Did you know that Jorge Luis Borges, Victoria Ocampo, Florentino Ameghino, Bernardo Houssay, and René Favaloro shared more than just prestige? They were all active members of one or more National Academies of the Argentine Republic. Yes, those 22 institutions that few know about but that manage the knowledge that drives the country.
The National Academies are a set of entities dedicated to sciences, technology, humanities, and the arts. Made up of top-level specialists, their mission is to promote excellence, stimulate research, and disseminate knowledge. But what really matters is that they are autonomous, recognized, and supported by the national state. Their members elect their own authorities and, based on professional achievements, choose new members. In addition, they inform the public and politicians, generate publications, statements, and reports, and even have research institutes.
Beyond the diversity of their fields, the 22 academies share a common thread: the dynamism and complexity of the creative process. Scientists, technologists, artists, and humanists participate in a common intellectual experience, where creative imagination is linked to objectivity, rigor, and critical thinking. Every creative process produces knowledge and is nourished by it. That is why there are deep epistemological affinities between physics, biology, literature, music, painting, law, journalism, and so many other ways of understanding reality.
But let’s not stay in theory. The accelerated changes of the 21st century and the complex problems facing humanity demand societies capable of adapting, innovating, and generating responses supported by knowledge. And this is where Argentina’s future is at stake. The country needs to begin a transition toward a true knowledge society, where knowledge is the main strategic capital. This implies promoting scientific research, artistic creation, humanistic thought, technological innovation, and excellence in education.
The National Academies are called to be one of the main strategic agents of that transformation. The diversity of disciplines they represent gives them a broad vision of reality and a unique capacity to address complex problems. They are in a position to exercise intellectual leadership, promote dialogue between different sectors, and establish alliances with universities, public agencies, companies, and civil society organizations.
A nation that aspires to build its future on knowledge cannot do without institutions that embody the artistic, humanistic, technological, and scientific memory of the country and, at the same time, project its creative capacity. Strengthening the National Academies does not mean looking to the past, but providing Argentina with tools to strategically think about its future. Are we ready to take the step?
para mi esto es una joda no? academias nacionales? mientras los laburantes se rompen el lomo estos viejos se llenan de guita del estado borges y favaloro ya estan muertos y bien comodos la posta es la revolucion obrera no sus conferencias pedorras abajo el poder oligarca viva la lucha de clases ✊️✊️
Para mí las academias nacionales son un curro de la casta intelectual, viven de mi guita discutiendo boludeces mientras el país se incendia. Favaloro y Houssay ya fueron, ahora son una joda. Yo creo que hay que cerrarlas y que laburen como la gente. ¡Argentina no necesita más vagos de levita, necesita acción ya!