National Month of Science, Technology and Innovations will have its first edition in October

For the next few days, a series of activities are scheduled to disseminate science and technology and make them increasingly accessible to the population.

Technology, Picture by Gerd Altmann

October became the National Month of Science, Technology and Innovations. The date, which will now be celebrated every year, was established by Decree No. 10,497 / 2020.

And in the first edition of the date, a series of activities, programs and lectures are scheduled, throughout the country, in the next 30 days, with the objective of disseminating science and technology actions and making the subject increasingly accessible to the population. The idea is to inspire the whole family, especially children and young people, thus promoting improvements in people's quality of life.

“This scientific proximity to the population, especially young people, is important for them to see in science a vision of their future, the possibilities that lie ahead,” said Minister Marcos Pontes.

"It is no use having the greatest equipment on the planet if we do not have young people interested in science and technology if we do not have the population aware of what happens with science and technology, how it can improve their lives", he stressed.

The date also wants to promote the debate on the importance of scientific impacts worldwide. The minister pointed out that, this year, with Covid-19, science and technology have overcome barriers and are closer to the population.

“A situation like that at COVID is the critical situation that we have to deal with now. We see the need for science as the only weapon to overcome this enemy, which is the virus itself, be it in the production of medicines, vaccines, tests and to get to know this disease so that we can better protect our population, the population of the planet as a whole ”, added Marcos Pontes.

José Reis Award for scientific and technological dissemination

And to mark the National Month of Science, Technology and Innovations, this Friday (2), the José Reis Award for Scientific and Technological Disclosure was presented, a recognition to journalists, researchers, writers and institutions that contribute to the dissemination of Brazilian science. The winner is journalist Carlos Fioravanti, from the São Paulo State Research Support Foundation. The award is an action of CNPQ, the National Council for Scientific and Technological Development.

National Science and Technology Week

Traditionally held in October, the National Week of Science and Technology is in its 17th edition and has the theme "Artificial Intelligence: The New Frontier of Brazilian Science".

Especially in the year 2020, because of COVID -19, the event will be eminent via the internet, and accessible through MCTI channels to the whole country and abroad. The week takes place from 17 to 23 October.

The Week is held by the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovations in partnership with state and municipal departments, development agencies, teaching and research institutions, scientific societies, schools, companies and civil society entities.