|
||||||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||
|
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Below are the first 10 and last 10 pages of uncorrected machine-read text (when available) of this chapter, followed by the top 30 algorithmically extracted key phrases from the chapter as a whole.
Intended to provide our own search engines and external engines with highly rich, chapter-representative searchable text on the opening pages of each chapter.
Because it is UNCORRECTED material, please consider the following text as a useful but insufficient proxy for the authoritative book pages.
Do not use for reproduction, copying, pasting, or reading; exclusively for search engines.
OCR for page 1
Overview
At the request of the Executive Office of the President, Office
of Science and Technology Policy, the National Academies held a
workshop in Washington, DC, in February 2011, to assess effective
ways to meet international challenges through sound science policy
and science diplomacy. To gain U.S. and international perspectives on
these issues, representatives from Brazil, Bangladesh, Egypt, Germany,
Jamaica, Kazakhstan, Malaysia, Morocco, Rwanda, South Africa, and
Syria attended the workshop, as well as two of the most recently named
U.S. science envoys, Rita Colwell and Gebisa Ejeta.
Workshop participants discussed many of the characteristics of
science, such as its common language and methods; the open, self-
correcting nature of research; the universality of the most important
questions; and its respect for evidence. These common aspects not
only make science inherently international but also give science special
capacities in advancing communication and cooperation.
Many workshop participants pointed out that, while advancing
global science and science diplomacy are distinct, they are comple-
mentary, and making them each more effective often involves similar
measures. Since the term science diplomacy has been used in various
ways, many workshop participants pointed out the importance of clear
and transparent motives for cooperation. Diplomacy is often understood
to mean activity of governments rather than individuals. International
scientific engagement, on the other hand, is often the work of individual
scientists who seek to contribute to global understanding and human
welfare. Therefore, some participants suggested it may sometimes be
more accurate to use the term global science cooperation rather than
science diplomacy. Other participants indicated that science diplomacy
1
OCR for page 2
2 U.S. AND INTERNATIONAL PERSPECTIVES ON GLOBAL SCIENCE POLICY
is, in many situations, a clear and useful concept, recounting remarkable
historical cases of the effective use of international scientific cooperation
in building positive governmental relationships and dealing with sensi -
tive and urgent problems.
Discussions on science policy and science diplomacy over the two
days of the workshop showed a considerable overlap:
Changing Research Environment
Many of the initial speakers at the workshop noted major changes in
the way science and technology, including the large fraction of technology
development and transfer done in the private sector, now proceed on a
“global platform” rather than national platforms. An increasing number
of technical advances, trained researchers and innovators, and research
opportunities are found in other countries. U.S. research and education
policies and practices, established many years ago, no longer reflect cur-
rent realities and opportunities.
Preparing U.S. Researchers for International Science
There is an increasing role for science policy in dealing with science
issues that are global by nature, such as climate change, biodiversity,
food security, and energy. To respond to those challenges, many speakers
and discussants noted, U.S. systems need to provide opportunities and
incentives for U.S. researchers to be prepared to operate effectively in
the international arena. This may include encouraging researchers to
develop language and intercultural skills in preparation for and through
international exchanges. It may also require sustained engagement to
build personal and institutional relationships globally.
To encourage such engagement, some participants said that funding
agencies should have flexible mechanisms that allow joint support for
international projects, along with other innovations to reflect changing
research opportunities. It is especially important to encourage sustained
linkages between individual laboratories and with industry, both nation-
ally and internationally.
Engaging Early Career Researchers
Workshop participants repeatedly recognized the importance of
international research cooperation among early career scientists and
engineers. Many noted that relationships built through such collabora -
tion can last for decades to come and benefit scientific and technological
progress.
OCR for page 3
3
OVERVIEW
Building Global Science Capacity
Effectively advancing science and its beneficial applications, several
participants noted, involves actions by the United States and partners
around the world, including:
• Developing research agendas that have a potential major effect on
human welfare in developing countries;
• Bringing the talents of girls and women around the world into
science and technology;
• Helping developing countries to be effective partners and to
develop and retain scientific talent through national science and technol-
ogy programs and the commitment of resources; and
• Recognizing and encouraging accomplishments in developing
countries.
Learning from Industry
Given the increasing role of the private sector in the research arena,
some workshop participants encouraged innovative public–private
partnerships. They argued that governments in particular should try
to leverage the experience of industry and apply the private sector’s
entrepreneurial and flexible spirit to governmental agencies. There is
also a need for more university–industry partnerships nationally and
internationally, they said, which can effectively contribute to educational
training and technology transfer.
Responsible Science
Several participants pointed out that in a rapidly changing research
environment involving unprecedented volumes of data and intense com-
petitive pressure, continued work is needed to assure the necessary
institutional basis for scientific cooperation. This particularly includes a
common understanding of scientific integrity and responsibility.
Global Connectivity
Some discussants commented that growing global connectivity can
dramatically accelerate cooperation and thereby expand the scale of
scientific programs, highlighting the critical role of global connectivity
for both developed and developing countries. Many pointed out that,
while it is important to make efficient use of new information technolo-
gies and social media tools to implement new partnerships, they cannot
replace face-to-face meetings.
OCR for page 4
4 U.S. AND INTERNATIONAL PERSPECTIVES ON GLOBAL SCIENCE POLICY
Visa and Travel Restrictions
Many participants stated that visa and other travel policies need
to encourage, not hinder, the initiation and continuation of scientific
cooperation. They expressed concern that real and perceived visa prob -
lems can have serious repercussions, such as an increasing number of
researchers looking for opportunities in other countries instead of the
United States.
Application of Science Diplomacy
Workshop presentations, summaries of experiences, and discussions
included many examples in which scientific cooperation or contact
between technical experts had major value in building bridges and posi-
tive relationships in otherwise difficult international situations.
Several participants also acknowledged the capacity for cooperative
activity in many U.S. government departments and technical agencies,
as well as in private–public science partnerships, and emphasized that,
to realize the benefits of science diplomacy on a large scale, institutional
resources are necessary―such as staffing in both Washington, DC, and
U.S. embassies. Other participants noted that science, when mobilized
as a means of governmental diplomacy, should be carried out consistent
with essential scientific methods, such as balanced consideration of all
relevant evidence.
This report, structured according to the workshop agenda into
a section on U.S. Policy for Global Science and one on Science for
Diplomacy—Diplomacy for Science, presents the workshop discussions
on these issues in more detail.
