Regional networks for scientific exchange and collaboration

As part of the actions promoted by the regional project “Strengthening the capacities of science and innovation policy in the member countries of the Central American Integration System (SICA), a presentation of results from the regional networks of scientific exchange and collaboration is being made, which are close to culminating with the expected results in the project.
Within the project, 9 scientific collaboration networks have been formed and strengthened, namely:

• REBAMAR, with the purpose of assessing marine plastic waste in Central America through the formation of a regional research network.
• RED-CIED, formation of the Central American and Caribbean Network for Research in Economics and Development.
• HidroREDCA, creation of a hydrogeological research network to strengthen the preparedness and resilience of the populations of the Central American Dry Corridor to extreme weather events.
• RT-LAMP, an interdisciplinary network for strengthening capacities in Central American countries for the development of a diagnostic test for proactive screening in SARS-CoV-2 virus infection hotspots using technology.
• RECIEC, Central American network for research in critical extension.
• RedCMD, Central American network for the management of epidemiological data.
• RCN, network of researchers for the development of natural sciences.
• Red Free Network, articulation of actors from academia-industry-state for the generation of initiatives for economic reactivation after the COVID-19 pandemic and strengthening of the innovation ecosystem in Central America.
• RIESI, a regional academic network to support higher education inclusion for people with disabilities and social disadvantage in the countries of the Central American and Caribbean region.

The project has been promoted by the General Secretariat of SICA, in conjunction with the Central American Higher University Council (CSUCA) and the International Development Research Centre (IDRC) based in Canada, the National Secretariat of Science and Technology (SENACYT) of Guatemala as the Permanent Secretariat of the Commission for Scientific and Technological Development of Central America and Panama (CTCAP), and the National Secretariat of Science, Technology and Innovation of Panama (SENACYT). The networks have been created and strengthened, and their sustainability is being assessed, with short-, medium-, and long-term goals presented.