Här kommer en rapport från Innovations- och forskningsrådet på svenska ambassaden i Brasilia (OSI-Brasilia) i Brasilien. Texten är skriven av Ana Carolina Bussacos,  Head of Section på OSI-Brasilia som berättar om några "highlights" och kommande aktiviteter inom det svensk-braslianska partnerskapet.

Manaus with Chalmers, CNPEM and INPA

Brasília October 2024

From workshops in the Amazon to visits focused on energy, the Office of Science and Innovation (OSI) Brasília’s efforts are paving the way for partnerships and innovations. This is one way for OSI-Brasilia to promote Swedish solutions for the green transition. Here are some highlights of the recent activities and upcoming events in the Sweden-Brazil partnership.

12th Sweden Brazil Innovation Week (SBIW)

Scheduled from November 11 to 14, the event will kick off in Florianópolis, with additional activities planned in São Paulo. We expect a Swedish delegation led by State Secretary Sara Modig, high-level authorities from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Defense, Air Force, Industry, Universities, Funding Agencies, Research Institutes, and Startups.

Showcasing Success Stories: Participants will have the opportunity to learn from successful case studies and best practices in innovation. It includes presentations from leading Swedish and Brazilian companies and institutions that have made significant strides in their respective fields.

Future Collaborations: The event will catalyze new collaborations and partnerships. By bringing together a diverse group of stakeholders, the Innovation Week will help identify common goals and opportunities for joint initiatives.

Overall, the Sweden-Brazil Innovation Week 2024 is an exciting and impactful event, fostering a spirit of cooperation, and driving forward the innovation agendas of both countries.

Programme Sweden-Brazil Innovation Week 2024

Biodiversity and green transition

The Office of Science and Innovation (OSI) Brasília has been actively involved in several important events and initiatives, fostering international cooperation, and advancing scientific knowledge with the final aim to enhance collaboration in ecological transition (green transition in Brazil). OSI-Brasília participated in the VI Biodiversity for Accelerating the Transition to a Sustainable Bioeconomy (IBSB) Workshop in Manaus, Amazônia. The event was organized by the Brazilian Center for Research in Energy and Materials (CNPEM), and the National Institute of Amazonian Research (INPA) with Chalmers researchers as keynote speakers. This event aimed to strengthen ties between Swedish and Brazilian researchers, enhancing scientific knowledge and laying the groundwork for future collaborations. These seminars and technical visits are crucial for understanding international partners’ research, objectives, and resources before embarking on major projects. The focus was on understanding the opportunities of using biodiversity to find a “perfect” enzyme to process biomass more efficiently.

For more details, you can check out the event on Linkedin 

Green transition future partnership

Energy Agency and Petrobrás_678x414px72dpi68KB.jpg
Energy Agency and Petrobrás

Energimyndigheten came to Brazil at the end of September to participate in the Clean Energy Ministerial and Mission Innovation events. Despite the busy schedule, OSI Brasilia organized a strategic visit to Rio de Janeiro. The first stop was the Petrobras Research Centre, a company that has won the largest award for the oil and gas industry in the world five times. At the meeting, strategies were presented about the energy transition, mainly linked to hydrogen, industrial processes, decarbonization, and, above all, international partnerships. The second visit was to the Energy Research Office (EPE). EPE is an agency that supports the energy policies of Brazil's Ministry of Mines and Energy (MME) with studies and research into energy planning covering electricity, oil, natural gas, and its derivatives and biofuels. Much was discussed, especially about the possibility of bilateral calls and the mobility of specialists. Finally, the visits culminated in a very productive conversation with Finep. Finep is a funding agency linked to the Ministry of Science, Technology, and Innovation that is already part of the cooperation with Sweden. An important moment for Energimyndigheten to present its programs, especially the CETPartnership. The Brazilian Agency also presented their initiative. This is the first time the agencies have come closer together, so further dialogue will be planned to find synergies and future collaborations.

The 5th National Conference on Science, Technology, and Innovation (5ª CNCTI)

The 5th Brazilian National Conference on Science, Technology, and Innovation (5ª CNCTI) was held in July was particularly significant for several reasons:

  • Revitalization After a Long Hiatus: This conference marked the return of a national dialogue on science, technology, and innovation after a 14-year break. It provided a much-needed platform for stakeholders to come together and discuss the future of ST&I (Science, Technology and Innovation) in Brazil.
  • Broad Participation and Inclusivity: The event involved over 70,000 participants through more than 200 preparatory sessions held across the country. This extensive engagement ensured that a wide range of perspectives and ideas were considered.
  • Strategic Policy Development: One of the main goals was to develop the National Strategy for Science, Technology, and Innovation for the next decade. This strategy aims to guide Brazil’s ST&I policies and investments until 2030, addressing key areas such as reindustrialization, innovation in businesses, and social development.
  • Launch of the Brazilian Artificial Intelligence Plan: A highlight of the conference was the launch of the Brazilian Artificial Intelligence Plan (PBIA), which aims to position Brazil as a leader in AI technology. This plan includes significant public investments and aligns with global standards.
  • Focus on Sustainability and Human Rights: The conference emphasized the importance of aligning technological advancements with values such as sustainability and human rights. This approach ensures that the development of ST&I benefits society.

Overall, the 5ª CNCTI was a pivotal event for shaping the future of science, technology, and innovation in Brazil, fostering collaboration, and setting a strategic direction for the coming years. Moving forward, we can expect the launch and implementation of the STI National Strategy, the execution of the Brazilian Artificial Intelligence Plan, and a continued focus on open science, public communication, and addressing social and environmental challenges.

Internship Opportunity in Science Diplomacy with Sweden and Brazil

Are you a university student passionate about science diplomacy? If so, this is an incredible opportunity for you! This internship will immerse you in the realms of innovation, research, and higher education. What you’ll be doing:

  • Participating in bilateral meetings
  • Communicating with our stakeholders
  • Organizing events
  • Reporting on key issues affecting the bilateral relationship

What we’re looking for: Knowledge of research, innovation, and science in Sweden (a plus)

Don’t miss out on this chance to be part of a dynamic and impactful partnership:

https://web103.reachmee.com/ext/I003/584/job?site=23&lang=SE&validator=2b41f37f0378555ced5f5b5c9c22d00e&job_id=13322 .

If you want to know more about the internship, contact Sten Engdahl on sten.engdahl@gov.se.

Ana Carolina Bussacos in brief

Ana Carolina is a Biologist and Journalist with Doctoral degree in molecular pathology. During her professional life she worked in science and innovation institutions as the University of Brasilia and the Brazilian Institute of Information on Science and Technology (Ibict). Ana is working at OSI-Brasilia since 2018 firstly as advisor and now as Acting Head of Section.

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