In which country we want to live?: the painful financial support for science
What are we waiting for to get out of this marasmo? As is commonly said, neither in times of fat cows nor in skinny cows the percentage of GDP we devote to investment in these areas has changed significantly and we remain last on the list of OECD member countries (0.37%)
Just last Tuesday, the Senate Committee on Future Challenges, Science, Technology and Innovation conducted an analysis of science resources in the 2019 Budget Bill. Outside of the member senators, vice-chancellors of research from several universities and invited scientists participated. It was distressing to hear the discussion and widespread regrets about the disinterest of all governments for supporting knowledge generation in the country; are decades of stagnation in areas where there is consensus on their importance to our development and well-being.
What are we waiting for to get out of this marasmo? As is commonly said, neither in times of fat cows nor in skinny cows the percentage of GDP we spend on investment in these areas has changed significantly and we remain last on the list of OECD member countries (0.37%).
"Our President Piñera has been very angry about it. Around this same time (El Mercurio, 29 June 2014), at the beginning of President Bachelet's second term, asked us which country do we want to live in? Her response was infphased in relation to the new knowledge society, which is generous to the countries that want to assume it. Strengthening investment in science and technology was one of its five pillars for development. On a second occasion, Last June's Presidential Message, he stated that "it's time to get on the shoulders of giants" and look further and ask ourselves the same question about the country we want to live in."
Our President Piñera has been very angry about it. Around this same time (El Mercurio, 29 June 2014), at the beginning of President Bachelet's second term, asked us which country do we want to live in? Her response was infphased in relation to the new knowledge society, which is generous to the countries that want to assume it. Strengthening investment in science and technology was one of its five pillars for development. On a second occasion, Last June's Presidential Message, he stated that "it's time to get on the shoulders of giants" and look further and ask ourselves the same question about the country we want to live in.
The latest available figures (2016, Ministry of Economy) indicate that companies contribute 36% to R&D financing, equivalent to 0.13% of our GDP, compared to 1.5% of the OECD average, twelve times lower. This shows that companies must play an important part in solving the problem that is in our way.
Science is not one of the issues that interest citizens the most, however it is a result of society and for society. If we want to have the right to imagine and live a better world, we clearly have to invest in it, but it is everyone's task.
