Progress of Science and Technology in Latin America

Leading scientists from Latin America joined representatives from the U.S. State Department, U.S. Office of Naval Research and U.S. National Science Foundation to discuss scientific and technological investment and collaboration in Latin America at a CSIS conference on Thursday, April 15. The goal of the conference was to increase the U.S. leadership's awareness of the progress of science and technology in Latin America. "A country's ability to adapt to new technology is key to its productivity growth, and productivity growth, in turn, is essential to economic development," said Miguel Diaz, director of the CSIS South America Project. "Latin America is behind the curve in its ability to absorb the changes in technology taking place. To catch up, it will require a new strategic approach and more political and economic commitment."