TODAYS WORLD of ever increasing challenges faced by humankind related to water, food, energy, climate change, diseases, political tensions, terrorism, etc. require worldwide collaborations to find sustainable solutions. Science diplomacy is one of the instruments to tackle these complex global issues, but it can also help improve foreign policy and reduce tensions between countries.

Commonly, Science diplomacy is used for international collaborations by scientists between two or more countries. These collaborations encourage the governments to cooperate with each other for mutual benefit. It is particularly helpful, where diplomatic relations are tense due to political disagreements. Therefore, in order to address national priorities and global challenges, many countries around the world have gradually begun to develop strategies for improved relationships with other countries through science diplomacy approach. Science attaches in diplomatic missions in other countries also play a role in these partnerships through meetings with host scientists and promoting their own countrys diplomatic objectives overseas through science diplomacy. They also facilitate international exchanges by acquiring and providing useful information about host countrys science scenario advancing scientific and diplomatic goals simultaneously.

The term Science Diplomacy may be relatively new but the idea is not. As early as 1931, the International Council of Scientific Unions, (ICSU) now the International Council of Science was created for joint scientific cooperation. Its members represent 140 countries and 31 international, disciplinary Scientific Unions. From the beginning, it has been facilitating and mobilizing the knowledge and resources of the international science community. ICSU has also played an important role in promoting interaction among scientists regardless of race, citizenship and political stance towards the development of scientific solutions to the global challenges.

In 1964, the late Dr Abdus Salam, Nobel Prize¬ winner established the highly prestigious International Center for Theoretical Physics (now Abdus Salam International Centre for Theoretical Physics) in Trieste, Italy, which has strengthened scientific ties amongst several countries. The centre since its establishment has enabled thousands of researchers across the world to assemble at one place, interact with each other and develop linkages. Dr. Abdus Salam also founded TWAS at ICTP in 1985, which has since been providing venue and opportunities for scientists from developing countries to engage with scientists around the world.

Another example is that of scientific exchanges between the U.S and the then Soviet Union throughout the Cold War. These collaborations linked the two countries when official diplomatic relations were non-existent. Today, the U.S. and Russia are jointly working on International Space research. Despite political tensions, the USA-Cuba cooperation in marine science has also been strong as the issue is important to both of them.

Yet another example is that of Chinese and UK Scientists who were able to undertake research on a big volcano in 2013 in North Korea. Similarly, the European Union has imposed many sanctions on Russia, but one area where they maintain good relations is the area of scientific research and innovation, where Russia plays a very active ole.

Japan has strategically developed its international SandT activities with developed countries whereas on the other hand promoted regional cooperation with the East Asian countries to promote the cross-border flow of people, goods, and capital to enhance RandD efforts and collaborative research to address common issues in Asia. Several capacity building and joint research programmes are sponsored by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), the Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (JSPS) and the Japan Science and Technology Agency (JST) that target regional and global issues. Thus, Japan is also an active player in foreign scientific collaborations.

In South Africa, before the creation of the Department of S and T in 2002 its scientists worked in isolation. After 2002, the country developed international collaborations in science and technology, to overcome the impact of isolation and for its capacity building. Deployment of Science diplomacy has strengthened international cooperation in SandT and has enhanced economic development and competitiveness. South Africa now has SandT cooperation with American, Asian, African, European countries, international donors, etc. Through these partnerships, South Africa has also been able to support and build Africas science and technology capacities. Thus, South Africa acts both as a recipient of development aid from the developed world and as a donor by providing aid to strengthen other African countries science capacities.

European Organization for Nuclear Research (CERN), an organization formed to build the foundations for European science after the World War II by bringing together former enemies, is yet another example. At present, CERN is mainly run by European countries but many non-European countries are also involved in different ways. Scientists from more than 600 institutes / universities around the world use CERNs facilities. Its way of advancing science, unrestricted by geographic and political borders, allows CERN to create bridges between cultures and foster peaceful SandT cooperation among people and countries around the world.

SESAME (Synchrotron-light for Experimental Science and Applications in the Middle East) was launched in 2003 under the auspices of UNESCO on the model of CERN to enhance scientific excellence and build a culture of cooperation and peace through scientific links and collaborations. Its members among other countries include Cyprus, Egypt, Iran, Israel, Jordan, Pakistan, the Palestinian Authority and Turkey, and even though some of these countries are not on friendly terms, but their scientists and researchers work together to achieve a common goal.

As a result of such establishments, the number of scientific publications co-authored internationally and mobility of researchers has increased. Moreover, these research organizations are meeting the global challenges including various aspects of international peacebuilding. Scientists are playing the important role in confidence-building contributing for conflict management, despite political tensions. Moreover, scientific conferences are also playing an important role in international cooperation programmes as well as world peace through science diplomacy.

Today, the awareness about benefits of Science Diplomacy is growing. The example was set by the developed countries but now developing countries like Pakistan, where world-class resources are limited, are also following. Pakistan has, to some extent, joined the world by learning from good practices and collaborative programmes with the US under the USAID umbrella, with France, with CERN, with Germany and others, but more international linkages and partnerships are needed for acquiring scientific wealth, technological know-how and learning different approaches to solving problems and peace building.

Science diplomacy can offer confidence and help in building international-level scientific capacity in developing countries. It can show positive outcomes, such as an increase in the number and quality of research articles of developing country researchers, greater engagement with the international science community, increased participation at scientific conferences and above all ease political tensions. So lets explore the avenues of science diplomacy to build bridges between people, institutions and nations and promote world peace and trust among countries.

The author is Director at Pakistan Scientific and Technological Information Center

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