The grand challenges facing humanity in the 21st century will be both global and technical. Climate change, unemployment, hunger, and a host of other issues will require experts of all kinds around the world to come together to solve them. Yet today, trust in science is on the decline and multilateralism in some regions appears to be in retreat.
This highlights the need for a revitalisation of science diplomacy and a major update to the frameworks that underpin it. This will be crucial, not only for tackling the challenges already before us, but also anticipating future technical and policy developments in time to foster multilateral solutions.
- How can we bring current and anticipated scientific breakthroughs to the forefront of policymaking to tackle emerging grand challenges, and how can we train future leaders to be bilingual in both science and diplomacy?
- In future science diplomacy, what would be the most effective roles for people on the local level or those outside of government?
- How can we reinvigorate trust in science among citizens?
Takeaway messages
“Science diplomacy is resurgent but has firm roots with examples in the Red Cross movement, Swiss government and UNESCO that used cutting edge advances to overcome political hurdles.
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“Leading universities such as those in Switzerland can use their educational tools, research, and technologies to help international organisations move forward and keep their relevance.
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“Together with the revitalisation of science diplomacy, a major update on the frameworks that underpin it is needed. The focus on anticipation should be a key feature of it.
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“A multidisciplinary approach to science diplomacy can build trust through outreach and inclusiveness, raise science knowledge and awareness, and educate generations of potential future leaders.
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“Opportunities exist for GESDA, as a public platform, to create two-way dialogues between science communities and international organisations.
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“Switzerland could promote anticipatory science diplomacy through a Security Council seat in 2023 and 2024.
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