Science Technology Diplomacy/Distributive Justice

3:10 PM - 3:25 PM JST(6:10 AM - 6:25 AM UTC)

[31q821XY-01] Science Diplomacy, Neuroscience, Technology, and Society: Contributions from a Women-Led Latin American and Caribbean Network to Wellness and Sustainable Development in the Global South

Miriam Argueta⁸, Victoria Cano Colazo⁹, María Castelló², Jorge Gómez¹⁰, *Itala Laurente¹, Lizbeth Murillo^4,7, Sabrina Pighin⁵, Romina Porreca⁶, Perla Berenice Sánchez Reyna³ (1. Universidade Estadual de Campinas (Brazil), 2. Instituto de Investigaciones Biológicas Clemente Estable (Uruguay), 3. Instituto Tecnológico y de Estudios Superiores de Monterrey (Mexico), 4. Universidad Nacional Abierta y a Distancia - UNAD (Colombia), 5. Universidad Nacional del Litoral (Argentine), 6. Municipalidad de San Fernando (Argentine), 7. Universidad Maimónides (Argentine), 8. Universidad de San Carlos de Guatemala (Guatemala), 9. Escuela Interdisciplinaria de Altos Estudios Sociales (Escuela IDAES-UNSAM) (Argentine), 10. Servicio Nacional de Aprendizaje - SENA (Colombia))

Keywords:

Science diplomacy,neuroscience,Latin America,gender equality,Global South,open science

Science diplomacy (SD), a strategic field integrating science, politics, and society to solve global problems through international cooperation, has seen its intersection with neuroscience and technology become increasingly relevant in Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC) and the Global South (GS). The SD, Neuroscience, Technology, and Society Network (DICIENTS), the world's first to link these disciplines from an LAC and GS perspective, aims to address complex social challenges. Its mission is to foster all SD dimensions to improve mental and brain health, advance the right to science, and promote gender equity, thereby achieving the Inner Development Goals (IDGs) and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) during the International Decade of Science for Sustainable Development (IDSSD). DICIENTS is a multidisciplinary community of practice of 73 academics and professionals (64% women) from 17 countries, co-founded by a woman neuroscientist.Preliminary analysis of DICIENTS' impact suggests it has significantly empowered women by fostering an inclusive & diverse, horizontal network. Persistent challenges were identified in integrating underrepresented groups, particularly indigenous women, indicating the need for targeted inclusion strategies. Horizontal interchange proved vital in overcoming gender and geographic limitations, demonstrating how the GS can reduce structural gaps in science and technology while promoting equitable international cooperation from an intersectional perspective. This work concludes by discussing DICIENTS' potential as a scalable model for other GS regions, contributing to the SDGs, IDSSD, and knowledge democratization. The high female representation allows for analysis of women's specific needs in science and diplomacy, ultimately aiming to reverse historical inequalities. Considering the global geopolitical context and its impact on wellness worldwide, this human-centered SD initiative is expected to contribute to a culture of peace.