Introduction

- Good afternoon. I would like to thank UNESCO and the Hungarian Academy of
Sciences for the opportunity to speak to you today. Its a great privilege to be
able to be a part of this event.
- My name is Jess Hurtado; I have served as a member of Perus Congress since
2011, and have been a member of the legislative Science, Innovation, and
Technology commission since 2012, when I served a year as commission chair.
- Today I would like to share our experiences working within the legislative branch
to promote science, innovation, and technology on four levels: reflection,
support for leadership and governance, parliamentary policy control, and
formation of a critical mass.

2 million hectares of the Andes lie waste, crushed by frost and deforestation.
1. In the Peruvian Andes, at an elevation of more than 3500 metres above sea level,
2 million hectares of land lie waste, crushed by frost and deforestation.
2. The same area receives some 80 billion cubic metres of rainfall 60-90% runs off
through rills and watercourses, causing soil erosion and providing no benefits.
3. In 2000, this situation affected the community of Masajcancha, which lies at an
elevation of 3600 metres in Central Peru.

Is change possible? Masajcancha became and oasis in the Andes. It is possible in

Peru. It is possible around the world.
4. Masajcancha changed. The land was changed from eroded, stony, and
unproductive wasteland, into oasis in the Andes.

One man launched this change using science, innovation, modern technology, and
ancestral Andean knowledge
5. Csar Dvila, an agricultural engineer trained at one of the countrys most
prestigious universities, returned to Masajcancha and initiated this change fifteen
years ago.
6. He took 20 hectares of frostbitten wasteland and implemented an Andean
technology known as sowing and reaping water.
7. Andean farming tools known as chaquitaklla were used to open infiltration
channels, and terraces, stone platforms, and small reservoirs to hold filtered water
were built.
8. Together, the community of Masajcancha and Csar Dvila succeeded in
managing rainwater and ending the erosion that was destroying their soils.
9. They developed organic crop rotations and planted copses and tree windbreaks
to create benign agricultural micro-climates.

Science, innovation, and technology can change our communities, our countries,
and our world, but require leadership.
10. Masajcanchas former wastelands now produce barley, potatoes, turnips,
quinoa, Andean root vegetables, linseed, herbs, and mushrooms.
11. The programme increased water availability and stabilized temperatures,
reduced erosion, captures carbon, and generates jobs and income.
12. In the 90s, President Alberto Fujimoris Sierra Verde programme estimated that
within 5 years it would be possible to retain 10 billion cubic metres of rainwater.
13. The programme was abandoned by subsequent governments. Change through
science, innovation, and technology requires sustainable leadership.

In the Legislative Branch, we empower leadership by the body that promotes

science, innovation, and technology.
14. The first objective of the Science, Innovation, and Technology Commission
was to empower CONCYTEC and its chair, Gisella Orjeda.
15. One result was a sevenfold increase in CONCYTECs annual budget between
2011and 2015 (from USD 5 million to USD 38 million)
16. USD 513 million have been earmarked for grant applications, to fund science,
innovation, and technology projects.
17. Concytec now invests USD 230 million in postgraduate study funding for
tomorrows leaders, at 150 of the worlds best universities.
18. As in Masajcancha, we believe that leadership must be strengthened. Our
goal is to form a Ministry of Science, Innovation, and Technology.

The myth of Quero-Cusco tells how the Creator (Taytanchis) asked his three sons to
show ayni (reciprocity) with their inheritances.
- The triple helix is formed by Llankay, meaning hardworkingsness (nowadays the
private sector and/or community); Yachay, meaning knowledge (academia), and Munay,
which means will and decisiveness (the State).
19. Our second goal in the Commission was to promote synergy between the private
sector/ communities, academia, and the State, replicating the experience of
Masajcancha.
20. Science, innovation, and technology must be developed and applied to solve the
problems that face companies, communities, and the country as a whole.
21. Thus, the first law that we passed (Law 29,987) was to promote public-private
partnerships for science, innovation, and technology.
21. Our next law (Law 30,008) was for the State to give recognition to Peruvian
researchers. We created the Santiago Antnez de Mayolo Prize.
22. However, the flow of knowledge must be made more dynamic. With Law 30,035 we
strengthened use of open access data for science, innovation, and technology.
23. For the private sector, we passed laws 30,018 and 30,078 to promote technology
transfer with patent information and industrial parks.
7

There are questions remaining to be answered regarding policy management for

science, innovation, and technology

24. Much remains to be done, but a major step forward was made in 2011, with the
creation of a congressional commission for science, innovation and technology.
25. We have launched a number of bills that are currently moving through the
legislative process, aiming to strengthen congressional oversight.
26. Bill 1875 calls for the Prime Minister to report to the Commission each year on
advances in science and technology.
27. An investigation by our Commission found that between 2004 and 2012, public
universities failed to invest USD 466 million earmarked for science and research.
28. This is why we drafted Bill 2413, for this unspent mining supertax to be reallocated
for CONCYTEC grant funds.
29. Bill 1244 addresses the issue of the critical mass of the scientific community,
encouraging Peruvian researchers to return from overseas and drawing in foreign
talent.
30. Similarly, Bill 2415 sets out to create a group of registered public researchers, paid
30% more than a government minister.
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Epilogue

- Our experience in the Peruvian legislature has been guided by reflection

and analysis, supporting leadership and governance, congressional policy
control, oversight, and the creation of a critical mass for the scientific
community.
- It is vital to strengthen the triple helix of the private sector / communities
academia State. However, for real change to happen, a fourth and allimportant stakeholder must be considered: the press.
- We have got our message across better and faster with radio and TV
interviews on major national networks, rather than public hearings and
sessions. The power of the press is fundamental, and we must garner its
commitment to promoting science, innovation, and technology.
- Thank you very much.