Santiago de Chile, October 29, 2025
Following the successful WAITRO Board and RFP Meetings, members from across Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC) gathered at Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile for the WAITRO Regional Workshop 2025. The workshop, titled “Co-Creating WAITRO Initiatives for Greater Regional and Global Impact,” brought together representatives from member organizations across the region to strengthen collaboration, identify shared priorities, and shape new initiatives for the years ahead.
A Platform for Co-Creation and Collaboration
Moderated by Martha Liliana Marín (CTA, Regional Focal Point for LAC) and Dominik Reinertz (Managing Director, WAITRO Operations e.V.), the interactive workshop marked an important step in enhancing cooperation within the WAITRO network.
The workshop was designed to:
- Build stronger regional connections among members
- Identify shared interests and collaborative opportunities
- Co-create new WAITRO initiatives that reflect the priorities of LAC members.
Through a series of dynamic and participatory sessions, members shared their priorities, pitched collaboration ideas, and engaged in thematic discussions focused on key areas of joint interest.
Interactive Format: From Ideas to Action
The workshop featured four main components:
- Member Pitches – Participants introduced their organizations, highlighted research strengths, and proposed collaboration ideas.
- Match with a Member – A networking session that encouraged participants to identify partners with complementary expertise.
- Collaborative Discussions – At three thematic tables, members jointly developed concepts for potential WAITRO initiatives in:
- Capacity Development & Knowledge Sharing
- Collaborative Research & Innovation Projects
- Innovation Ecosystems, Policy & Global Connections
- Sharing & Reflection – Groups presented their ideas and discussed how WAITRO can best support their implementation.
Participants emphasized the importance of WAITRO’s role in connecting research organizations, facilitating access to international funding, and fostering knowledge exchange. The insights and proposals collected during the workshop will feed directly into the design of WAITRO’s 2026–2028 programs and the upcoming WAITRO Summit 2026 in Istanbul, Türkiye.
“We are proud to see the region’s voice growing stronger in WAITRO’s global network,” added Martha Liliana Marín, Regional Focal Point for LAC.
Looking Ahead
The outcomes of the Santiago workshop will inform the next phase of WAITRO’s strategic initiatives and serve as input for regional and global programs under development.
“The enthusiasm and creativity shown by our members in Latin America and the Caribbean are truly inspiring. This workshop demonstrated the power of collective action in shaping the future of global collaboration,” said Dominik Reinertz, Managing Director of WAITRO Operations e.V.
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