On October 15th Javier Garcia-Martinez gave an invited talk at the Academia Nacional de Ciencias (Science Academy of Peru) on the role of young scientists in providing solutions to global challenges. The conference, very well attended by members of the Academy, faculty members, and many young scientists and students where held at the Universidad Nacional de Ingeniería (UNI). Javier also presented the GYA to the attendees, its goals and activities and invite them to apply as Peru has no members in the GYA yet. Later, a panel discussion was organized where an open debate was held on topics such as the challenges of the young scientists in the area, the role of the GYA providing a voice to young scholars, and how to be involved in these international activities.

After the presentation, a debate was organized to openly discuss the challenges of young scientists in the area, the role of the GYA providing a voice to young scholars and how to be involved in these international activities.

Beyond this, there was plenary talk at the Congreso Lationoamericano de Quimica (Latin-American Chemistry Conference), which is one of the main scientific meetings in the region. Javier had the great honor and unique opportunity to address the attendees of the Conference in the plenary talk “Providing a Voice for Young Scientists in the Sustainability Debate”. The Ambassador talked about how young scientists had a central role in providing solutions to our global challenges. In the framework of the post-2015 Millennium Development Goals, the audience were asked which the new MDG should be, how their work is contributing toward achieving these goals, and how they see themselves as professionals in 2030.

In addition to that, Javier was invited to talk at the Universidad Nacional Mayor de San Marcos, in Lima Perú, which is the is the oldest university in America and one of the most prestigious in Latin-America. The Ambassador had the opportunity to give a talk to hundreds of students of this university about their role in defining and providing solutions to global priorities.

During conferences, Javier presented the GYA, its goals and activities, mentioning those more closely related to the topic of his presentation.

The full mission report of this YSAP funded exchange can be found here.