Silliman University confers honoris causa to National Scientist Edgardo Gomez
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National Scientist Edgardo Dizon Gomez received honorary degree (honoris causa) Doctor of Science from Siliman University for his pioneering works and invaluable contributions to marine biology. The conferment of the degree was held last February 10, 2017 at the Silliman University, Dumaguete City.
A distinguished marine biologist, NS Gomez is recognized for his outstanding pioneering contributions to invertebrate biology and ecology, giant clam culture and restoration, and coral reef assessment and conservation.
He has led pioneering research works on invertebrate zoology, coral reef science and assessment, and invertebrate aquaculture. He steered the world’s first national-scale assessment of damage to coral reefs, which brought widespread concern over the status coral reefs. This led to worldwide conservation initiatives, such as the Global Reefs and Risk Analysis, Global Coral Reef Monitoring Network, and the International Coral Reef Action, among others.
NS Gomez obtained his Bachelor of Arts and BS Education summa cum laude in 1962 from De La Salle University. He earned his MS Biology in 1967 from St. Mary’s University Minnesota, and PhD Marine Biology from the University of California San Diego (Scripps Institution of Oceanography) in 1973. Currently, he is a professor emeritus at the University of the Philippines- Diliman.
Interacademy Partnership (IAP) For Health Workshop on Addressing Inequities in Health: Fostering Action on Social Determinants
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The National Academy of Science and Technology, Philippines (NAST PHL) and the InterAcademy (IAP) Partnership for Health, in collaboration with the Philippine Council for Health Research and Development (PCHRD), the Academy of Sciences Malaysia, the Nigerian Academy of Science, and the University of the Philippines Manila, conducted a two-day workshop entitled “ADDRESSING INEQUITIES IN HEALTH: FOSTERING ACTION ON SOCIAL DETERMINANTS” on October 3-4, 2016 at The Manila Hotel, One Rizal Park, Manila.
The workshop was mainly focused on (1) determining the issues on the social determinants of health (SDH) in light of the social, economic, environmental, and demographic factors within the ASEAN region and (2) formulating recommendations and moving forward interventions with intersectoral collaboration. Representatives from the Academy, national academies of science and medicine in the ASEAN region, private institutions, and government participated in this workshop.
A Call to Address the Challenges of Climate Change and Sustainable Development- International and Local Science Experts
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In the recently concluded Association of Academies and Societies of Sciences in Asia (AASSA)-National Academy of Science and Technology, Philippines (NAST PHL) Workshop and 2016 Climate Conference, the Resolutions Committee of the workshop-conference recommended various actions in addressing the challenges posed by climate change and sustainable development. The international workshop themed on the “Role of Science Academies in Sustainable Development” was held in conjunction with the 5th National Climate Conference on “Addressing Climate Risk for Sustainable Development.”
The 11-point resolution was submitted to Department of Science and Technology’s (DOST) Secretary Fortunato T. de la Peña, and Climate Change Commission’s Secretary Emmanuel M. de Guzman during the closing and awarding ceremonies of the workshop-conference. The resolution recommended that national governments provide adequate financial resources to the national academies and societies of science to carry out their mission, especially in relation to the sustainable development goals (SDGs) proclaimed by the United Nations.
The Resolutions Committee cited the importance of attaining these SDGs by 2030 and emphasized the threat of climate change on the ability of Asian nations in meeting these goals. Specifically, the resolution calls on these nations to:
1. strengthen the participation of national academies and societies of science in the design, implementation, and monitoring of the sustainable development initiatives of Asian countries;
2. foster participation of young scientists in sustainable development research;
3. emphasize and promote multidisciplinary and interdisciplinary research;
4. increase support for climate modeling research to better understand how and to what extent climate change will affect various sectors of society;
5. study the role of financial instruments in helping small holder farmers and fishers adapt to a changing climate;
6. support the academic development of researchers engaged in climate change and sustainable development research;
7. establish a network of learning sites where the impacts of climate change and sustainable development can be monitored in the long term;
8. promote the implementation of science-based climate risk transfer measures, such as weather index-based insurance;
9. intensify and support programs for environmental values and changes in lifestyle for inclusion in school curricula;
10. communicate climate change and sustainable development issues and research findings using print and electronic media to all levels of society; and
11. disseminate scientific knowledge on sustainable development, climate change adaptation, and disaster risk management in appropriate forms to government leaders and policymakers, private sector leaders and all concerned stakeholders.
2. foster participation of young scientists in sustainable development research;
3. emphasize and promote multidisciplinary and interdisciplinary research;
4. increase support for climate modeling research to better understand how and to what extent climate change will affect various sectors of society;
5. study the role of financial instruments in helping small holder farmers and fishers adapt to a changing climate;
6. support the academic development of researchers engaged in climate change and sustainable development research;
7. establish a network of learning sites where the impacts of climate change and sustainable development can be monitored in the long term;
8. promote the implementation of science-based climate risk transfer measures, such as weather index-based insurance;
9. intensify and support programs for environmental values and changes in lifestyle for inclusion in school curricula;
10. communicate climate change and sustainable development issues and research findings using print and electronic media to all levels of society; and
11. disseminate scientific knowledge on sustainable development, climate change adaptation, and disaster risk management in appropriate forms to government leaders and policymakers, private sector leaders and all concerned stakeholders.