Latin American Physicists Weigh In on Funding, Demographics, Potential

Morán-López replies: I thank Azael Barrera for pointing out that the Physical Society of Panama (PSP) was founded in 1980, not 1998. He also explains why the PSP was inactive for the intervening period. The PSP began operations in 1998, the date that I mistook as the founding date. At that time, I was acting president of the Federation of Latin American Physical Societies when the PSP requested affiliation. The PSP is the most recent society to become affiliated with FELASOFI.

Barrera suggests that political arguments and distractions, and the desire of many scientists to look better than their colleagues, are two reasons why the Latin American Physics Network (RELAFI) is not “working as well as expected.” RELAFI is one of five Latin American science networks that are funded primarily through UNESCO. Unfortunately, UNESCO has restricted its financial support, and the networks’ activities have been limited accordingly.

I appreciate Edgar G. Pavía’s point of view since it raises an interesting question: Does the lack of investment in science and technology in some Latin American countries cause poor economic conditions, or is it the other way around? To promote higher levels of education and thus improve overall economic conditions, Latin American countries must first educate a seed group of scientists, who in turn will contribute to a general improvement in education. Such a seed group needs special conditions to flourish, perhaps the most important being strong initial funding of science and technology programs. However, that initial investment has been hindered by the poor economic conditions in some Latin American countries.