Check out the voice of the Executive Director of the National Academic Network for Advanced Technology, RENATA (Colombia), and his vision about RedCLARA and collaboration. Read this and other interviews in the book “RedCLARA: Name, voice and instrument of collaboration in Latin America”.

What comes to your mind when you hear a researcher talking about collaboration?
My first image is the progress of science and innovation through various capacities and disciplines, integrated in favour of a better future. I see a scientific world without any kind of apprehensions or selfishness, where we can combine together various ways of thinking and acting through collaborative tools and with technological support.

What would you say is the most important aspect of research and education networks?
The possibility of turning the regional scientific inclusion and world collaboration into a reality.

How would you describe the role of RedCLARA both at a regional and global level?
A great articulator; a leader in the promotion, use and incorporation of advanced technology networks in an innovative way in order to place our researchers within the global scenario.

What has been the key important aspect of the ALICE2 project for your network?
The possibility of getting connected to a world of scientific and academic possibilities, as well as actively involving us in world research projects.

How important is for RENATA the collaboration with other national and regional networks and how do you collaborate globally?
It is not important, IT IS ESSENTIAL. The nervous system of regional networks lies in its capacity for collaboration and joint articulation.

If RedCLARA did not exist, what would the science, research and innovation scenario in your country be like?
We would have probably moved forward, but locally, that is to say, the possibility of implementing joint collaborative projects would have been a lot more difficult and slower. Additionally, it would have NEVER been possible to have a suitable articulation of collaborative tools and the construction of an infrastructure which really connects us effectively to the planet.

Could you describe your view of research and education networks in the future?
Networks used for strengthening science, education, culture and innovation in Latin America through the innovative use of advanced networks in articulation with national networks.

According to your point of view, what should be the role of RedCLARA over the next five years?
RedCLARA will have to be known as a key actor in the strengthening of science and technology in Latin America, succeeding in getting the end users of NRENs to make use of collaboration applications and platforms federated through it. Additionally, 85% of the networks from Latin American countries should be active members.