Xóchitl Gálvez in Dialogue with Mexico's Science Community

During a meeting with representatives from the scientific, technological, cultural, and academic sectors, presidential candidate Xóchitl Gálvez addressed concerns regarding the repeal of the General Law on Humanities, Science, Technology and Innovation (LGHCTI), investment in science and technology, and educational funding. 

Subject-matter experts emphasized the importance of prioritizing science and increase investment, to which Galvez assured  consideration in finalizing proposals encompassing health, science, culture, and education. This commitment aligns with Galvez’s support for academic freedom, university autonomy, and efforts to reduce school dropout rates in Mexico.

Discussions centered on reinstating the goal of 1% of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP), around US$12.7 billion, towards science and technology and strengthening public education funding, with the aim of closing the gap in Mexico's scientific, technological and educational development.

Antonio Lazcano Araujo, Faculty of Sciences Researcher, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM), and scientific community representative during the event, stressed the need to prioritize science as a fundamental pillar in the construction of a modern and equitable society. 

Likewise, representatives from different institutions highlighted their concerns regarding the setbacks suffered by the national scientific field, including the elimination of numerous trusts, questionable reforms to the National System of Researchers, cuts in scholarships, and support, among other aspects.

"The LGHCTI, approved in a controversial manner last year, has generated discontent among the scientific community, being an instrument that does not represent our interests and that diverts the focus towards an ideological agenda distant from the needs of the country," said Lazcano. "It is necessary to adopt an approach more aligned with the principles of openness and security promoted by UNESCO, which guarantee the intellectual freedom of researchers and the development of an ecosystem conducive to research and innovation."

Likewise, Roberto Blancarte, Researcher, Colegio de México, highlighted a lack of investment in science and technology by government entities, pointing it out as a constant concern for the academic community. 

"Compared to countries such as Israel or South Korea, which allocate 5% of their GDP for this purpose, Mexico allocates barely 0.4%," said Blancarte. "This gap reflects the urgent need to reestablish the commitment of allocating 1% of [Mexico’s] GDP to science and technology, a goal repealed with the implementation of the LGHCTI."

Alma Maldonado, Red ProCienciaMx member pointed out that Mexico has ignored its investment in science and technology, warning of the reprisals that neglect in this area could have.

"If nothing changes now, people in the next half century will be destined to low-paying jobs, without any possibility of social mobility and without the tools to face the changes that come hand in hand with technology. Thus, they will experience the era of automation and artificial intelligence in a very bitter way," said Maldonado.

Likewise, she also defended the priority of free public higher education against the proposal by Galvez to implement vouchers to study in private universities. Instead, Maldonado proposes investing in programs that cater to early childhood development, affirming that this stage is critical for the formation of cognitive abilities.

"The State must do everything necessary for education to reach all corners and be public, free, secular and of quality, for this a new vision is required," said Yoloxóchitl Bustamante Díaz, Secretary of Education of Guanajuato. “We need a more functional, better organized and articulated system, that is educating and not only providing instruction.”

In turn, Xóchitl Gálvez assured that the meeting was about listening and considering the opinions of specialists in the finalization of a document, currently in preparation, which will include complete legislative proposals on health, science, culture, and education.

"Science will be the fundamental principle that will fuel our policies across all domains," said Xóchitl. "Whether it is environmental challenges, improving public health, abolishing violence, advancing technologies, or driving economic growth, science will be what guides us to development, growth, and progress."