Science diplomacy:
This week, I want to take you back to the first meeting we attended as we arrived in New York. It was an introductory meeting with the President of the General Assembly, and his team. During the meeting, the PGA introduced the moto of his presidency: “solutions through solidarity, sustainability and science”.
The last word, science, caught my attention which in this context, is the role that science can play in shaping/guiding decisions and policies to be taken on complex issues such as climate change, water management, health pandemic, and digital revolution. Some of these challenges, that are often found interlinked, have a scientific approach and require cooperation at both, regional and international levels, to be addressed.
Taking a broader view, science diplomacy can certainly help in advancing solutions and actions designed to meet our global needs. Indeed, it has the power to transcend boundaries and cultures with a common language, and therefore, provides a neutral and non-political platform for free exchanges between nations and strengthen our diplomatic and multilateral relations. With this aspect, our policy makers can be exposed with the best available information regarding different/technical topics and be provided with expertise during the negotiations of international agreements.
I found out that there is a common/general understanding of what science diplomacy encompasses which are as follow:
– Diplomacy for science: the use of diplomatic action to facilitate international scientific collaboration;
– Science for diplomacy: the use of science as a soft power to advance diplomatic objectives by promoting international research and science cooperation;
– Science in diplomacy: the use of scientific advice and evidence to foreign and security policies.
Basically, we can use science to build constructive international partnerships for the benefits of all citizens and as a soft power tool to maintain and improve relations. For this, we need to facilitate cooperation and trust amongst diplomats and scientists.
I think in general some of the challenges that science diplomacy might be facing are:
– how to convince both, national and international, decision makers to accept and transform into policies the recommendations emanating from their research.
– how to build trust between governments, diplomats, politicians, scientists, citizens, and partners.
– do we have enough resources (human and financial) and global research?
Additionally, I believe we need to have an inclusive process, with the active participation of historically disadvantaged countries and institutions. Looking at what this process means in Africa, it can be used to address shared societal challenges including:
– managing shared natural resources, specifically water resources;
– protecting the environment and coping with impact of climate change;
– preventing, controlling and eradicating pandemics; clinical and health research;
– maintaining peace and security.
However, the scientific and technical capacity for many states might be a challenge to engage in science diplomacy and participate in international standard settings, and representation in such meetings and negotiations are essential to ensure respective needs are heard. The continent also contributes little to the global scientific publications.
I suppose more capacity building could be needed at individual level but more importantly at institutional level, while ensuring that the right ecosystems are in place. But the good news is that I believe there is progress being made in this field with an increase of awareness and investment, by governments and international organisations, as well as research funding organisations. More platforms are also created and discussions are being held to leverage the expertise and resources of international partners to initiate new cooperation programmes.
Perhaps, the more we understand the opportunities provided by science diplomacy, with the will from all, the more such partnerships could be enabled.
A few questions that I am asking myself;
Rethinking about multilateralism, could science be used as a vehicle for peace and for building common understandings, as sport did and is doing in bringing people together and strengthening relations between countries, or could it be used solely to preserve national interests? Could the international scientific cooperation be purposely limited due to the potential implications for national security? Do we have scientifically literate societies? Is the level of funding needed to undertake quality research enough?
