Date: June 2026
By: Prof. Dr. Marco A. Cabero Z. Chair, Andean Road Countries for Science and Technology
Introduction
Sustainable development depends on building interconnected systems that grow knowledge, drive innovation, increase institutional resilience, and encourage societal participation.
Just as durable infrastructure is built through carefully integrated components, sustainable progress depends on a robust scientific culture embedded across society.
SCC provides a clear roadmap for embedding scientific culture as a foundational pillar of sustainable development.
SCC systematically integrates scientific values, practices, and thinking into education, research, policy, industry, and civic life, transforming science into a societal asset that informs decisions, drives innovation, and expands opportunities.
By strengthening scientific culture, societies enhance their capacity to:
- Generate and disseminate knowledge
- Foster research, innovation, and entrepreneurship
- Support evidence-based policymaking
- Accelerate economic and technological development
- Improve resilience to environmental, health, and social challenges
- Advance the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
From Concept to Practice: Demonstrated Impact
Since 2018, the Andean Road Countries for Science and Technology (ARCST) has been advancing the implementation of Science Culture Construction across Latin America and, increasingly, other regions of the world.
The SCC approach has been supported by universities, research centers, governmental institutions, private-sector organizations, civil society groups, and international partners. These collaborations have demonstrated that strengthening science culture can produce measurable educational, social, and institutional outcomes.
Key examples include:
| Initiative | Impact |
|---|---|
| Biopochito AI | An educational platform reaching more than 100,000 students across 10 countries in Latin America, Africa, Asia, and Europe, promoting science literacy and environmental awareness. |
| Bolivian Declaration on Science and Climate Literacy (2022) | A regional reference framework for science communication, climate education, and public engagement, promoted by ARCST and JLASC. |
| International scientific and policy dialogues | Contributions to World Green Science Day and the UN STI Forum, bringing together scientists, policymakers, educators, industry leaders, and security institutions. |
These cases show that investing in science culture is a powerful strategy to strengthen national and regional development.
A New Paradigm for Development
Traditional development models focus on infrastructure, technology transfer, or economic growth in isolation. SCC offers a complementary approach: building the cultural and institutional conditions for societies to generate, adopt, and benefit from scientific knowledge in the long term.
Scientific culture is an enabling infrastructure that increases society’s capacity to absorb innovation, respond to challenges, and participate in the knowledge economy. Research shows that countries with stronger investments in science education, research ecosystems, and public engagement tend to exhibit higher levels of innovation, productivity, environmental stewardship, and social resilience.
SCC repositions science culture as a main driver of development – not a byproduct, but a prerequisite.
Alignment with International Frameworks
The Science Culture Construction framework is fully aligned with the objectives of the UNESCO International Decade of Sciences for Sustainable Development (2024–2033) , which calls for science that is excellent, inclusive, accessible, and responsive to societal needs.
Both SCC and the Decade are grounded in a shared principle:
Access to science is a fundamental human right.
This principle is recognized in Article 15 of the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights , which affirms that:
“Everyone has the right to enjoy the benefits of scientific progress and its applications.”
Despite this recognition, significant barriers continue to limit access to scientific knowledge and opportunities. Geographic isolation, linguistic barriers, economic inequality, and disparities in educational resources prevent millions from fully participating in scientific progress.
Science Culture Construction addresses these barriers by striving for broad, equitable access and effective engagement in all parts of society.
Building a Global Community of Practice
What began as a regional effort in Latin America has evolved into an expanding international network of collaboration.
Through partnerships with institutions in Africa, Asia, Europe, and the Americas , SCC is fostering a global community of practice dedicated to advancing:
- Science literacy and research collaboration
- Innovation and biodiversity conservation
- Climate action and sustainable development
This movement is united by one aim: making scientific literacy and participation essential to building stronger, resilient, and sustainable societies.
Invitation to Collaborate
We invite researchers, educators, students, policymakers, institutions, private-sector partners, and civil society members to actively participate in Science Culture Construction initiatives.
We invite you to join us in advancing:
- Science literacy and public engagement
- Research and innovation ecosystems
- Green science and climate action
- Biodiversity conservation
- Evidence-based decision-making
- Sustainable and inclusive development
Together, we can take meaningful action to strengthen society’s cultural foundation and ensure everyone harnesses the full potential of science now and for future generations.
Contact us to explore partnership opportunities, propose new initiatives, or inquire about current projects.
References
Bucchi, M., & Trench, B. (2014). Routledge handbook of public communication of science and technology. Routledge.
Cabero, M. A. (2023). A new blueprint of collaboration: The Science Culture Construction fostering innovation and green development. Journal of Latin American Sciences and Culture, 5(8), 99–109. https://doi.org/10.52428/27888991.v5i8.1075
Cabero, M., Pérez, J., Ojeda, M. L., Zhang, Z., Lim, T., Hashmi, I., Liu, Z., de Castro, D., Montoya, G., & Wade, D. (2024). Enhancing science and climate literacy in Latin America and the Caribbean. Journal of Latin American Sciences and Culture, 6(9), 15–21. https://doi.org/10.52428/27888991.v6i9.1206
Canencio, J. G. P., Solarte, M. L. O., Burbano, D. F. C., Terán, C. A. R., & López, A. O. (2022). Course-awareness workshop on climate change: Expected learning results that each participant must acquire. Journal of Latin American Sciences and Culture, 4(6), 61–67. https://doi.org/10.52428/27888991.v4i6.361
de la Quintana, J. C. R. (2022). The Bolivian declaration on science and climate literacy. Journal of Latin American Sciences and Culture, 4(Special Issue), 34–36. https://doi.org/10.52428/27888991.v4iSpecial-Issue.211
Miller, J. D. (2004). Public understanding of, and attitudes toward, scientific research: What we know and what we need to know. Public Understanding of Science, 13(3), 273–294. https://doi.org/10.1177/0963662504044908
National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. (2016). Science literacy: Concepts, contexts, and consequences. National Academies Press. https://doi.org/10.17226/23595
UNESCO. (2021). Media and information literate citizens: Think critically, click wisely! Part 1: Curriculum and competency framework. UNESCO. https://www.unesco.org/mil4teachers/sites/default/files/medias/fichiers/2023/10/Part_1_CI%20MIL_CURRICULUM.pdf
United Nations General Assembly. (1966). International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (Treaty Series, Vol. 993, p. 3). https://www.ohchr.org/en/instruments-mechanisms/instruments/international-covenant-economic-social-and-cultural-rights
United Nations General Assembly. (2015). Transforming our world: The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development (A/RES/70/1). https://sdgs.un.org/goals
UNESCO. (2023). UNESCO International Decade of Sciences for Sustainable Development (2024–2033). https://www.unesco.org/en/decades/science
Contact
For additional information about Science Culture Construction, please visit our website or contact us at: editorial@journalasc.org
Andean Road Countries for Science and Technology (ARCST)
Journal of Latin American Sciences and Culture (JLASC)