Tackling global challenges through science diplomacy

What framework can young academics use to translate scientific knowledge into political and diplomatic processes? How can they leverage science diplomacy to contribute to solving global challenges? These and other aspects of science diplomacy were addressed by young scientists at the beginning of June in Bern during a two-day ENYA meeting, the annual gathering of European young academies. They discussed the roles, responsibility and diplomatic skills of scientists during a stimulating program, including an interactive exchange, an in-depth public session, expert panel discussions, and participatory workshops.

The relevance of science diplomacy was recently highlighted in the report "On Science for Policy and Diplomacy Education in Switzerland and Beyond: A Brief Overview”  published by the Swiss Young Network for Science Policy and Diplomacy (SYNESPOD), a project group of the Swiss Young Academy (SYA). The authors pointed out that urgent international challenges, such as global pandemics or the climate crisis, should be addressed through the combined scientific, political, and diplomatic efforts. Educational opportunities in the area of science for policy and diplomacy are, however, limited in Switzerland and Europe and on a global level. Switzerland's position as a neutral platform for scientific and diplomatic exchange stimulates broader engagement of the (inter)national community, including young academics.

Science for policy and diplomacy as a driver of change

During the opening session on science diplomacy at the ENYA meeting, chaired by Darius Farman (SYA member), Nicolas Seidler, Head of the Geneva Science Diplomacy Interface (GSPI), emphasised the responsibility of science diplomacy. He indicated that science can address global challenges, such as those related to the environment, space research, geopolitical crises, equity, and more: "The leverage which science can apply has never been as powerful as it is today." Moreover, the need for action is extensive, as indicated in the latest UN Report on SDGs. However, science does not just provide advice to addressing global issues, it is also a driver of change, and this is particularly evident today in the emerging fields such as AI and space technology. According to Seidler, science diplomacy is generally described as the mutual impact of science on diplomacy and diplomacy on science. Seidler indicated that scientific relations have been used at an early stage for foreign policy purposes. Science diplomacy gained momentum during the Cold War, as illustrated by the founding of CERN in Geneva in 1954 alongside other international initiatives. It was also strengthened with the global awareness of the issues associated with the depletion of the ozone layer in the 1970s. Science has become an increasing part of the world of diplomacy since the turn of the millennium, as evident in the awarding of the Nobel Peace Prize to the IPCC in 2007, and the formulation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in 2015. This refers to all three dimensions that are commonly used to describe the term "science diplomacy". Specifically, scientific cooperation contributes to the promotion of a more peaceful world through, for example, science cooperation (science for diplomacy), as illustrated by CERN. Scientific findings can also provide a basis for foreign policy decisions (science in diplomacy), one example being the IPCC. Finally, international cooperation serves scientific research (diplomacy for science).  The contemporary global challenges require a definition that describes the diverse relations across the multiple dimensions of science and diplomacy: "This facilitates a strengthened focus on the process, rather than on the end goal - and takes into account the complexity of the interactions".

Strengthening scientific relations

Following the introduction to science diplomacy, Philippe Roesle, working at the interface between science and diplomacy, currently in Shanghai as CEO and Consul of Swissnex in China, provided insights into what science diplomacy looks like in practice. He illustrated in his presentation how Swissnex, the global Swiss education, research and innovation network, strengthens science diplomacy by networking researchers and identifying opportunities and promising cooperation areas.

For example, Swissnex in China staged the Climate Ring Shanghai during the Shanghai Climate Week in April 2025 - a boxing ring in which workshops and other events took place - and which was designed to illustrate the urgency and dynamism required to fight climate change. Roesle also presented the five-day Tech&Ethics: Shaping Digital Integrity programme, and addressed the subject of AI. In Beijing and Shanghai, Swissnex brought Swiss and Chinese researchers together with representatives of the political and economic communities to address questions relating to ethics, law, and society.

Roesle emphasised that interdisciplinary cooperation brings people together, which strengthens scientific relations. "It creates a sense of shared knowledge and trust." The exchange enables Switzerland to learn a lot about China, a global science powerhouse, creating numerous opportunities. The international academic exchange with China therefore remains important as a way to perceive similarities and differences, and windows of possible cooperation. When it comes to collectively addressing the challenges associated with emerging AI or climate change, this cooperation is crucial. 

Science diplomacy as a tool

The current role of science diplomacy and young academics was further explored in a panel discussion, chaired by Jovana V. Milić (member of the SYA and speaker for the SYNESPOD project).

Philippe Roesle emphasised the fluidity of the science diplomacy landscape and encouraged young academics to get involved. "Learn how to communicate with politicians, and look beyond established boundaries. As academics, you have the power to break down barriers.“

The important role played by scientists was also highlighted by Theodota Lagouri, a representative of CERN and the MSCA Network. She reflected on the importance of CERN with respect to global science diplomacy and further encouraged young scientists to engage while investing in their soft skills to ensure their voices are heard. "Science brings nations together. We develop new technologies. We need to cooperate as we strive to create a better future." In this effort, it is also important to give a voice to those underrepresented groups, as "It is important for us to also speak about equality."

Gabriela Ivan from the International Science Council (ISC) reiterated the importance of diversity in science diplomacy from an international perspective: "Diplomacy makes science more effective, as it deepens the exchange. We therefore need to exploit it as an instrument for greater diversity. We need to create bridges and integrate all regions and disciplines through multidisciplinary and global cooperation." Ivan suggested that unconventional means be used to make voices heard through new initiatives and capacity-building for young scientists across disciplines.

When it comes to building capacity and engaging young scientists, Helen Eenmaa, who represented the Young Academies Science Advice Structure (YASAS), pointed at the importance of scientific networks that empower young researchers. She also argued that "scientific advice is an art" and suggested that the current science diplomacy landscape provides a strategic opportunity to redefine our roles and their impact.

The relevance of strengthening networks for science diplomacy was also addressed by Ralf Mitschke of the European Science Diplomacy Alliance (EUSDA) and Bavarian Academic Center for Latin America (BYLAT). He reflected on the impact of networks for science diplomacy and emphasised that it should not only occur in the "major international hubs”, but also " at a grassroots level" while recognizing the broader scientific community, including the Global South. The universal language of science can aid in strengthening international cooperation while building trust with a broad societal impact.

To this end, the dynamic engagement of early- and mid-career researchers in science diplomacy and science-policy interfaces can be transformative, and young scientists are encouraged to actively contribute to tackling pressing challenges. ENYA could provide a powerful platform for addressing some of the obstacles to engagement and translating key ideas and initiatives into meaningful global action.