1st Latin American Conference on Science, Technology and Innovation for Health Rio de Janeiro - Brazil 3, 4 and 5 of September, 2007 Sponsor: Pan-American Health Organization, Council on Health Research for Development, Global Forum for Health Research and The Brazilian Ministry of Health THEMES: (1) National Health Research Systems: Participants will discuss the current status of national health research systems in the region, and work on strategies and action plans for strengthening the systems. Issues that will be covered in the discussion are: priority setting processes for health research, health research and science and technology policy development, management of health research systems and the linkage to S&T systems, and human resources for research. (2) Innovation and intellectual property rights: The debate will look at advances in innovation and intellectual property rights in Latin America, involve private sector representatives, and discuss South-South collaboration with 'innovative developing countries' beyond the region. (3) Regional collaboration: This theme group considers areas for South-South collaboration between countries in the region (in NHRS or thematic research areas), between existing regional research networks, with key Northern partners (research institutes, funders), and looks at mechanisms through which such collaboration can be stimulated. (4) Financing: The theme group will discuss and identify innovative strategies for funding health research systems and health research priorities at country and regional levels.

The South America and Southeast Asia (SASA) Project is led by a multidisciplinary, cross-sectors, international team across Brazil, Malaysia, and the UK. Based on equitable partnerships, with horizontal leadership shared across the three countries, SASA mobilises local, regional and indigenous knowledges and expertise to identify priority areas, challenge current structures, and shape future funding opportunities in arts and humanities.