2016-07-15
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The Ministério da Ciência, Tecnologia, Inovações e Comunicações (MCTIC) [Ministry of Science, Technology, Innovations and Communications] held the seminar “Brazil-European Union Cooperation in Science, Technology and Innovation: Advances and Opportunities”. On that occasion, the results of an analytical study on 11 joint research projects supported by both partners were presented. The event took place on May 24, in Brasília, and was carried out in connection with the European Union-Brazil Sector Dialogues Support Project, an initiative of the European Union Delegation to Brazil (DELBRA) and the Ministério do Planejamento, Desenvolvimento e Gestão (MP) [Ministry of Planning, Development and Management].
At the opening of the seminar, Ambassador João Cravinho, Head of the EU Delegation to Brazil, praised the cooperation between Brazil and the European Union in the field of science, technology and innovation (ST&I). “This is one of the areas that confer our partnership a strategic nature”, said the Ambassador, when explaining that strategy is defined by its capacity to effect transformation. In this regard, Ambassador Cravinho reminded the attendees that, even during times of crisis, the European Union did not stop investing in this area. “We have been facing very hard times these past years; however, it is the innovation sectors that are boosting our economies, they are the engine that drives our recovery”.
To illustrate the importance given to the ST&I area, Ambassador João Cravinho mentioned Horizon 2020, the largest European Union research and innovation program, which is making available, for the period comprised between 2014 and 2020, funds totalling approximately 80 billion Euros. “Horizon 2020 was a bold proposal. However, we have obtained satisfactory results, and this proves that it has been a wise investment. Governments need to know the potential of this sector”, he pointed out.
In his speech, the Director for Modernization of Public Management, a department of the Ministry of Planning, Luis Felipe Monteiro, highlighted the transforming potential of the Sector Dialogues Project. “This initiative is instrumental in furthering the Federal Government public servants and enhancing the Brazilian capacity for research and development, but it has also contributed to European Union policies. I am certain that the benefits are mutual”, he stated. The Director further highlighted the work carried out by the MCTIC, responsible for coordinating 13 actions in this call. “The MCTIC is one of the government institutions which has participated the most in the Sector Dialogues Project since it started, in 2008”, he added.
MCTIC Secretary for Information Technology Policies, Manoel Fonseca, spoke about the importance of the partnership between Brazil and the European Union and the contribution brought about by the Sector Dialogues Project. “These events have been very successful, and have generated positive dynamics with regards to the relationship among the States. They have also provided guidance and encouraged cooperation at the highest technical level. Over 100 actions have been created under the aegis of the Project”, he said.
In this light, the Director for the Department of Scientific and Technological Themes of the Ministério das Relações Exteriores (MRE) [Ministry of Foreign Affairs], Ambassador Benedicto Fonseca Filho, also praised the role played by the initiative. “The collaboration achieved with the Project is very important, since it touches on themes such as biotechnology, ocean sciences, renewable sources of energy and nanotechnology, critical for countries and societies”.
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