The UfM promotes the potential of science diplomacy in the Mediterranean

• 30 chief scientists and senior advisors for research centers, universities, governments and public agencies from across the world gathered in Barcelona to reinforce their skills, knowledge and network on science & technology diplomacy.
• The first edition of the Summer School on science and technology diplomacy jointly delivered by the Barcelona Science and Technology Diplomacy Hub and the Barcelona Institute of International Studies was concluded with a keynote address of UfM Secretary General Nasser Kamel.

Barcelona, 5 July 2019. The UfM actively took part in the first edition of the Science and Technology Diplomacy Summer School which gathered over 30 chief science officers and senior advisors for foreign affairs of research centers, universities, governments and public agencies from across the world.

The summer school was organised by the Barcelona Science and Technology Diplomacy Hub (SciTech DiploHub) and the Barcelona Institute for International Studies (IBEI) from 1 to 5 July in Barcelona with the objective to train the next cohort of leaders of a field that is increasingly essential to tackle global challenges. A special emphasis was put on Europe and the Mediterranean.

In his keynote speech at the closing ceremony of the summer school, the UfM Secretary General Nasser Kamel highlighted the essential contribution of science diplomacy to regional integration and stability efforts in the Mediterranean. “Our region is faced with a number of common challenges that far exceed the capacity of unilateral efforts, and need to be informed by scientific data and research to identify innovative solutions. The potential of science can be further leveraged to strengthen regional cooperation as a means to creating more opportunities for all Mediterranean people and in particular its youth and women” declared UfM Secretary General, recalling that “higher education and research lie at the heart of the UfM mandate since its inception“.

On 3 July, the participants of the Summer School had the opportunity to visit the UfM headquarters in Barcelona to learn more about the UfM as an action-oriented institution dedicated to enhancing regional cooperation, including its methodology and contribution to building the Mediterranean chapter of the Sustainable Development Goals.

During a specific afternoon session on “Re-thinking Euro‑Mediterranean cooperation in Science Diplomacy”, Senior Deputy Secretary General for Energy and Climate Action, Jorge Borrego, Deputy Secretary General for Water and Environment Miguel Garcia-Herraiz and Head of Sector for Higher Education and Research Emmanuelle Gardan presented how science diplomacy is integral to the UfM methodology, through its sectorial multi-stakeholder policy dialogue platforms. The “climate change expert group”, for example, brings together government and academia representatives, with the active participation of the Network of Mediterranean Experts on Climate and Environmental Change MEDECC .

See also:

Interview with Commissioner Moedas: https://ufmsecretariat.org/interview/interview-with-comissioner-carlos-moedas/