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History of SOLAR
SOLAR was founded to strengthen the representation of Latin American radiotherapy societies and to promote the development of the specialty throughout the region. Its mission is to respond to shared challenges by fostering education, technological innovation, and international collaboration. The initiative emerged naturally from personal and professional connections established among specialists at international events, who recognized the importance of building a collective voice for Latin America.
The first milestone came in 2023, when the city of Rio de Janeiro hosted the inaugural meeting of the presidents of Latin American Radiotherapy Societies. During this gathering, participants exchanged national experiences and reflected on the unique realities of radiotherapy in each country.
The meeting concluded with a collective commitment to study the creation of a federation that could coordinate efforts, promote cooperative work, and generate solutions to common challenges faced by the region. The importance of the initiative was reinforced by the participation of international organizations such as ASTRO, ESTRO, and the IAEA, which expressed their willingness to support and collaborate with future projects.
A year later, in 2024, the second meeting took place in Huatulco, Mexico. Although some new leaders had taken office following the conclusion of previous mandates, the commitment to collaboration and solidarity remained intact. The momentum of this process is set to continue, with the next meeting already scheduled for Chile in the first half of 2026.
Alongside these face-to-face encounters, presidents have been meeting virtually on a monthly basis, ensuring constant dialogue and continuity of work. These exchanges culminated in the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding, which formalized the operational framework of SOLAR and introduced a project-based model. Under this structure, projects are proposed and led by national societies and subsequently reviewed by the SOLAR board. Once approved, they receive institutional backing to advance initiatives that strengthen the role of radiotherapy in Latin America.
The areas of work envisioned within SOLAR are broad and interconnected, ranging from technical and scientific development to education and training, public policy and advocacy, funding and sustainability, and any other initiative with radiotherapy at its core. What unites these efforts is the conviction that collaboration is essential for meaningful progress.
SOLAR thus represents a unique and collective undertaking by Latin American radiotherapy societies. It is a movement grounded in cooperation, shared knowledge, and innovation, with the clear purpose of ensuring that radiotherapy in the region continues to grow stronger and more accessible, to the benefit of patients and professionals alike.
Original signed
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