Declaration of Leticia: A Manifesto for Science with Social Impact in America and the Caribbean

Since 2015, the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 2030 have served as common objectives so we can achieve a better future in balance with the planet. However, the lack of conclusive achievements to date has presented governments and the scientific community with an urgent challenge. There is therefore a pressing need to design and manage innovative policies that facilitate compliance of these goals through science and collaborative work. As young Latin American scientists, we share similar difficulties in each of our countries; being thei) gender gap in STEM areas, and ii) the lack of connection between scientists, the government and society, two of the most transversal ones. Both significantly hinder progress in achieving sustainable development goals in Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC). This manifesto is the result of the Science Leadership Program for Latin America and the Caribbean of the Global Young Academy, where 20 young scientists from LAC analyzed and concluded that we need to make female scientists visible, create innovative policies that promote their inclusion in science, and generate or consolidate collaborative networks that facilitate training for women in STEM. Also, it is necessary to promote knowledge dialogues with communities and create spaces for scientists within the government. In addition, we need help developing science diplomacy activities with the aim of articulating science, governments, and society.