Increasing Awareness of Science Diplomacy in the Mediterranean
27 to 29 October 2021. An Online Workshop entitled “Increasing Awareness of Science Diplomacy in The Mediterranean” was held by the UfM from 27 to 29 October with the support of CREAF. This training programme was aimed at exploring how regional multi-stakeholder cooperation across the Mediterranean can help achieve long-term sustainability and prosperity in the region through science and innovation.
With more than 20 speakers and 100 registered participants across the Mediterranean region, this training showed a strong interest from all stakeholders in deploying Science Diplomacy as a policy tool at the service of regional dialogue.
Participants came from ministries, diplomatic missions, international organisations, higher education institutions, research centres, NGOs, and civil society and the private sector organisations based or operating in the Mediterranean basin.
During its three sessions, participants were provided with in-depth knowledge, skills, practical tools, and networking opportunities to put science diplomacy into action for the benefit of the Mediterranean.
The first day was devoted to visualizing the emerging framework for Science Diplomacy in the Mediterranean, with an emphasis on climate and environment, with the participation of high-level speakers from the European Commission and FAO.
On the second day, participants were invited to ponder on the challenges and opportunities for Science Diplomacy in the Mediterranean in a variety of fields, such as marine biodiversity, sustainable food systems, water, or migration; furthermore, the new Mediterranean Research Agenda established in the framework of the UfM Platform on Research and Innovation was presented – with its goal of promoting cooperation in the fields of health, renewable energies and climate change. An interesting experience of providing scientific advice to the European External Action Service (EEAS) about health and environmental issues was also showcased.
The third day was dedicated to the role of women in science and decision-making processes and at presenting existing tools aimed at upskilling scientific and diplomatic communities to respond to regional challenges.
This workshop builds on the activities launched in December 2020, in partnership with S4D4C.
The UfM will ensure the follow-up of this activity next year with the aim of establishing a Mediterranean Science Diplomacy Hub.
