Strategy for the 21st Century

The project “Strategy for the 21st Century: A Fifty-year Plan in Science and Technology for Costa Rica” (Estrategia Siglo XXI) was launched in December 2004 as an initiative of CRUSA’s Assembly of Founders. The goal of the project was to formulate a plan of action to promote Costa Rica’s comprehensive development in the ensuing 50 years, enabling the country to experience economic and social achievements comparable to those of the world’s most developed nations without sacrificing it uniqueness. The design of this plan was accomplished through a multi-phase, participatory process that involved more than 250 academic, business, institutional, and political leaders and was led by noted Costa Rican astronaut Dr. Franklin Chang Diaz.

The Plan of Action that resulted from this consultation process was presented to the country at a public event in April of 2006. In November of that year, after a panel presented the initiative to the Government Cabinet, President Oscar Arias announced that the plan would be adopted as an essential component of Costa Rica’s National Development Plan.