Adapting to diverse science culture for Development

by Juan Carlos Canamo

Science Month is a time to highlight the role science and technology play in protecting human health and the environment and reinforce the importance of scientific integrity.
Everyone can play a part. We must encourage young people to explore careers in science, mathematics, and engineering. The possibilities are endless.

Science Month is a chance to further our mission at by showing how important science is in our everyday work. We need to encourage people from all walks of life to rediscover their natural curiosity about the world around them by asking why – a simple question that is at the heart of science.

“Adapting to diverse science culture for development” is a new name that takes on a broader interpretation of "science" to cover scientific research and discovery, as well as the applications of scientific knowledge, engineering and technological innovation.
Millions have seen an apple fall. But Sir Isaac Newton was one of the first to ask “why?”, leading to the theory of gravity.

Today, Science is borderless and multi-disciplinary. Through technology we are able to connect and share scientific knowledge and exchange ideas with the World. Science has indeed taken on a substantial role in our society and the world; impacting the way we live, work and play now and in the future.

We can spark a sense of excitement of Filipinos of every age and from every part of the nation. This includes connecting with the public through blogs, podcasts and demonstrations of the importance of sustainability in our communities, and encouraging our youth to be more involved in science.

Pursuing new knowledge and innovation is the best path toward economic prosperity and the solution to persistent societal problems, from energy security to climate change, and from poverty to disease. Our ability to address the most pressing needs of our times depends upon our resolve to pursue a future shaped by scientific vision and leadership.

As for broader societal dimensions, I turn to the famous seventeenth century Japanese swordsman, Miyamoto Musashi, to express this perspective. He once wrote, "In strategy it is important to see distant things as if they were close, and to take a distanced view of close things ..."

Science and technology create the paths by which we realize those aspirations for all of the world's citizens. That puts us all together in the same boat—steering for the future, with all its uncertainties and its promises.