Advancing Global Food Security: Insights and Innovations from Recent Research Infrastructure Developments

EU-LAC ResInfra Plus Project Workshop Highlights Overview

 

On June 17th, 2024, the inaugural workshop of the EU-LAC ResInfra Plus project convened as part of Work Package 2. This significant event brought together over 75 researchers, managers, and technicians from a multitude of research infrastructures, along with members of the Working Group from more than 25 countries across Latin America, the Caribbean, and Europe.

Opening Remarks

The workshop began with insights from Sabina Guaylupo, Head of the Ibero-American Office at the Spanish Foundation for Science and Technology (FECYT), and Claudia Romano, Work Package 2 leader and Manager of the Uruguayan Agency for International Cooperation (AUCI). They provided an overview of the EU-LAC ResInfra Plus project, detailing the work packages and scheduled activities.

Key Presentations

  • MetroFood Research Infrastructure: Introduced by Judita Klosakova from the Czech Ministry of Education, Youth, and Sport, MetroFood is dedicated to enhancing food quality and safety through advanced metrology services, involving 48 institutes across 18 European countries.
  • Food Security in LAC: Dina Gutierrez of Peru’s Instituto Nacional de Innovación Agrícola (INIA) discussed food security challenges from the LAC perspective, highlighting issues like income inequality and rising food prices affecting vulnerable populations.

Group Discussions

Participants engaged in focused discussions within two subgroups:

  1. Obstacles to International Cooperation: Delved into the challenges between EU and LAC infrastructures, such as access issues, development barriers, and bureaucracy.
  2. Strategic Lines of Work: Explored effective strategies for fostering international collaboration, particularly through advanced infrastructures in the EU that support information sharing.

Closing Remarks

The workshop concluded with a speech by Claudia Romano, who expressed gratitude for the participants’ contributions and the productive discussions.

Stay Connected

For ongoing updates and information about upcoming events and opportunities within the EU-LAC ResInfra Plus project, follow our social media channels.

This reorganization aims to clearly present the key aspects of the workshop in a format suitable for a website, enhancing readability and visitor engagement.

Join the Conversation on Health and Research Infrastructures!

Join Us for a Virtual Event: Shaping the Future of Health and Research Infrastructures


We are excited to invite you to a virtual event on Thursday, July 11, 2024, at 15:30 CET. This is a unique opportunity to engage with experts and discuss the future of health and research infrastructures. This event is part of the EU-LAC ResInfra Plus initiative, funded by the European Union, and organized by the Uruguayan Agency for International Cooperation (#AUCI).

🔬 Are you a researcher, manager, or technician of health infrastructures?
Don’t miss this chance to be part of a pivotal discussion that can shape the future of healthcare and research!

📅 Event Details:
Date: Thursday, July 11, 2024
Event Times by Region:
15:30 PM: Central Europe Summer Time (CEST)
07:30 AM: Mexico, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua
08:30 AM: Peru, Colombia, Ecuador, Panama
09:30 AM: Chile, Dominican Republic, Paraguay, Bolivia, Cuba
10:30 AM: Uruguay, Argentina, Brazil
Mode: Virtual
📲 Click here to join us!

Let’s come together to explore, innovate, and drive forward the health and research infrastructure in Europe and Latin America. Your participation and insights will be invaluable.

First Virtual Thematic Event by the Energytran Project

Join Us for the First Virtual Thematic Event by the Energytran Project

On June 26th and 27th, the Organization of Ibero-American States (OEI) and the Energytran project are hosting a significant virtual event. This event will focus on the technological aspects of energy transformation in Europe and Latin America and the Caribbean.

Event Title:
Strengthening Europe-Latin America Cooperation in Energy Transition: Exploring Innovative Technologies, Policies, and Practices

Expect a comprehensive analysis of emerging technologies in energy transition in Europe and Latin America, along with discussions on innovative policies and practices.

Attending this event will allow you to gain deeper insights into energy transition, network with industry leaders and experts, and participate in meaningful discussions about the future of energy.

The event will take place on June 26 from 16:00 to 20:00 CEST and on June 27 from 16:00 to 20:00 CEST.

Register Here

Conversation on Food Security and Research Infrastructures

EU-LAC ResInfra Plus Conversation on Food Security and Research Infrastructures

We aim to bring together diverse stakeholders in research infrastructures to reflect on the opportunities and obstacles of international cooperation. This workshop invites researchers, managers and technicians of food security infrastructures, fostering dialogue to generate new work lines in bioeconomy, food sovereignty, and agricultural cooperation.

Food Security Focus:

Food security is a priority area identified by the SOM, the EU-CELAC RI WG, and the EU-LAC ResInfra Plus project. It is defined as physical, social, and economic access to sufficient, safe, and nutritious food that meets food preferences and dietary needs for an active and healthy life. This workshop will explore unique and shared challenges in Europe and Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC). Europe focuses on reducing dependencies and sustainable food systems, while LAC tackles economic access and social inequality. Both regions face climate change, food inflation, and health crises.

Importance of Research and Innovation:
Research and innovation are key to addressing food security. The workshop will enhance bi-regional cooperation in agricultural research, sustainable practices, and technology integration. Research infrastructures play a vital role in solving challenges and fostering innovation.

Join us to collaborate, share insights, and develop strategies to strengthen food security and research infrastructures. This platform aims to lead to impactful actions and policies. See you there!!

Event Details:

Date: June 17, 2024

Time: 15:30 PM (CET)

Format: Online Workshop

Registration: Register Here

 

EU-LAC ResInfra PLUS – Kick-off Meeting

EU-LAC ResInfra PLUS Kick-off Meeting

We’re thrilled to announce the successful kick-off meeting of the “EU-LAC Resinfra Plus-Towards a sustainable EU-LAC partnership in Research Infrastructures” project, which took place on February 29th and March 1st in Madrid, Spain.

This project, funded through the European Union’s Horizon Europe research and innovation programme, aims to identify best practices in cooperation between EU and Latin American and Caribbean countries in the field of Research Infrastructures, building upon the achievements of the previous ResInfra project funded by the H2020 program. It also leverages the collaboration established through the Research Infrastructure Working Group within the framework of the JIRI-SOM (EU-LAC Joint Initiative on Research and Innovation – Senior Official Meeting).

Despite significant progress in the sector in recent years, fostering dialogue and collaboration within the LAC region remains crucial. The project emphasizes concrete examples, considering the diverse landscape of Research Infrastructures, management and financing modalities and emerging international challenges in Latin America.

Key pillars of EU-LAC Resinfra Plus include promoting open access, gender equality and facilitating staff exchanges. By addressing these priorities, the project aims to overcome obstacles to the development of Research Infrastructures.

Representatives from a wide range of organizations participated in the kick-off meeting, contributing valuable insights and shaping the project’s trajectory for the forthcoming years. Their collaborative efforts underscore the commitment to strengthening bi-regional cooperation in Research Infrastructures.

The project will have a total duration of two years and involves the participation of Ministries, National Agencies and Research Centres of the European Union countries (Spain, Finland, Germany, Italy, Portugal, Romania, UK) and Latin American and Caribbean countries (Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba, Peru, Uruguay) for a total of 20 partners, including 2 as associates (AP).

We look forward to the impactful outcomes and sustainable partnerships that will emerge from this endeavour.