TWAS Paolo Budinich Science Diplomacy Lecture/ 11 June

[Science Diplomacy]

TWAS-AAAS International Science & Diplomacy Programme
  - The Paolo Budinich Science Diplomacy Lecture -

*Sir Peter Gluckman*
Chief Science Adviser to the Prime Minister of New Zealand and
Head of the International Network for Science Advice to Governments

will be speaking about

*SCIENCE DIPLOMACY: OPPORTUNITIES AND CHALLENGES AS SEEN THROUGH A 
SMALL-COUNTRY LENS*

at the *Budinich Lecture Hall, ICTP Leonardo Building*
on Thursday, 11 June 2015 – 10:30 am

ABSTRACT:

Classically, science diplomacy has been viewed either from the 
perspective of diplomacy for science
or science for/in diplomacy, though many actions have multiple effects. 
This codification
has been primarily viewed as a tool of large countries projecting soft 
power or protecting their interests.
This talk will extend from such framing to consider science-diplomacy 
from the perspective
of a small advanced economy. I would argue that the issues that are 
raised also have relevance to
developing countries, both large and small.
As the global architecture both in science and in economic and 
environmental affairs is
changing, the challenge for a small nation is how to project its voice 
and protect its interests. Within
the science policy space, there are examples where small but 
scientifically active countries
were not consulted and yet the outcomes have impacted on them. As the 
global agenda for
sustainability is operationalized much through science at a global 
level, there is the danger that
the interests and capabilities of small countries will be ignored and 
this has potential social and
economic implications. Ameliorating this risk requires the 
disproportionate efforts of scientists
and diplomats from small countries.
On the other hand, small advanced economies are now demonstrating that 
they can
extend and exploit their interests well beyond the scope of traditional 
diplomatic links via science
diplomacy, and that by projecting their identity as nimble, thinking and 
innovative countries
they can protect and develop their interests even with large powers – 
and project soft influence
(not power) more broadly.
These points will be illustrated with examples from New Zealand and 
other small advanced
economies. The argument can be made that all Ministries of Foreign 
Affairs, irrespective
of national size and developmental status, now need to integrate science 
into their toolkit.