KNOWLEDGE EXCHANGE WORKSHOP: “Inclusion and equity in innovation processes in Central America”

Central America, August 14, 2024

As part of the implementation of the regional project “Strengthening Inclusive Science and Innovation Systems in Latin America through a Collaborative Network”, coordinated by the Central American Higher University Council (CSUCA) and funded by the International Development Research Centre of Canada (IDRC), the knowledge exchange workshop “Inclusion and equity in innovation processes in Central America” was held with representatives of the 16 research consortia that are currently being implemented within the framework of the first public call for collaborative research project proposals.

One of the main areas of focus is the approach to and implementation of “Inclusive Innovation with a Gender Equity Focus.” In this regard, the CSUCA-IDRC regional project has undertaken actions to encourage, remind, promote, and generate resources so that collaborative research projects incorporate these elements of innovation as a key factor in the design and implementation of each consortium.

The Workshop highlighted the efforts of the projects' research teams to promote actions that combine a diversity of aspects such as convictions, epistemological perspectives, methodological challenges, among other elements developed with the different social actors and people who participate in the innovation process, recognizing the importance of working on inclusive innovation and inclusive innovation with a focus on gender equity.

The focus and depth of the work on both topics varies considerably among the 16 projects. It is within this context that the CSUCA-IDRC Project considers the current progress made, creating a favorable environment for the exchange and collective development of knowledge among the research teams.

The exchange carried out during the Workshop has allowed the sharing of methods, practices used, as well as the strengthening of teams through the exchange of experiences, and at the same time, documenting and systematizing the learnings in inclusive innovation and inclusive innovation with a focus on gender equity of the CSUCA-IDRC Project, achieved up to this point.

Both the results of the Workshop and the expected results of the projects will contribute to the construction of conceptual and methodological frameworks to address inclusive innovation with a focus on gender equity from practice in the Central American region.