Science Diplomacy in Times of Conflict

Science Diplomacy in Times of Conflict

In collaboration with the International Science Council and PSIA, the students of Stéphanie Balme’s Science Diplomacy course organized a graduate seminar on the topic of Science Diplomacy in times of conflict on 12 May 2023 at Sciences Po. The seminar covered the application of Science Diplomacy in different areas and stages of conflict.

In today's time of de-globalization, post-truth society, and emerging conflicts, Science Diplomacy can play an important role in building bridges between nations, promoting trust and cooperation, and addressing global challenges that transcend political boundaries. Science diplomacy can use scientific collaboration as a means of promoting diplomatic relations between countries, even in times of conflict. However, there are still concerns and questions about the effectiveness of Science Diplomacy, and ways in which we can improve the application of Science Diplomacy and its potentials. The discussions showed: effective Science Diplomacy needs committed individuals who are willing to give their all.

For this reason, many interesting personalities accepted the invitation and discussed their experience in the field of Science Diplomacy with guests and students.

For the students, the event was a great success and a wonderful opportunity to evaluate their theoretical knowledge with experts from the field.

The discussions put forward by the speakers have emphasized the crucial role of scientific cooperation in addressing global challenges, promoting peace and rebuilding Ecosystems. After all, science clearly provides a perfect framework for intercultural interaction. Or as the Dean of PSIA Arancha Gonzalez put it in her keynote: “Science may become a light for diplomats, to guide them through the dark.”

Organized by students of the class "Science Diplomacy: the next frontline to global challenges?" taught at PSIA by Professor Stéphanie Balme: Urjasvi Ahlawat, Clara Gandola, Tina Hannani, Myriam Limam, Leon Niemeyer, Genevieve Scanlan, Priya Shakthi M, Vanshita Suryavanshi>.

In collaboration with the International Science Council.

Program and Guest Speakers 

14:00-14:30 | Welcoming remarks & introduction

• Representants of the Graduate Seminar Group: Tina Hannani & Vanshita Suryanshi, PSIA
• Arancha Gonzalez, Dean of PSIA, Sciences Po
• Mathieu Denis, Senior Director, International Science Council

14:30-16:00 | Panel 1: The Role of Science Diplomacy in Preventing Conflicts and/or Protecting Scientific Ecosystems

• Moderators : Genevieve Scanlan & Vanshita Suryanshi, PSIA
• The Case of India-Pakistan Conflict: Can India’s Climate Diplomacy be used to ease years of hostility, Priya Shakthi M, PSIA
• Preventive Diplomacy: Can Science Diplomacy Lead to Cooperation in the South China Sea? James Borton, Senior Fellow, SAIS Foreign Policy Institute, Johns Hopkins University (zoom)
• Preventive Diplomacy: Can Science Diplomacy Lead to Cooperation in the G3 (US-EU-China) dynamics, Stéphanie Balme, Sciences Po University College Dean, PSIA Professor, Science Diplomacy instructor
• Q&A session 

16:00-17:30 | Panel 2: Reimagining the role of Science Diplomacy in times of armed conflicts

• Moderators: Tina Hannani & Clara Gandola, PSIA
• Rebuilding Iraq’s Scientific Ecosystem and the role of Science Diplomacy in Reconnecting Iraq with the World, Heike Wendt, Professor, Karl-Franzens-Universitat Graz
• The Role of Science Diplomacy in Rebuilding a Scientific Ecosystem under an Authoritarian Government : the case of Syria, Radwan Ziadeh, political scientist and researcher in the Arab world, director of the Damascus center of Human Rights studies in Syria (zoom), & Pascal Butterlin, Professor of Near Eastern Archaeology at Paris 1 Pantheon-Sorbonne University, UNESCO expert concerning archaeological sites in Syria and Iraq (zoom)
• Q&A session 

17:30-18:20 | Panel 3: The role of Science Diplomacy in Protecting and Rebuilding Scientific Ecosystems

• Moderators : Priya Shakthi M & Urjasvi Ahlawat, PSIA
• Science Diplomacy and Scientific Sanctions, Karly Kehoe, Professor of History and Canada Research Chair in Atlantic Canada Communities, member of ISC, founder and lead of the RSC’s At-Risk and Displaced Academics and Artists (ARDAA) program
• Research at Risk: Supporting Ukrainian Students and Researchers, Pascale Laborier, Première vice-présidente, Université Paris Lumières, PAUSE
• Q&A Session

18:20-18:30 | Concluding Note

• Leon Niemeyer & Myriam Limam, PSIA