Science diplomacy has gained increasing importance and prominence over the last years. Though not a new practice, there is a growing realisation that science diplomacy, actively pursued, is integral to reaching foreign policy goals and addressing some of the world’s most pressing challenges, such as climate change and global health (watch the short video by the S4D4C Project for more examples).
This course explores science diplomacy in-depth. We ask: How can it effectively contribute to global goals and the common good? What particular practices of science diplomacy are relevant? Who are the key actors? What is required of diplomats on the one hand and of scientists on the other? And more broadly, what is needed to ensure that science and diplomacy come together in working towards global goals and the common good? In answering these questions, the course explores science diplomacy in the context of the sustainable development goals (SDGs), the science-policy interface, practices of ‘boundary spanning’, and anticipation of future science policy interactions.
This course is aimed at diplomats and staff of international organisations, on the one hand, and scientists on the other. It makes an explicit effort to bring together both groups to engage in a dialogue that is crucial in working towards reaching the SDGs. The course will also benefit academics and NGO representatives working on the intersection of science and policy.