Programme / Young Researchers Identify Skills of the Future to Advance Science Diplomacy and Society

Young researchers and the communities to which they belong have an important role to play in science diplomacy, promoting peace through the establishment of shared communities and research collaborations. While young researchers across the world are embracing this role, there is an evolution of skills required by researchers to engage in our increasingly complex world. This session will highlight the essential skills of the future that researchers have to develop to advance science diplomacy initiatives and provide transboundary and transdisciplinary science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) innovations to tackle the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and expand career opportunities in the 21st century and beyond. Panel members will present case studies that showcase community- building projects undertaken by young research scientists to promote peace and bridge divides in their countries and regions. These case studies highlight an ever-changing skillset required by researchers in order to have impact on the world around them and the international institutions, such as UNESCO, ICoRSA, GYA, CRDF Global, World Association of Young Scientists (WAYS: Global and Arab region) that enhance and support their initiatives. The Jobs of the Future (JOF) initiative was developed to address the SDGs at the 2015 World Science Forum and has gained support by European Commission to expand its reach and scale to other initiatives and organisations to collaborate. 


Objectives:

To showcase community and peace building efforts of young researchers in an arena where they can interact with high level parliamentarians and policy makers.
2. To present the Jobs of the Future Initiative as a means to highlight the evolving skills ecosystem required for

young researchers to address major societal challenges and the role that different multilateral sectors play to support these researchers.
 To explore the opportunities young researchers have to advance new science diplomacy efforts while expanding and diversifying future career choices.

The Science diplomacy case studies and JOF initiative will showcase how a scientist-driven approach can produce jobs and skills development towards addressing the SDGs and addressing other transnational challenges. The cases highlighted serve as scalable models for similar initiatives around the world. The outcome is designed to empower and inspire young researchers, scientists, engineers and technologists to take proactive roles in their communities drive towards harmonious existence, and assist other stakeholders in the goal of obtaining a peaceful planet. Additionally, the summary of the session will be submitted for publication.