This is an archived page from the 2014 conference
A pre-conference symposium – 27 August 2014
Co-chaired by Dr. Vaughan Turekian, Editor-in-Chief of the AAAS Journal Science and Diplomacy, and the CE of New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, this pre-conference symposium explored ‘the place of science in foreign ministries’. The co-chairs thank everyone who helped to make it a success.
Overview of the symposium
The past decade has seen unprecedented interested in the interface between science and diplomacy from a number of perspectives including:
- Diplomacy for Science – building international relationships to foster robust collaborative scientific networks and shared expertise and infrastructure;
- Science for Diplomacy – the science enterprise as a doorway to relationship building between nations with shared goals and values;
- Science in Diplomacy – the role of science in various diplomatic endeavours (e.g.: verification of agreements on climate change, nuclear treaties etc; in support of aid projects; in promoting economic and trade relationships; and in various international agreements and instruments such as phyto-sanitary regulations, free trade agreements, biodiversity agreements etc.).
Yet, despite the growing interest in this intersection, there has been little discussion of the practical realities of fostering the rapprochement between two very distinct professional cultures and practices, particularly with specific reference to the classical pillars of foreign policy: diplomacy; trade/economic; and aid. Thus, this pre-conference symposium will be focusing on the essential question:
How should scientists have input into the operation of foreign ministries and in particular into three pillars of foreign affairs (diplomacy, trade/economics and foreign aid)?
The discussion focused on questions such as: What are the mechanisms and methods that can bring scientists and policy makers in science and technology in closer alignment with ministries or departments of foreign affairs and vice versa? What is the role of public scientists in assisting countries’ foreign policy positions and how can this be optimised? What are the challenges and opportunities in enhancing the role of science in international affairs? How does the perception of science in diplomacy vary between large and small countries and between developed and developing countries?
Draft Agenda
| 10:00-10:30 | Registration | Coffee and refreshments |
| 10:30-10:50 | Chairs’ welcome - Introduction - Goals and process | John Allen, CE. Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (MFAT) Vaughan Turekian, Editor Science and Diplomacy (AAAS) |
| 10:50- 11:45 | Overview: Science and Diplomacy: Keynote speakers x 3 | |
| A small country perspective | Sir Peter Gluckman: Chief Science Advisor to the Prime Minister of New Zealand and NZ’s Special Science Envoy | |
| A large country perpsective | Sir Mark Walport, CSA, UK | |
| A LMIC perspective | Shaukat Abdulrazak, National Council for Science and Technology, Kenya | |
| 11:45-12:45 | Panel Session 1: Science and Diplomacy | Opening remarks: Jonathan Margolis, US Department of State Panellists: 1. Robert Patman, Dept Political Science University of Otago 2. Mu Rongping, Institute of Policy and Management CAS 3. Carlos Nobre, Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation, Brazil 4. Julie Maxton, Royal Society UK |
| 12:45- 13: 30 | Lunch | |
| 13:30-14:45 | Panel Session 2: Science and Aid | Opening remarks: Romain Murenzi, The World Academy of Science Panellists: 1. Teatulohi Matainaho, University of Papua New Guinea 2. Tateo Arimoto, National Graduate Institute for Policy Studies, Japan 3. John Boright, International Affairs, American Academy of Arts and Sciences 4. Shaukut Abdulrazak, National Council for Science and Technology, Kenya |
| 14:45-15:00 | Case Study | Harry Clark, Director, Global Research Alliance on Agricultural Greenhouse Gases |
| 15:00-15:15 | Break | |
| 15:15-16:30 | Panel Session 3: Science and Trade | Opening remarks: Hunter Nottage, MFAT and formerly WTO Panellists: 1. Anne Glover, CSA EC 2. Hubert Deluyker, EFSA 3. Ian Chubb, CSA Australia |
| 16:30- 17:00 | Wrap up discussion and looking ahead | Vaughan Turekian, Ed. Science and Diplomacy |
| 17:15-18:30 | Reception with colleagues from Scientific Committee on Antarctic Research. | Aleks Terauds, Senior Research Scientist, Australian Antarctic Division: SCAR and the Antarctic Treaty System |