New Frontiers in Science Diplomacy RS Policy Document 01/10 Issued: January 2010 RS1619
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The Royal Society For further information The Royal Society is a Fellowship of more than 1400 outstanding The Royal Society individuals from all areas of science, mathematics, engineering and Science Policy Centre medicine, who form a global scientifi c network of the highest 6–9 Carlton House Terrace New frontiers in calibre. The Fellowship is supported by over 130 permanent staff London SW1Y 5AG with responsibility for the day-to-day management of the Society T +44 (0)20 7451 2500 and its activities. The Society encourages public debate on key F +44 (0)20 7451 2692 issues involving science, engineering and medicine, and the use of E [email protected] high quality scientifi c advice in policy-making. We are committed to science diplomacy W royalsociety.org delivering the best independent expert advice, drawing upon the experience of the Society’s Fellows and Foreign Members, the Navigating the changing balance of power wider scientifi c community and relevant stakeholders. In our 350th anniversary year and beyond we are working to January 2010 achieve fi ve strategic priorities: • Invest in future scientifi c leaders and in innovation • Infl uence policymaking with the best scientifi c advice • Invigorate science and mathematics education • Increase access to the best science internationally • Inspire an interest in the joy, wonder and excitement of scientifi c discovery ISBN 978-0-85403-811-4 ISBN: 978-0-85403-811-4 Issued: January 2010 Report 01/10 RS1619 Founded in 1660, the Royal Society is the independent scientific academy of the UK, dedicated to promoting excellence in science 9 780854 038114 Registered Charity No 207043 Price £10 The cover image is a figure of a dipping needle from ‘Directions for observations and experiments to be made by masters of ships, pilots and other fit persons in their sea-voyages’ by Sir Robert Moray FRS and Robert Hooke FRS, which appeared in Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society in 1666. The world’s oldest scientific journal in continuous publication, Philosophical Transactions was first published in 1665 to inform and connect the Fellows of the Society and other natural philosophers all over the world to new frontiers in scientific knowledge. New frontiers in science diplomacy RS Policy document 01/10 Issued: January 2010 RS1619 ISBN: 978-0-85403-811-4 © The Royal Society, 2010 Requests to reproduce all or part of this document should be submitted to: The Royal Society Science Policy Centre 6–9 Carlton House Terrace London SW1Y 5AG Tel +44 (0)20 7451 2500 Email [email protected] Web royalsociety.org Design by Franziska Hinz, Royal Society, London Copyedited and Typeset by Techset Composition Limited New frontiers in science diplomacy Contents Summary v 1 The changing role of science in foreign policy 1 1.1 A brief history of science diplomacy 1 1.2 A renewed interest in science diplomacy 2 2 Science in diplomacy 5 2.1 Building capacity to give and receive scientifi c advice 6 3 Diplomacy for science 9 4 Science for diplomacy 11 4.1 New dimensions of international security 12 5 Conclusions 15 5.1 The three dimensions of science diplomacy 15 5.2 Science and universal values 15 5.3 The soft power of science 15 5.4 Motivations for science diplomacy 15 5.5 Avoiding politicisation 16 5.6 Practical barriers to scientifi c exchange 16 5.7 Widening the circle of science diplomacy 17 5.8 Fostering science diplomats 17 5.9 Priorities for science diplomacy 17 The Royal Society New Frontiers in Science Diplomacy I January 2010 I iii Case study 1 Using science to strengthen relations with the Islamic world 19 Case study 2 The governance of international spaces 23 References 26 Acknowledgements 29 Appendix 1 Discussion meeting programme 30 iv I January 2010 I New Frontiers in Science Diplomacy The Royal Society Summary ‘Many of the challenges we face today are The potential contribution of science to international and—whether it’s tackling foreign policy is attracting more attention climate change or fi ghting disease—these in several countries. In the UK, the Prime global problems require global solutions . Minister Gordon Brown recently called for That is why it is important that we create a a ‘new role for science in international new role for science in international policy- policymaking and diplomacy’ (Brown making and diplomacy . to place science 2009). This report attempts to defi ne this at the heart of the progressive international role, and to demonstrate how scientists, agenda.’ diplomats and other policymakers can make it work in practice. Rt Hon Gordon Brown MP, Prime Minister The report is based on the evidence Science diplomacy is not new, but it has gathered at a two-day meeting on ‘New never been more important. Many of the frontiers in science diplomacy’, which was defi ning challenges of the 21st century— hosted by the Royal Society from 1_2 June from climate change and food security, to 2009, in partnership with the American poverty reduction and nuclear Association for the Advancement of disarmament—have scientifi c dimensions. Science (AAAS). The meeting was No one country will be able to solve these attended by almost 200 delegates from problems on its own. The tools, techniques twenty countries in Africa, Asia, Europe, and tactics of foreign policy need to adapt the Middle East, North and South America. to a world of increasing scientifi c and Attendees included government ministers, technical complexity. scientists, diplomats, policymakers, There are strong foundations on which to business leaders and journalists (see renew momentum for science diplomacy. Appendix 1 for the meeting agenda). Advances in science have long relied on international fl ows of people and ideas. To give an example close to home, the post Three dimensions of science of Foreign Secretary of the Royal Society diplomacy was instituted in 1723, nearly 60 years Drawing on historical and contemporary before the British Government appointed examples, the meeting explored how its fi rst Secretary of State for Foreign science can contribute to foreign policy Affairs. Throughout the Cold War, objectives. Key points to emerge from the scientifi c organisations were an important discussion include: conduit for informal discussion of nuclear • ‘Science diplomacy’ is still a fl uid issues between the United States and the concept, but can usefully be applied Soviet Union. Today, science offers to the role of science, technology alternative channels of engagement with and innovation in three dimensions countries such as Iran, Saudi Arabia and of policy: Pakistan. The Royal Society New Frontiers in Science Diplomacy I January 2010 I v ᭺ informing foreign policy objectives • Science diplomacy seeks to strengthen with scientifi c advice (science in the symbiosis between the interests diplomacy); and motivations of the scientifi c and foreign policy communities. For the ᭺ facilitating international science former, international cooperation is cooperation (diplomacy for often driven by a desire to access the science); best people, research facilities or new ᭺ using science cooperation to sources of funding. For the latter, improve international relations science offers potentially useful between countries (science for networks and channels of communi- diplomacy). cation that can be used to support wider policy goals. But it is important • Scientifi c values of rationality, that scientifi c and diplomatic goals transparency and universality are remain clearly defi ned, to avoid the the same the world over. They can undue politicisation of science. help to underpin good governance and build trust between nations. • Foreign ministries should place greater Science provides a non-ideological emphasis on science within their environment for the participation strategies, and draw more extensively and free exchange of ideas between on scientifi c advice in the formation people, regardless of cultural, and delivery of policy objectives. In the national or religious backgrounds. UK, the appointment of Professor David Clary FRS as the Chief Scientifi c • Science is a source of what Joseph Adviser at the Foreign and Nye, the former dean of the Kennedy Commonwealth Offi ce creates an School of Government at Harvard important opportunity to integrate University, terms ‘soft power’ (Nye science across FCO priorities, and 2004). The scientifi c community often develop stronger linkages with works beyond national boundaries on science-related policies in other problems of common interest, so is government departments. well placed to support emerging forms of diplomacy that require non- • Regulatory barriers, such as visa traditional alliances of nations, sectors restrictions and security controls, can and non-governmental organisations. also be a practical constraint to If aligned with wider foreign policy science diplomacy. Immediately goals, these channels of scientifi c after September 11 2001, the exchange can contribute to coalition- imposition of stringent travel and visa building and confl ict resolution. regimes in countries like the US and Cooperation on the scientifi c aspects the UK severely limited opportunities of sensitive issues—such as nuclear for visiting scientists and scholars, non-proliferation—can sometimes particularly from Islamic countries. provide an effective route to other Whilst the strictest controls have since forms of political dialogue. been lifted, the value of scientifi c vi I January 2010 I New Frontiers in Science Diplomacy The Royal Society partnerships means that further • Three immediate areas of opportunity reforms may be needed. for science diplomacy were highlighted at the meeting: • Scientifi c organisations, including national academies, also have an ᭺ New scientifi c partnerships with the important role to play in science Middle East and wider Islamic world diplomacy, particularly when formal A new initiative to support these political relationships are weak or efforts, ‘The Atlas of Islamic-World strained. The scientifi c community may Science and Innovation’, was be able to broker new or different announced at the meeting, with types of partnerships.