On 3 December 2021, InsSciDE invited a group of young social and natural researchers, a diplomat and a cultural diplomacy project PI to share perspectives on the theme of the project’s recent Open Conference Erlangen: interculturality and science diplomacy training.
This international and interdisciplinary session showcased a broad range of science diplomacy ideas, initiatives and tools from across Europe and beyond in the form of 5-minute ’flash presentations’.
Watch the recording below and scroll down to learn more about the speakers and their respective works.
Flash presentations: Community perspectives on interculturality and science diplomacy
Webinar recording from Friday 3 December 2021
About the speakers and their works:
Opinions on S&T Diplomacy in Korea and Pilot Results of the ‘S&T Diplomacy Academy’
Nari Yoo, Researcher, Center for International Cooperation Policy at Korea Institute of S&T Evaluation and Planning (KISTEP)
| KISTEP: https://www.kistep.re.kr/eng/ Email: nariyoo@kistep.re.kr |
The Center for International Cooperation Policy at KISTEP has been conducting a study on the establishment of strategies and systems for science and technology (S&T) diplomacy since 2020. As a part of the project, an opinion survey on S&T diplomacy among Korean professionals in S&T and diplomacy fields was performed to identify demands and issues. Further, the ’S&T Diplomacy Academy,’ an education and training program to strengthen capacity of interested participants, was held twice in 2021 in cooperation with National Science and Technology Human Resources Development Center. The presentation will examine the results of both the survey and the ‘S&T Diplomacy Academy’ pilot.
EU-India relations in the multi-vector matrix of science diplomacy and Asia-Europe Meeting
Zane Šime, Affiliated Researcher, Department of Historical and Classical Studies, Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU)
| DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.resglo.2021.100057 Email: zsime@cris.unu.edu |
Science diplomacy training events are the best examples of rich and thought-provoking intercultural encounters. Some insights obtained during such online meetings deserve more attention. Following the interest in the ongoing online and hybrid set-ups of academic and policy-oriented gatherings, the flash talk focuses on the recently altered spatialities of intellectual exchanges and how that affects the contemporary routines of mediation of expertise across disciplines, professions, cultures and various administrative and conceptual borders.
Can science diplomacy help diversify the human genomes in bio-banks?
Ibon Santiago, Physics Department, Technical University of Munich, Germany
Tobias Hoffmann, RNA researcher, Ph.D in Biomedicine
| Hoffmann: Twitter, LinkedIn, email: tobias_hoffmann@posteo.de] Santiago: Linkedin, email: ibon.santiago@tum.de |
Genetic testing offers excellent chances to improve human health. Over the last years, bio-banks have collected an impressive amount of human genomes that provide great opportunities for scientists. This brings personalised medicine closer to reality. However, for systemic, logistic, and cultural reasons, bio-banks have collected mainly genomes from individuals from the global North. This not only complicates but also biases predictions and research results. It is, therefore, in the interest of the scientific community and society to overcome this lack of diversity. We propose that nationwide scientific cooperation through science diplomacy can be a way to address this persistent bias.
Using science diplomacy for harmonisation of regulation of new breeding technologies
Muhammad Adeel, WA State Agricultural Biotechnology Centre, Murdoch University (Western Australia); Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Pakistan (based on work conducted with Michael G.K Jones)
| Recent paper: https://www.sciencediplomacy.org/perspective/2021/food-security-in-post-covid-19-world-regulatory-perspectives-for-agricultural |
Biotechnology is a key component of the global knowledge economy and has been the source of several disrupting technologies, the recent of which includes New Breeding Technologies (NBT). This advanced form of genetic engineering provides tools at relatively low cost for innovation in agriculture and related products of the bioeconomy. Developing a consistent and evidence based regulatory regime is critical to benefit optimally from NBTs. The challenge of effectively regulating agribiotechnology can be addressed through alternative governance and engagement regimes which are built around broad stakeholder dialogue. Review of different regulatory regimes shows that many of them are unclear on policy objectives with regards to progress of NBTs. An alternative approach to achieve harmonisation and effective governance is the use of science diplomacy. This talk presents the application of science diplomacy as a governance framework and devises a tailor-made negotiation exercise to map stakeholder interests. This would facilitate participation of reputable key stakeholders, heterogeneity of represented interests and internal rule making processes and outcomes that seek to accommodate the different interests of its participants.
Collegium Invisibile as science diplomacy in practice
Paulina Gurgul, Ph.D. candidate at the Faculty of Philosophy at Jagiellonian University
| Website: https://www.ci.edu.pl Email: info@ci.edu.pl” |
Science diplomacy, as a bridge between cultures, requires socially-engaged sharing of knowledge. Around this idea, the scientific association Collegium Invisibile was founded in Poland in 1995 as a community of talented students and their academically experienced tutors. Tutors serve as mentors in individual teaching and students also find themselves on the giving side of interactions, reinvesting their skills in the society’s outreach programs, gaining hands-on experience in leadership. With principal values of open-mindedness, collaboration, and accountability, Collegium adapts to changing education reality and continues to foster an intellectually stimulating network of purpose-driven individuals committed to civil society.
Intercultural dialogues and collaboration: A4S4CD2030 project connects cultures in a sustainability narrative
Tatjana Christelbauer ACD-Agency for Cultural Diplomacy, President and Founder of the Art_Science_Diplomacy2030 platform
| A4S4CD2030-Platform: https://www.acdvienna.org/arts4science4culturaldiplomacy/ Tatjana Christelbauer dance arts_sciences: https://www.tatjana-christelbauer.com/en/galerie Email: t.christelbauer@gmail.com |
The need for academic collaborations among art and sciences students and professionals with science diplomats and students in diplomacy is given in the fact that art is at the forefront of European Cultural diplomacy, together with science. The Art_ Sciences_Diplomacy 2030 project is grounded in the idea that intercultural dialogue opens up opportunities for the establishment of long-term cooperation between multiple stakeholders, thereby supporting successful science diplomacy for global challenges. It also serves as a model for further development of the S4D4C project with an impact from the civilian sector. The platform will support European Science Diplomacy by a current paradigm shift from the competitive promotion of national cultures toward collaboration for mutual prosperity, through cultural diplomacy and 2030-oriented projects.
Strengthening the public role of faith-based communities in environmental protection
Antonino Puglisi, Research chemist, University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences (BOKU), Vienna; Research Associate, Faculty of Theology and Religion at the University of Pretoria, South Africa.
| Email: antonino.puglisi@outlook.com Twitter handle: @Anton1n0Puglisi |
The recent interest in science diplomacy has emphasized the need to identify and involve other actors alongside professional scientist and international institutions to fully deploy the power of science in addressing major global challenges. International institutions are increasingly recognizing the importance of working together with Faith-Based Organizations (FBOs) to bring about sustainable development. For the majority of people on our planet spiritual values are key in driving individual as well as communitarian behavior. Through their emphasis on wisdom, social cohesion and interrelatedness FBOs represent a strategic partner to science diplomacy to ensure effective sustainable development. In particular, in the context of the current environmental crisis, FBOs show the potential to not only effectively mobilize people on the ground in responding to climate change but more importantly to motivate large sections of society moving from their deep seeded set of core values.
