What is science diplomacy?

Part of the solution for today's major challenges depends on developing and scaling science and technology (S&T). Science can contribute to reducing the impacts of climate change, biodiversity loss, rapid urbanization, and preventing the next pandemic.

With S&T playing an increased role in sustainable development, harnessing scientific cooperation and enabling technology transfer have become a priority in national competitiveness agendas across the globe.

Recently, there has been a lot of talk about science diplomacy (SD). Although SD has existed for a long time in practice, the term gained traction in international relations in the past decade, framed as a powerful tool to build bridges and enhance relationships across societies.

In many ways, SD is not very different from traditional diplomacy. It aims to advance foreign policy interests for competitiveness purposes. However, SD is not performed only by traditional bureaucrats with long-standing careers in government relations and foreign policy. Scientists and engineers also participate in SD, working from embassies as attachés or in research-based networks focused on fostering international partnerships.

Involving scientists in international affairs opens new opportunities for international engagement when formal diplomatic channels are blocked or strained. Most commonly, scientists act as “negotiators, executing the role of middleman, informing diplomats on the impacts of technological breakthroughs and scientific discoveries.

This blog post will introduce the term “science and diplomacy”, explain its implications for the GFCC community, and its importance for addressing global challenges.

What is science diplomacy?

Science diplomacy is the use of scientific collaboration among nations to address common problems, build international partnerships, and improve international relations between countries. In 2009, the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) and the Royal Society agreed that SD had become an umbrella to describe at least three types of activities when:

· Scientists provide insights to support foreign policy objectives.

· Diplomats facilitate international scientific cooperation.

· Scientific cooperation and the universal values of science, such as meritocracy and

transparency, help to improve international relations.

Before the term SD became popular, international scientific cooperation to advance foreign policy and international development would be coined “soft power.” There are multiple examples of SD in practice during the Cold War, in negotiations for nuclear arms non-proliferation, and in the space race.

The past and the future of SD

GFCC President Deborah L. Wince-Smith led major bilateral agreements during her service period at the National Science Foundation (NSF) and the White House. In the mid-seventies, she was responsible for managing a large program on agriculture between the former East Bloc, including Poland, Hungary, Romania, former Yugoslavia, and Czechoslovakia. She developed Memorandums of Understanding between the United States (U.S.). and national academies of science in the East bloc to facilitate joint research on mathematics, environmental stewardship, and computer science.

She also led significant agreements between the U.S. and India at the White House during the Reagan administration that contributed to advancing research on topics ranging from the impacts of the monsoon to robotics for medical applications. All this was in a period when India and the East bloc were under the deep influence of the Soviet Union. Furthermore, Mrs. Wince-Smith also played an essential role in negotiating S&T agreements between the U.S. and China, and the U.S. and Japan, with the latter being a comprehensive commitment with economic and security implications.

Fast-forwarding to recent developments, the signatures of the Paris Climate Agreement and the Iran Nuclear Deal are the most well-known outcomes of SD practices. SD was also crucial to reducing the negative impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, with scientists and research institutes collaborating across the globe, sharing data and analysis of virus behaviour, which was crucial to developing a vaccine at record speed. Scientists, policymakers and international organizations have also worked together to guarantee vaccine distribution through alliances such as Gavi.

There is growing recognition that SD is strategic to increase national competitiveness by enhancing the attraction of scientific resources and talent, facilitating access to international networks and infrastructures, and exercising influence by branding scientific and technological achievements.

Why foster science diplomacy?

With societies becoming more digital and connected, innovation is expected to play an even bigger role in competitiveness and national development. The nations that successfully employ S&T as strategic assets in diplomacy, forging deep collaborations between innovation ecosystems and diplomatic domains, will jump ahead in global competition.

The United Kingdom (U.K.) is leading the way placing S&T at the center of its international alliances. The New Atlantic Charter signed by U.S. President Joe Biden and former U.K. Prime Minister Boris Johnson seeks new collaborative approaches between scientists, investors, innovators, manufacturers, regulators, and governing bodies. Similarly, the European Union Science Diplomacy Alliance aims to promote knowledge exchange and interaction interfaces.

In the U.S., the Biden administration has also geared up efforts to expand global science cooperation. In 2021, the U.S.-Swiss agreement was announced to facilitate research collaboration. The U.S. government also fosters scientific cooperation with Canada through a partnership between the NSF and Canada’s Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council, France, Japan and Brazil.

GFCC member and founder, the U.S. Council on Competitiveness, has long advocated for the creation of a new technology statecraft in the country. The report, Competing in the Next Economy, argues that “America’s long-term position and influence in the world will be determined by its technological capa­bilities and their application.”

Other nations recognizing the importance of SD worldwide are building new diplomatic strategies, including technology transfer in trade agreements to accelerate growth and development.

“The GFCC has long advocated the importance of research and development investments as a key part of competitiveness strategies to advance productivity and higher standards of living. Supporting basic research and fostering win-win collaboration in S&T is crucial for our community”, says Mrs. Smith.

Future SD working areas:

· Gene editing

· Climate change and environmental policies

· Human health

· Agriculture

· Artificial Intelligence

· Cybersecurity

· Quantum technologies

· Semiconductors