Meeting Report: Science Diplomacy and Global South with focus on Latin America and the Caribbean
We are pleased to share the meeting report of our meeting on Science Diplomacy and the Global South, with a focus on Latin America and the Caribbean. The meeting was organized by the EU Science Diplomacy Alliance on 28 May 2025, and brought together experts and stakeholders to discuss the significant role of science diplomacy in fostering science, technology and innovation collaboration and differences in strategic approaches of the science diplomacy in the Global North and South. The discussions emphasized the importance of science diplomacy in addressing global challenges and enhancing national research and innovation ecosystems.
The meeting was hosted by:
- Dr. Jean-Joinville Vacher, Co-Chair of the EU Science Diplomacy Alliance (2024-2025) and
- Professor Maria Bonnafous-Boucher, Co-head of the sub-theme Global South the EU Science Diplomacy Alliance
Key speakers and moderators:
We extend our sincere thanks to all the speakers and moderators who contributed their valuable insights and expertise:
- Professor Pierre Bruno Ruffini, University of Le Havre Normandie, France
- Dr. Luisa F. Echeverría-King, Director of Diplomacy and International Scientific Cooperation from the University of Simon Bolivar, Colombia
- Dr. Nevia Vera, Postdoctoral Researcher at Argentina’s National Council of Scientific and Technological Research (CONICET)
- Professor Alma Cristal Hernandez Mondragon, Department of Research and Multidisciplinary Studies at Cinvestav, Mexico
- Dr. Gabriela Gomes Coelho Ferreira, Post-doctoral researcher at the Institute of Advanced Studies, University of São Paulo, Brazil
- Dr. Javier Gracia-Garza, Chair of the Science Diplomacy Advisory Board at the Inter-American Institute for Global Change Research (IAI)
- Maria Bonnafous-Boucher, Professor Paris Ile de France, Chamber of Commerce and Industry, France, Dr. in International Strategy
- Juan Ignacio Iquino Lafuente, Vice-Presidency of Internationalization and Cooperation – CSIC, Spain
We are grateful to all participants and discussants for their active engagement and meaningful contributions to the discussions. Your involvement was crucial in enriching the dialogue and advancing the understanding of science diplomacy in the context of Latin America and the Caribbean.
Special thanks to Dr. Anna-Lena Rüland, Research Fellow at the Global Business School for Health at University College London, for her support in organizing the meeting and for the valuable suggestions.
The meeting report is available here.
We look forward to continuing these essential dialogues and collaborations to further advance science diplomacy globally.