With the aim of promoting reflection, debate and discussion on these issues, in addition to promoting cooperation through participation in networks and research centers, the Casa de Bello created this transdisciplinary network. With this initiative, outreach actions will be coordinated to influence public policies and decision-making.
The crisis that the country is going through is not only social. Today Chile is experiencing serious environmental problems marked by low citizen participation in resolutions, overexploitation of territories, water scarcity and the impact of climate change, among other factors. Before this panorama,the rectory of the University of Chile commissioned academics from various disciplines to evaluate which problems require a multidimensional approach to be faced by the university. This is how the Transdisciplinary Environment Program (PROMA) was born, coordinated by the Office of the Vice President for Research and Development (VID).
This initiative will guide its work develop knowledge, reflection, debate and dissemination on the environment, in addition to the high-level training of academics, students, technicians and professionals, to contribute to the development and evaluation of public policies. Likewise, the Casa de Bello seeks to coordinate dissemination actions between the university and society, along with promoting joint cooperation between networks and research centers, in order to carry out transdisciplinary work.
TheVice President for Research and Development, Flavio Salazar, He pointed out that for the University of Chile this was a necessity and an obligation. “We have a commitment to society to work and contribute to issues related to the environment, which today are clearly threatened by undeniable climate change. Therefore, it seems very important to us that this initiative exists and we believe that it will be very successful, given its relevance”, he explained.
TheAcademic Coordinator of the Program, Javier Simonetti, also highlighted the work of the Casa de Bello. “PROMA is another demonstration of our University's commitment. Aware that many of the environmental problems will require transdisciplinary approaches, this program offers a space for such reflection and anticipates exploring new ways of looking at, thinking about, addressing, and solving the country's environmental problems.”, assured.
social and environmental crisis
At the beginning of December of last year, PROMA made a statement stating thatthe country is also going through an environmental crisis due to inequity in access, use and enjoyment of a healthy ecosystem. This is another expression of social injustice in Chile and is part of the demands that citizens demand in the new social pact and that the State must make effective by transforming its institutions.
In the same line,the academic of the Environmental Law Center and member of the network committee, Ximena Insunza, explained the importance that these issues will have in a future pact. "Must ensure that the environment is protected throughout the constitution and not only in a particular guarantee as today. Another fundamental axis is related to natural resources and their use and exploitation. In this sense, the university through all its units and faculties must be a contribution with quality scientific research. The main challenge will be how science and academia communicate with decision makers”, he stressed.
Finally, theprofessor at the Faculty of Agricultural Sciences, Paulina Aldunce, who is also part of the PROMA committee, valued this program as an opportunity. “It is a time when, perhaps more than ever, contributions from science to the entire society are needed in a more direct way, and that does not only go through the traditional systems for disseminating science that are academic frameworks” , hill.
Chile is experiencing serious environmental problems, of which drought and water scarcity are some of the most urgent.
Vice Chancellor Flavio Salazar pointed out that for the University of Chile, the creation of PROMA was a necessity and an obligation.
Javier Simonetti, academic coordinator of the Program, is aware that “many of the environmental problems will require transdisciplinary approaches”Areas of current research include (i) geographic variation on behavior and life histories, (ii) use of marginal habitats within the geographic distribution, (iii) the influence of climatic extremes, including altitudinal and latitudinal ones, and (iv) the influence of environmental adjustments on reproductive behavior and immunocompetence. On laboratory research, we assess operant conditioning behavior and decision making. Our fieldwork research occurs all over Chile.
The member of the PROMA committee, Ximena Insunza, stressed that the protection of the environment must be ensured in the Constitution.
Paulina Aldunce, who is also part of the committee of this network, valued this initiative as a fundamental opportunity at this time.
