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Home , Science diplomacy

A New Era for

Vaughan C. Turekian Chief International Officer Director, Center for Science Diplomacy Advancing Science, Serving Society

Science and Diplomacy Refers to Lots of Things

What’s in a name?

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Science and Diplomacy – What is it?

z Science in Diplomacy z Global issues with science basis (climate change, global health, agriculture, sustainability, energy, etc) z Diplomacy for Science z Getting things done for the science community z Science for Diplomacy (Science Diplomacy) z Building relationships through science

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Science for Diplomacy (Science Diplomacy)

z “The application of international science cooperation motivated by the desire to establish or enhance relationships between societies”

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Why science?

z It’s apolitical z It addresses issues of great importance to all societies z It’s based on a “method” (transparency, peer review, meritocracy, data-driven) z It gives us access to the world’s best minds (and ideas) z And . . .

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The world View of U.S. Science

Country Fav Unfav Sci Fav Sci unfav z 11% 88 90 8 z 4 94 48 51 z 15 78 83 13 z 20 69 52 46 z UAE 14 73 84 12

From: Arab Views toward America: From Zogby 2004

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The World and U.S. Science

z Pew polling data from 43 countries shows that favorable views of U.S. science and (S&T) exceed overall views of the by an average of 23 points.

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History of Science Diplomacy in the U.S.

z U.S. – Japan:

z U.S.- China:

z U.S. – USSR:

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History of Science Diplomacy in the U.S.

z U.S. – Japan:

z “Fixing the Broken Dialogue”

z President Kennedy and PM Ikeda agree to science cooperation to bridge divide in intellectual communities;

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U.S. and Japanese Physicists Share 2008 Nobel Prize

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History of Science Diplomacy in the U.S.

z U.S.- China: 1970s, Moving the relationship beyond geopolitical;

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History of Science Diplomacy in the U.S.

z U.S. – USSR: Establishing a relationship and dialogue during time of official political strain

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Current examples of U.S. Science Diplomacy (Engaging where official relations are limited)

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Barriers to Science Diplomacy

z Concerns about security (exports, ) z Asymmetry in capabilities z Funding and Follow up z Organization and priority

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U.S. Government not well organized for Science Diplomacy

z Technical agencies (rightfully) focus on mission based z State Department does not have resources (human or financial) to conduct science diplomacy and is not organized to do it

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Possible approaches

z Create for Science Cooperation in “P” line (perhaps current science adviser?); z Pass money through State (which picks some countries) to NSF (which runs science – based review process) to develop and execute cooperative science relationships; z Better coordinate (and prioritize) governmental international science activities; z Think

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Everybody loves the Nanny!

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But people around the world also respect U.S. Science and

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AAAS and Science Diplomacy

z July 15, 2008 – AAAS CEO Leshner announces creation of new AAAS Center for Science Diplomacy during testimony in front of house subcommittee on research and education

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Goal of the Center

Providing a forum for , policy analysts and policymakers through which they can share information and explore collaborative opportunities

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Whither Science Diplomacy?

“And I want to see science not only funded again, but to have our Department and USAID be in the forefront of . . enlisting scientists for all kinds of the problems that we face, working to encourage more scientific exchanges . . . creating once again what was historically an American strength: our higher education system, our research institutions, the scientific history that .. is so rich” Secretary Clinton February 4, 2009; State Department Town Hall

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President Obama – January 20, 2009

z Paragraph 16: “We will restore science to its rightful place”

z Paragraph 24: “we will extend a hand if you are willing to unclench your fist.”

A role for Science Diplomacy?

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Other National Efforts

Key Motivation z Access to top human resources z Access to Markets z Recognition of central role of science in innovation and societal progress z Realization that they can “compete” with the United States for talent

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Examples

z Europe – Highly successful FP – 7 program z Japan – Actively working through development agencies and private corporations to engage in S&T diplomacy; z China – Reaching out to Africa and southeast Asia z India – Recent elections have as focus investing in science and technology

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Other countries taking steps (examples)

z Argentina establishes science ministry z Saudi establishes multi billion dollar university z Countries such as Vietnam start taking steps to attract diaspora

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Role of Large International Projects

Examples: z ITER z CERN

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