From October 24 to 25, members of the Philippine-American Academy of Science & Engineering (PAASE) will meet and discuss the ways in which science, technology, and innovation can help improve Filipino lives.
PAASE is a 230-strong organization of scientists and engineers of Filipino descent in the United States, Europe, Australia and Asia. During this two-day summit, which will take place at the University of the Philippines Diliman, PAASE’s scientists and engineers will talk about how they can support the implementation of the Philippine Development Plan 2017-2022. They will also discuss how they can contribute to the realization of the AmBisyon Natin 2040 initiative from the National Economic Development Authority (NEDA).
What is AmBisyon Natin 2040?
Simply put, AmBisyon Natin 2040 is a wide-scale, long-term plan designed to guide development planning from now until 2040. NEDA describes it as such:
AmBisyon Natin 2040 represents the collective long-term vision and aspirations of the Filipino people for themselves and for the country in the next 25 years. It describes the kind of life that people want to live, and how the country will be by 2040. As such, it is an anchor for development planning across at least four administrations.
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AmBisyon Natin 2040 is the result of a long-term visioning process that began in 2015. More than 300 citizens participated in focus group discussions and close to 10,000 answered the national survey. Technical studies were prepared to identify strategic options for realizing the vision articulated by citizens. The exercise benefitted from the guidance of an Advisory Committee composed of government, private sector, academe, and civil society.
AmBisyon Natin 2040 is guided by a single core message: Matatag, Maginhawa at Panatag na Buhay (“a strongly rooted, comfortable, and secure life”).
In 2040, we will all enjoy a stable and comfortable lifestyle, secure in the knowledge that we have enough for our daily needs and unexpected expenses, that we can plan and prepare for our own and our children’s future. Our family lives together in a place of our own, and we have the freedom to go where we desire, protected and enabled by a clean, efficient, and fair government.
Science towards socio-economic development
As Dr. Gisela P. Concepcion, PAASE Meeting Chair, explains: “In the spirit of constructive volunteerism, we would like to deliver how science, technology, and innovation can be the major driver for socio-economic development.”
The two-day gathering is a follow-up to PAASE’s meeting at the University of Arizona earlier this year. It will consist of simultaneous meetings of research groups funded by local and foreign collaborators. Afterwards, the PAASE members will submit their position papers, which will focus on empowering academics and research and development (R&D) in universities, to the executive and legislative government branches.
NEDA Secretary and PAASE member Ernesto Pernia will also deliver his keynote speech on the first day of the summit.
“PAASE, as a scientific and engineering academy, was founded on the principle of intercontinental and global cooperation in science and engineering against a backdrop of national development. As such, PAASE members connect with minds globally, create value through impactful innovation, and contribute to improving lives through innovation,” according to PAASE president Dr. Joel Cuello.
PAASE has made key contributions to Philippine science and technology legislation. One example is Executive Order 586 , s. 2006, which established UP Diliman’s National Science Complex.
Reference
- Official PAASE press release.
- http://2040.neda.gov.ph/about-ambisyon-natin-2040/
- http://www.neda.gov.ph/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/Abridged-PDP-2017-2022_Updated-as-of-01052018.pdf
Author: Mikael Angelo Francisco
Bitten by the science writing bug, Mikael has years of writing and editorial experience under his belt. As the editor-in-chief of FlipScience, Mikael has sworn to help make science more fun and interesting for geeky readers and casual audiences alike.
