Project summary

The IBRO–PEDECIBA–UNESCO SDNTS School sits at the intersection of neuroscience, science policy, technology, ethics, and diplomacy. The school aims to strengthen science diplomacy capacity in the Global South by integrating neuroscience and public policy. These goals closely align with the work I am doing for children with cerebral palsy and other neurodevelopmental disorders. We have to start using what we know to inform policy and truly make a change for children with disabilities.

What are this project's goals? How will you achieve them?

The goals of the school are

1. Teach health professionals how science connects to policy

2. Bring neuroscience conversations, like brain and mental health policy, neurodevelopment, neurotechnology, AI and the brain , to influence government action.

3. Develop new ways to make sure new neurotechnologies are used ethically and equitably
   

How will you know it worked?

I will bring the ideas back home and strengthen my project on neurodevelopment and figure out the right path to push the government and other responsible bodies to take action on health centres and clinics. In my country, the average diagnostic year for children living with cerebral palsy is 2-3 years. If we manage to diagnose children in the early months, we can truly change their lives. Imagine this childern can't talk,walk,eat or do the basic functions of life but their bodies do not stop growing so imagine the level of contracture they will have at their joints. If we take proper action, we can change their lives.

How will this funding be used?

The funding will be used to cover my round-trip airfare from Ethiopia to Uruguay to attend the school from Dec 7 to Dec 18. The school will cover my visa and accommodation costs. I am seeking approximately $2500 to cover the travel.

Who is on your team? What's your track record on similar projects?

I will be the only one attending the school.

What are the most likely causes and outcomes if this project fails?

I won't have the chance to go there, which is very unfortunate because this will be the second opportunity I miss because I was born on the "wrong side of the world". It is not like I don't get the right opportunity or grind enough, but for some reason it is never enough. I don't like coming here to ask for help, but sometimes you just have to do what you have to do.

How much money have you raised in the last 12 months, and from where?

I have not raised any money in this situation. But my project got $900 in seed funding after we placed third out of 1,000 people. The awarding organisation was Bridge for Billions.