ASSAf-TWAS-AAAS 2020 Regional Workshop on Science Diplomacy (Fully Funded)

Application Deadline: 5 March 2020.

The American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS), Washington, DC, USA, and The World Academy of Sciences (TWAS), Trieste, Italy, are seeking candidates to participate in the AAAS-TWAS Course on Science Diplomacy to be held in Trieste from 10 to 13 July 2020.

The American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS), Washington DC, USA, and The World Academy of Sciences (TWAS), Trieste, Italy are seeking candidates to participate in the course on science diplomacy to be held in Trieste, Italy, from 10 to 13 July 2020.

Two trends are becoming clear in the early part of this century; the majority of challenges facing society have a transboundary, international, or global context; and science, technology and their applications underpin the cause or the cure to these challenges. As a result, science and technology are becoming ever more embedded into the foreign policies and international relations of nations.

At the same time, cooperation in science and technology is increasingly benefiting from both the technical and political interactions between states. For example, establishing large-scale infrastructure projects in physics or astronomy requires both scientific exchange and diplomatic agreements. In addition to facilitating cooperative multilateral projects, science cooperation can play an important role in establishing trust and building bridges between nations, even in instances when political relations are strained.

Given the growing role of science and technology in international relations, AAAS and TWAS established a partnership in 2011 focused on science diplomacy training and engagement between the North and the South, including our annual summer course on science diplomacy. 

This course will expose participants to key contemporary international policy issues relating to science, technology, environment and health, while providing an overview of how technical information has contributed to different policy developments and international structures. Another focus of the course will be a better understanding of, and appreciation for, the roles of governments, international organizations and the private sector in complex science-based issues, and how different governance structures are developed to address the needs and involvement of these different stakeholders.

PARTICIPANTS

The workshop is designed for (1) young scientists (below the age of 40) living and working in developing countries whose research and wider engagement has brought them into the international policy-making arena, (2) policymakers and diplomats interested in some of the central science-based themes that might influence their work, (3) research institution administrators and research funders focused on identifying ways to build international networks, and (4) representatives from NGOs and other sectors working at the science-diplomacy interface.

Alumni will join a global network of young leaders and innovators reaching across borders to address societal challenges and become agents of change in their countries and sectors.

APPLICATION AND SELECTION PROCESS 

• Travel, accommodation and visa expenses will be provided to the selected participants.
• Spaces are reserved for a number of young scientists from developing countries (up to the age of 40), as well as scientists and/or government officials, etc, also from developing countries, with more experience in the international policymaking arena (‘science diplomacy ambassadors’).
• A limited number of spaces for self-funded candidates from any country will also be available.
• Women are especially encouraged to apply.
• Deadline for sending applications is 5 March 2020.
• The completed application should be sent via the online system ONLY. Submission of applications by email cannot be accepted.
• To access the online application form click HERE.
• An expert committee will be established by TWAS and AAAS to review the applications received.
• Successful candidates will be informed in April.
• For more information on the science and diplomacy programme, please see http://twas.org/science-diplomacy.
• For any queries contact sciencediplomacy@twas.org

NB: Candidates who apply for this call can also apply to the TWAS-ASM Regional Workshop on Science Diplomacy to be held in Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia) but – if selected – they would only be invited to one of these workshops

For More Information:

Visit the Official Webpage of the ASSAf-TWAS-AAAS 2020 Regional Workshop on Science Diplomacy