Brazilian Academy of Sciences A BRIEF NOTE I am happy to say that, the Academy has deci- eradication of poverty and hunger, thus contrib- sively contributed to the main events that uting for a better quality of life for all. made one of the most productive nations It is worth mentioning that recently the that participate in the scientific development of Academy adopted a proactive posture seek- our globalized world. Among them, the cre- ing to provide solutions to important prob- The Academy ation of our National Research Council and, more lems and aiming to contribute effectively to is committed recently, the creation of the Sectorial Funds that the design of public policies geared to im- substantially changed the Brazilian System of prove the quality of life in Brazil. These actions with the Science, Technology and Innovation (STNI) are conducted by study groups composed by sustainable through quite innovative financial instruments. Academicians and by recognized outstanding development In the international landscape BAS be- specialists whenever needed. came a very significant player taking part in the These contributions address main issues of the planet, main international scientific fora such as the in different strategic areas, reflecting the posi- with social Network of Science Academies (IAP), the Inter- tion of the scientific community related to the Academy Council (IAC), the STS Forum, the process of sustainable development in its inclusion and Academy of Sciences for the Developing World three pillars: economic growth, social inclu- with the Message from (TWAS), the International Council for Science sion and preservation of the environment. The eradication (ICSU) and the World Science Forum (WSF). results have been most appreciated by our so- Altogether, our Academy is deeply com- ciety and, we hope, it might be of interest to of poverty the President mitted not only with the development of Sci- the world as well. and hunger ence, Technology and Innovation in Brazil but With this booklet we provide a glimpse 2 The Brazilian Academy of Sciences (BAS) will soon be 100 years old. also with the strengthening of a global knowl- of our Academy´s multiple activities, both at 3 These years witnessed an enormous advance in Science, Technology edge-based society. In both cases the Academy local and global scenarios. and Innovation in the World as well as in Brazil. is committed with the sustainable development of the planet, with social inclusion and with the Jacob Palis standing scientists in the Brazilian incipient scien- ciety of the importance of BAS, as a unique think tific community. The third period, which started tank, where new ideas could appear and which A Brief History in the early 70´s, was marked by the increasing human capital was fundamental to the Country’s recognition by the Brazilian government and so- social economic development. BAS was founded in May, 1916, in , then the capital of the Federal Republic. It was named Brazilian Society for Sciences and comprised three past future sections (Mathematics, Physical-Chemical Sciences First headquarter New building and Biological Sciences).

The main objectives of the Soci- It is possible to say that the ety were to encourage its mem- history of the Academy can be di- bers to pursue scientific research vided in three periods: from the and to diffuse the notion of sci- foundation to 1951 when the land- ence as a factor promoting pros- mark was the publication of a regu- perity and the development of lar scientific periodical (Anais da Ac- The BAS today the Country. Although support ademia Brasileira de Ciências) that and aid from the government exists until today. The second period were expected, the Academy was was marked by the role of Academy structured as a private, legally in- in influencing the federal govern- 4 dependent organization, respon- ment to create an institutional Picture of the first 5 sible to appoint its own adminis- framework to support scientific ac- headquarter and the new building BAS will trative officers and to draw up its tivities, in disseminating scientific soon occupy own rules. education and recognizing out- Universal health care, water resources and nanotechnology are some of the present concerns of BAS

Mission The mission of the Brazilian Academy of Sciences - BAS is to promote Science, Technology and Innovation in the Country through the recognition of merit of top Brazilian researchers, as well as through the enhancement of scientific activities in all the fields of knowledge.

