, race and social class. In the case of migrant women, job insecurity and vulnerability to gender-based violence are additional barriers to their integration.
In addition, the study analyzes migratory grief, i.e., the psychological impact of migration. Three types of anxiety affecting migrants in Chile are identified: 1) depressive, related to the loss of the family and cultural environment; 2) dufusional, product of culture shock and uncertainty about the future; 3) attack, generated by discrimination and social exclusion.
The impact of Chilean migration policy
Chile has gone from being a country of emigration to a key recipient in Latin America. However, the study warns that the current model is exclusionary. Between 2013 and 2022, Chile received more than 26,000 refugee applications, but only 2.3% were approved. The research also warns that the concept of resilience has been used politically to justify the lack of public integration policies, promoting the idea that migrants can adapt without state support.
Another phenomenon analyzed is deterritorialization and reterritorialization, which describes the process of losing the link with the country of origin and rebuilding identity in a new environment. Without adequate structures, this transition becomes even more difficult for migrants.
The challenge of migrant integration
In a context of growing uncertainty, Chile faces the challenge of deciding whether to view migration as an opportunity for development or not, which will require changes in public policies to better integrate migrants.
Among the recommendations for integration are, first, that the concept of refuge be redefined to include people displaced by economic crises and structural violence. Second, there is a need to strengthen access to education, health and employment, as well as to combat structural discrimination.
The study is available in the IAI Publications repository.
IAI Newsletter 1/25
Register for SRI2025 to learn from leaders, innovators and changemakers
Belmont Forum is inviting researchers, students and other participants to register for the Sustainability Research & Innovation Congress (SRI2025), which will take place on June 16-19, 2025, in Chicago, US, and online. Early bird registration with a discount ends March 15, 2025, after which the fee will have a regular price.
This global event, hosted for the first time in North America, will bring together leaders, innovators, and changemakers from more than 80 countries to address pressing sustainability challenges such as biodiversity loss, resource depletion, and social inequality. Four pathways will be available for participants to follow throughout the conference:
- One Health: Linking human, animal, and planetary health.
- Holistic Solutions: Integrating food, energy, water, and infrastructure.
- Collaborative Decision-Making: Strengthening community partnerships.
- Innovative Tools: Promoting new technologies for sustainable solutions.
With the theme “Shaping a Sustainable Future Through Collaborative Efforts”, SRI2025 offers many opportunities for participants, including an interactive global platform, curated workshops, panel discussions, and public events. Congressgoers will be able to connect with experts, policymakers, and industry leaders, discover innovative solutions and participate in collaborative projects, share regional insights with global impact and forge strategic partnerships.
The SRI Congress series is co-convened by the Belmont Forum, an international funding platform that addresses the world’s most pressing environmental change issues, and Future Earth, an international network of researchers, practitioners and innovators. Its fifth edition marks its first convening in the US, with the the University of Illinois System as the host institution and co-organizer.
For more information about SRI2025, visit: sricongress.org/about-sri2025
To register for the event, visit: sricongress.org/sri2025-registration
