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ATIVIDADES
Reaching Out to Society Programme
Challenges for Science in Contemporary Society
Science, through knowledge, plays a decisive role in the progress of society, contributing greatly to economic development and social well-being.
Pela ciência se criam soluções novas para problemas emergentes e ameaçadores, como o recente surto pandémico de SARS-CoV-2 que levou à rápida mobilização da comunidade científica, cuja capacidade e empenho permitiu a descoberta de novas vacinas que, passados dois anos, evitaram milhões de mortes. Porém, a Ciência, da qual depende a sobrevivência do homem, tem de ser compreendida pela sociedade não apenas no que será legítimo esperar dela, mas também na compreensão dos seus limites (ou se existem limites) no que respeita à criação de conhecimento.
A sociedade necessita de conhecer os valores e as práticas da Ciência capazes de gerar novos conhecimentos que, desejavelmente, contribuirão para uma sociedade melhor informada, mais justa e mais feliz. Tais práticas envolvem custos financeiros que se justificam porque a ciência constitui, através das descobertas que gera, um bem público global de que todos somos potenciais beneficiários e que a sociedade deve auditar num exercício de verdadeira cidadania científica. O Instituto de Altos Estudos da Academia das Ciências de Lisboa, no cumprimento da sua missão, promove, uma reflexão ampla e plural sobre o papel da Ciência na sociedade contemporânea através do diálogo entre investigadores e pensadores de várias áreas científicas e os participantes no Ciclo de Conferências – Desafios da Ciência na Sociedade Contemporânea.
O ciclo “Desafios da Ciência na Sociedade Contemporânea”, organizado pelo Instituto de Altos Estudos como parte do programa “Ao Encontro da Sociedade”, recebeu cobertura do Diário de Notícias.
Interfaces Ciências-Humanidades
Responsabilidade Social da Ciência
Knowing More – Understanding Better Programme
Music and Poetry in Portuguese Culture
Music and poetry are as inseparable as music and language because all languages also have their characteristic intonations - the music of language. In archaic Greek, verse was both a linguistic and a musical reality: "The Greek word had a fixed body of sound, a musical will of its own" (Georgiades). Originally, there would have been only one system of acoustic communication (Rousseau), which only later split into music and articulate language. Bringing the two together again and again, as if in the desire to recover this lost unity, has been a common feature of all cultures since time immemorial. That's why the repertoire of sung poetry is so vast, so diverse and so rich in invention - spanning historical eras and manifesting itself in multiple genres, forms and social practices.
This cycle deals with this valuable legacy in Portuguese culture.
The Tree
The tree, as a biological organism, is a fundamental element for life on Earth. For this reason, throughout human life, the tree has been the subject of reflection by philosophers and theologians and the object of research by scientists. The decisive role that the tree and other representatives of the plant world have played in human nutrition and health since antiquity cannot go unremarked, whether by providing direct food and therapeutic products or by providing material and foundations for the discovery of new ingredients and/or therapies. Examples include traditional medicine using parts of plants, including trees, widely documented in Chinese treatises, by Dioscorides and Garcia de Orta, among others. It is impossible not to find the tree in works ranging from literature to the arts, where it has been a source of particular inspiration. This cycle will focus on the tree, which is responsible for the ecological balance of the earth and man's physical and spiritual well-being.
Basic Sciences for Sustainable Development | IYSSB 2022 – UNESCO
Discovery of the DNA: impact on health, water quality, nutrition and food security
At a time when scientists are urged to develop high technologies, a question immediately arises – What technology can be developed/improved without the contribution of basic sciences? It is impossible to run without putting one´s feet on the ground. Likewise, it is impossible to develop new and reliable technologies without the knowledge derived from basic sciences, including the basic principles underlying the different technologies. However, the universal access to the discoveries made by basic sciences, to new and promising technologies and to the desired progress towards sustainable development, equity and well-being, is far from being achieved.
Considering the need to emphasize the role of basic sciences in technology development and it’s seminal contribution to human development and well-being, the Institute of High Studies of the Academy of Sciences of Lisbon will address the impact of the DNA double helix elucidation, one of the greatest scientific discoveries honoured by the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine in 1962. When this research was performed, no one could imagine what would be the impact on diverse scientific domains, generating the knowledge necessary for the development of technologies relevant to Human health, Agriculture, Biodiversity, Food security, Nutrition and Water quality. This meeting aims at bringing together scientists to illustrate how basic sciences contribute to emerging technologies with impact on sustainable development and human well-being.
Closing of the Year 2022/23
As President of the Institute of Advanced Studies of the Lisbon Academy of Sciences, I would like to take this opportunity, as we close the academic year 2022-2023, to express my profound gratitude to each and every one of you. In particular, I would like to thank our esteemed coordinators and lecturers for making the lecture series of the Ao Encontro da Sociedade and Saber mais Conhecer melhor programmes possible, and Diário de Notícias for the press coverage it has given our initiatives.
Everyone's presence throughout the different sessions demonstrates our commitment to exploring the critical role and transformative power of science and the humanities in shaping society.
We discovered how scientific advances improve our lives, promote innovation and confront us with global challenges.
On the other hand, we have realised how the knowledge we acquire or remember is not just an intellectual activity but has immense potential to promote positive change in communities.
Throughout this year we have learnt that science is not limited to the walls of laboratories and research institutions and that culture is part of and reinforces the common good.
Both sciences and humanities are intertwined with our daily lives, shaping the decisions we make and the world we live in.
From climate change and renewable energies to health innovations and technological advances, science and the humanities are key to a future in which humans can live longer and better without jeopardising the planet and the lives of future generations.
As we conclude these programmes, let me encourage each of you to use the knowledge you have acquired and turn it into sharing and action.
May this sharing of knowledge awaken/reinforce the spirit of curiosity and critical thinking in everyone, whether student, professional or concerned citizen.
Supporting scientific research, getting involved in local initiatives and defending evidence-based policies that prioritise the well-being of society, ultimately has the power to make a difference.
Let's take the spirit of these seminars with us and continue to champion the cause of science and the humanities for society, remembering that both have the power to transform lives, solve global challenges and shape a better future for all.
Together we can build a future where science and the humanities thrive and society flourishes.
Once again, I would like to thank you for your commitment and active participation and for being agents of change.
Next year 2023/2024, from 15 September, we embark on a new journey towards the Society that transcends borders, disciplines and limitations.
We will continue to harness the power of science and culture and the sharing of knowledge, convinced that we will contribute to a more literate society capable of building a better future for each and every one of us.
I wish everyone a safe and happy return.
Many thanks,
Maria Salomé Pais
President of the Institute of Advance Studies
