Editorial

From October 4 to 10, the World Space Week celebrates the contribution of space-related science and technology to the improvement of the human condition. The World Space Week was endorsed by the United Nations General Assembly in December 1999. It symbols the anniversary of two milestones in the human exploration and use of outer space: launch of the first artificial satellite, SPUTNIK I, on 4 October 1957, and the Treaty Governing the Activities of States in the Exploration and Peaceful Uses of Outer Space, Including the Moon and Other Celestial Bodies, which was signed on 10 October 1967.

Focusing on the use of science and technology to the improvement of human condition, we as educators have to think of the best way to include Science, Technology and Innovation in the agenda of higher education.  

The Action Plan, designed after the Declaration of CRES 2008, the Regional Conference of Higher Education held last June in Cartagena, Colombia, makes a recommendation to higher education institutions to include an agenda of Science, Technology and Innovation.

The Action Plan aims to encourage regional development by forging an agenda for institutional policies, offering innovative research incentives for professors and students and also creating tools for the development of Science, Technology and Innovation in alliances with other sectors, public and private.

Including Science, Technology and Innovation in our regional agenda of higher education will assist us to achieve some of the Millennium Development Goals. Let's make it happen.


José Renato Carvalho
Director a.i.
UNESCO-IESALC

www.iesalc.unesco.org.ve