organization | areas of intervention

SiW's activities are organized according to the following areas of intervention:

Scientific literacy and proficiency are certainly not the core priorities of developing countries. However, science and technology are fundamental pillars for building modern and independent societies, therefore we believe that projects such as ours go beyond the immediate and recreational results and are a significant help to the development of such countries.

Subjects like Physics, Mathematics and Natural Sciences can be taught in an interactive way, through experimental demonstrations and direct contact, making their understanding easier and fostering the general interest for science. This course of action has the purpose to raise the students' and the population's interest for science and, in addition, to promote experimentation and observation as key components of the teaching and learning process (typically prior to the training of educators).

This area of intervention aims to be a factor in the development of the educational system of developing countries by aiding in the training of educators and teachers and the creation of high quality scientific educational programs and teaching materials, accommodated to the local needs and availabilities.

In the initial phase, as we rely on voluntary work, we put forward short-term, intensive training sessions, but we intend that in the future these initiatives will be long-term. An additional concern is to establish, when possible, a remote monitoring system in order to evaluate the short- and medium-term impact of our actions. We will also attempt to develop these programs in close connection to the local Ministries of Education and/or reputable NGOs.

The goal of this course of action is to facilitate the transfer of technology, existent or to be developed, to populations that need it. Simple and inexpensive technologies to address crippling widespread problems that affect people in developing countries, such as dificient access to potable water or energy sources for domestic consumption.

Whenever possible, we intend that these solutions are to be built locally, contributing to the local economies, both at small and large scales. We believe that the adaptation of such solutions to the local environments, needs and resources is a fundamental aspect to guarantee the success and duration of their implementation.

Finally we are convinced that the introduction of these low technology solutions can be used as means for raising environmental and scientific awareness.

The purpose of this area of intervention is to provide advanced scientific and technical training in developing countries as well as to promote local R&D projects, particularly when they aim the improvement of the quality of life of the local communities (typically projects concerning health, energy, environment etc.) but not disregarding fundamental and basic science.

Specifically we intend to promote:

• Short-term advanced training in topics relevant to the local needs with short- and medium-term impact;
• Bi- or multi-lateral scientific and technical exchange programs between universities, laboratories and other institutions of research and development;
• Creation of thematic scientific networks between countries in distinct development stages;
• Projects whose goal is to establish research and development groups or units in developing countries.

These initiatives should be self-sustained in order to counteract the tendency of dissolution, which generally follows exchange programs between partners with distinct levels of development, and should promote the strengthening of the local infrastructures and skills, instead of promoting the exodus of skilled human resources.