The inauguration of the 19^th annual Science Week in Catalonia was held today in the Catalan Parliament. Chairing the event was Núria de Gispert, who highlighted the importance of encouraging scientific talent among youths. Doctor Bonaventura Clotet delivered the inaugural conference where he described the advances in vaccine development for the treatment of AIDS as well as the role Catalonia has played in this specific field.

In addition to Nuria De Gispert, the event was also presided by Minister of Economy and Knowledge, Andreu Mas-Colell, the director of the Catalan Foundation for Research and Innovation (Fundació Catalana per a la Recerca i la Innovació or FCRi) and member of the Parliament’s Advisory Council on Science and Technology (CAPCIT), Enric Claverol, and the president of the Institute for Catalan Studies (Institut d’Estudis Catalans or IEC), Joandomènec Ros.

 

All agreed on the importance of promoting scientific vocation, especially considering the foreseeable demand in researchers throughout Europe in the coming years, according to CAPCIT reports. In this regard, the president also highlighted the fact that the Catalan Parliament is the only regional parliament in Europe with an Advisory Council dedicated to inform Members of Parliament on matters related to science.     

 

Minister Mas-Colell also commended this advisory body, given the importance of specific political decisions necessitating an informed background. He also expressed his “optimism” regarding the future of science in Catalonia, because, despite having personally suffered the “knock” that came with the crisis, the Minister explained how he managed to overcome it thanks to “a system with very proven foundation”.

 

Enric Claverol detailed that Catalonia’s Science Week (14 -23 November) will have more than three hundred activities spread out through Catalonia and will count with the participation of more than one hundred entities.