Recently the Academy adopted a proactive posture seeking to provide solutions to important problems that affect Brazilian society, aiming to effectively contribute to the establishment of knowledge based on national public policies. These contribu- 6 tions derived from specific approaches of different strategic ar- 7 eas based on scientific evidence and on sound methods, thus reflecting the position of our scientific community related to the process of sustainable development. Membership and Organization

Academia Brasileira de Ciências

Rua Anfilófio de Carvalho, 29/3º andar Rio de Janeiro - RJ - 20030-060 Santos Dumont Tel.: 55 21 3907-8100 BAS congregates scientists Full Members are elected by their own col- bers, persons who have rendered conspicuous Fax: 55 21 3907-8101 E-mail: [email protected] www.abc.org.br Suplemento 2009 in ten areas: Physical Sciences, (previous page), leagues in one of the specialized areas. Each services to the cause of National Science. An- Ciências Albert Einstein, de Marie Curie and year Full Members are invited to propose can- other category is Corporate Members, created

Brasileira Mathematics, Chemical Sciences, Carlos Chagas were didates for election as Full and Corresponding for enterprises involved with the Academy ac- Academia

da Earth Sciences, Biological distinguished Novos Membros

anuário Members. New members are annually elected tivities. Finally a newly established category - Af- 2009 Sciences, Agricultural Sciences, members of BAS. anuário da Academia Brasileira de Ciências On the opposite page by the General Assembly, which is the su- filiate Members – was created to incorporate in

capa_membros2009.indd 1 28/04/2009 18:48:52 Biomedical Sciences, the BAS Year Book preme body of the Academy, taking into ac- the membership talented young scientists of Health Sciences, Engineering count the recommendations of the Selection the different regions of the Country, appointed Sciences and Social Sciences. Committee. Among the most prestigious na- by the Regional Vice Presidents, and elected for tional members we may mention Oswaldo Cruz, a period of five years non renewable. Carlos Chagas, Santos Dumont and other The Academy is led by a Board of Direc- personalities. tors composed by a President, the Vice-Presi- Other categories of the membership are: dent, five directors and six Regional Vice Presi- Corresponding Members, foreign scientists who dents. The Board is elected every three years have effectively contributed to the develop- with reelection being allowed. Aside from the 8 ment of Science in Brazil, such as Marie Curie, Board of Directors the institution has two 9 Albert Einstein, Rita Montalccini, Guglielmo Mar- others institutional instances: the Audit Coun- coni Daniel Bovet, Jacques-Louis Lions and Ber- cil, elected for a three years term and the Ad- nardo Houssay as well as Collaborating Mem- visory Council formed by 25 members. The BAS headquarter is located downtown Rio de Janeiro and will soon occupy a beautiful Eclectic style building.

Rio de Janeiro is home of some of the most important Science, Technology and Innovation Institutions in Brazil.

10 11 In order to contribute for the sustainable develop- ment of the Country, BAS created several study groups that are related to the most important issues for our Soci- ety. The present study groups may be classified according to the following areas: Environment, Health, Education and New Technologies. In the environmental area the recent study groups are: Amazon, Water Resources and Global Change. In the field of Health, BAS study groups not only tackled peculiar problems of the developing world, such as neglected diseases, but also addressed issues that are present all over the world, like National & Regional chrono-degenerative diseases. Concerning Education, the present study groups and programs are related not only with Science Education but deals with other general issues Activities and Programs of the Brazilian educational system, covering from early childhood learning processes to graduate courses struc- The most important event of the BAS´ calendar is the Magna Meeting, tures. The Academy is also concerned with questions related which is conveened every May associated to the induction of the new to new technologies and the frontiers of science. Presently members. In this occasion the Academy promotes a three days scientific there are study groups in the areas of Biofuels, Nanomaterials seminar with multidisciplinary and comprehensive themes. and Information and Communication Technologies.

This event is an excellent opportunity for the logical realm. The annual attendance of the The annual attendence of 12 interaction among all members and for their meeting is of circa 600 participants. Another the BAS Magna Meeting is of 13 dialogue with authorities and the high level regular annual meeting is the conference “Prog- circa 600 participants representatives from the private sector as well ress and Prospects of Science in Brazil, Latin Progress and Prospects of Science in Brazil, as representatives of the scientific and techno- America and the Caribbean. Latin America and the Caribbean and Prof. Yuan T. Lee in our Magna Conference’s poster Prof. Goldemberg receiving a prize from the hands of the Prime Minister of India, Mr. Singh BAS being and below Prof. Palis represented in representing the BAS International Fora at the STS Forum

