The Mexican Academy of Sciences (Academia Mexicana de Ciencias) is a non-profit organization comprising over 1800 distinguished Mexican scientists, attached to various institutions in the country, as well as a number of eminent foreign colleagues, including various Nobel Prize winners. The organization, which encompasses exact and natural sciences as well as the social sciences and humanities, is founded on the belief that education, based on the truth of scientific knowledge, is the only means, in the short and long term, of achieving the development of the Mexican spirit and national sovereignty. The Academia is an open forum of discussion, criticism and respectful confrontation of ideas and models, but above all, of tolerance and agreement. Its strength lies in the commitment and work of its members and, by its very nature, it constitutes an ideal sphere for the independent, multidisciplinary analysis of the country's reality. Through its programs, the Academia undertakes its commitment to disseminating the knowledge and values of science, fostering improvements in the quality of education and raising the profile of science in the various spheres of national life. Principles and mission To maintain its independent status To serve as a spokesman for the scientific community with society and the Mexican state To advocate quality, professionalism and honesty in scientific research, training and dissemination To foster the development and consolidation of the Mexican scientific community To ensure that the aim of the production, implementation and dissemination of scientific knowledge is always to develop the creative and intellectual capacities of individuals and society Objectives To group together the most outstanding researchers in Mexico in the various areas of science and to promote public recognition of their work To encourage scientific research, training and dissemination in Mexico To advocate the fullest utilization of Mexican researchers' production To seek national and international recognition of Mexican scientists To promote and direct exchange with scientific organizations and communities in other countries Executive Board of Directors According to AMC's statutes, the Directive Council is responsible for supervising and managing all the Academia's affairs, and implementing the decisions made at the Ordinary and Extraordinary General Assemblies. It consists of a president, a vice-president, two secretaries (one appointed by the incoming president and another by vote), and a treasurer who will serve on the board for two years. The vice-president will occupy the post of president during the following period. Membership To date, the Academia has a