Largest Scientific Event in Latin America Starts This Sunday

The Brazilian Society for the Progress of Science (SBPC) is holding, from this Sunday (26) until next Saturday (1), the 78th annual meeting, considered the largest scientific meeting in Latin America. Around 50 thousand people are expected to participate in more than 250 activities on the campus of the Universidade Federal Fluminense, in Niterói, in the Metropolitan Region of Rio de Janeiro. The theme chosen for this year's event is Science for all: sovereignty, development and inclusion.

According to the director of SBPC, Ana Tereza Ribeiro de Vasconcelos, the choice of the theme is aligned with the vision of science as a tool for transforming society. "This is an extremely important year, with the elections, in which we are thinking about the future. And without science, there is no future that will bring social development, economic development, because science is involved in all areas, from food security to sustainability, health.

And all these areas are covered here", he said. The scientific program will bring around 500 speakers from 23 states, including big names in science. The conferences, round tables and special sessions will cover around 20 thematic tracks, which connect different areas of knowledge to the main theme.

SBPC coordinator, Andrea Macedo, says that the role of the meeting is to promote, provoke, inspire and publicize a better world - Tomaz Silva/Agência Brasil The general coordinator of the event, Andrea Macedo, said that the discussions range from artificial intelligence to the exploration of rare earths. "The SBPC has always had this role of bringing about transformations and debating which country we want. The role of the meeting, more than any other, is to promote, provoke, inspire and disseminate a better world", he stated.

And to live up to the motto Sciences for all, the program includes not only academic activities, but also cultural presentations, exhibitions and spaces for the dissemination of science to the population in general. The rector of UFF, Antônio Claudio Lucas da Nóbrega, reinforces that the campus will be open and all programming is free. "This aspect of population inclusion is fundamental, not only so that people understand the role of science and technology in their daily lives, but can also be sovereign as individuals and contribute to the sovereign country through knowledge", he said.

Within this proposal, three spaces stand out. ExpoT&C with 69 exhibitors, including universities, research institutes and museums to present innovative initiatives. In the area reserved for SBPC Cultural, music, theater and other artistic exhibitions will take place.

The SBPC Jovem tent will promote a large science fair with workshops and interactive activities, aimed mainly at basic education students and teachers. Students and professionals from municipal public schools in Niterói already have a guaranteed presence. Rector of the Universidade Federal Fluminense, Antonio Claudio da Nóbrega, highlights that the inclusion of the population in the event is fundamental for people to understand the role of science and technology in their daily lives - Tomaz Silva/Agência Brasil The highlight of community participation is Family Day in Science, traditionally held on the last day of the meeting, Saturday, when the public will be able to participate in several activities specially planned to bring people of all ages closer to Brazilian scientific production.

The event will also have two spaces dedicated to discussions on gender, diversity and equity and Afro, indigenous and traditional community knowledge. On Monday morning (27), participants will carry out an act against feminicide, reaffirming the scientific community's commitment to combating violence against women. To facilitate everyone's participation, people with disabilities will be able to count on accessibility centers spread across the campus, in addition to resources such as transport cars for people with reduced mobility, materials in Braille and regulation spaces for neuroatypicals.

"Everyone has the right to experience science, practice science and benefit from it. As you have different perspectives, different life stories, complex problems begin to be approached in a broader way."