The Brazilian Academy was one of the sponsors meeting, along with the Academies of China, of the creation of one of the most prestigious India, Mexico and South Africa. International Relations international organizations involving Science Apart from the institutional participation in Academies: IAP (the Global Network of Science the above mentioned organizations, members BAS is an active participant in some central Academies) and its subsidiary bodies: IAC (In- of the Academy are quite active in the Academy international organization in the area of Science ternational Council for Sciences) and IAMP (In- of Sciences for the Developing World (TWAS) and Technology. It is the National Representative teracademy Medical Panel). and the Science and Technology for Society Fo- at the International Council for Science (ICSU) Our Academy also participates in the pan- rum (STS). At the Regional level BAS is part of In- 14 el of Academies that plays the role of an advi- teramerican Network of Science Academies 15 and a member of the World Science Forum (WSF) sory group for the G8+5 head of states annual (IANAS) and hosts the Regional office of TWAS. Steering Committee. Publications National Science and Technology Prize: Álvaro Alberto medal, and Communication L’Oréal Grant for Women in Science Prize and The Ernesto Illy Trieste The Academy has a refereed journal published since Science Prize 1929 without interruptions - Anais da Academia Brasileira de Ciências - and a journal dedicated to Antarctic research: Pesquisa Antartica Brasileira.

The Academy publishes also a series named Science and Technology for the Na- Awards & Medals tional Development: Strategic Studies that disseminates the results of the work of the Study Groups. BAS is one of the sponsors of some significant prizes The Academy also publicizes its activities through an electronic weekly newsletter. in environmental and gender related issues such as In the homepage of the Academy the The Ruschi Prize for Ecology and the L’Oréal Grant contributions of speakers or partici- for Women in Science , respectively. pants in all meetings are available.

The Brazilian Academy of Sciences Conrad Wessel Foundation Award. also participates in the jury of im- At the international level, the Acad- portant national Science prizes emy nominates Brazilian scientists 16 Neglected Diseases, like the National Medal of Science for many remarkable scientific 17 Early Childhood & Technology (Alvaro Alberto), the prizes, such as Mexico Prize, TWAS Education, Amazon and Basic Education Moinho Santista Prize and the Prize and Ernesto Illy Prize. in Science World Science Forum 2013 BAS welcomes you in November 2013

Together with other emerging countries, Sci- The BAS concentrates the most talented sci- ence in Brazil has experienced great progress in entists in the country and therefore, has a very recent years. At the same time, the Brazilian unique ability to mobilize exceptional researchers Academy of Sciences has been playing an im- in the most various areas of knowledge, reason portant role in the international scenario, for the the Academy has been appointed to contribute past few years and with a strong support from and coordinate the efforts in promoting the World Statue of the the Ministry of Science, Technology and Inno- Science Forum 2013. Christ Redeemer, vation, representing with great emphasis Brazil- It has been an honor and a privilege for the ian science in the main scientific organizations Brazilian Government and for the Brazilian Academy one of the most and forums. of Sciences, to have been chosen to host, for the first important symbols Due to these positive achievements, BAS time, the World Science Forum in a country other of Rio de Janeiro has been chosen by the Hungarian Govern- than Hungary. BAS looks forward to work along with ment, through the Hungarian Academy of Sci- the Hungarian Government and deliver a successful 19 ences, to host the next World Science Forum, to meeting, such as the Hungarian Academy of Sci- take place in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, in 2013. ences has been doing for the last eight years. Contact Information

Marcia Graça Melo [email protected]

Gabriella Fialho de Mello [email protected]

Fernanda Wolter [email protected]

Office Address Academia Brasileira de Ciências Rua Anfilófio de Carvalho, 29 - 3º andar 20030-060 - Rio de Janeiro - RJ Brasil Phone + 55-21-3907-8100 Fax + 55-21-3907-8101 www.abc.org.br

Academia Brasileira de Ciências

@ABCiencias

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