Programme / I. A - Connecting Scientists with Policy and Diplomacy for Peace and Sustainable Development

Science, technology, and innovation (STI) are recognized drivers of economic growth and prosperity.  But there is also the broader importance of science to citizenry by fostering objective and informed policies and guiding policy implementation.

To this end, scientists must engage with the local, national and international policy processes to help devise sustainable solutions to global challenges. The core scientific principles of transparency and universality are adaptable to building peace and sustainable development. But how does this work in practice?

This session will feature a panel discussion with experts from multiple countries, sectors and stakeholders currently working to expand science and technology (S&T) policy capacity at the national and international levels through fellowships and other science policy connection mechanisms.

This session will address the need to engage and nurture a new generation of global scientific leaders eager to meet current and future demand at the science-policy interface.  Strategies to accomplish this will be discussed  - with special emphasis on the Middle East - and include: expanding the availability of and access to immersive science-policy connection mechanisms; enhancing the training of STEM leaders to include policy-relevant skill sets; and the importance of international cooperation in building science policy capacity as an emerging dimension of science diplomacy.