On Wednesday, 20 November 2024, ASEF organised an official Side Event to the World Science Forum taking place between 20-23 November 2024, in Budapest, Hungary – hosted by the Hungarian Academy of Sciences. ASEF was also present during the week in Budapest to contribute to regional conferences on collaboration in academia. This participation was organised as part of the Asia-Europe Science & Technology Diplomacy Initiative.
REGIONAL CONFERENCES ON COLLABORATION IN ACADEMIA
On 18-19 November, we collaborated with the Central European Scientific Society of Innovation and Technology (CESSIT), the Tempus Public Foundation (TPF), the Association of Hungarian PhD and DLA Candidates (DOSZ), the Corvinus University of Budapest (CUB), Ludovika University of Public Service and Edutus University in organising two conference days on academic collaboration of young researchers and science & technology diplomacy. The conferences engage young academics to exchange knowledge and experience, and explore together the future of university research collaboration in the field of science & technology diplomacy. These conferences are organised under the Erasmus+ project – CatalySD – Catalysing Science Diplomacy: New Career Perspectives, Curricula & International Partnerships.
The speakers highlighted the importance of science and technology diplomacy and how countries should utilise their individual resources and strengths to engage in international collaboration to tackle further national interests as well as to tackle global challenges.
On Tuesday, 19 November we joined the conference on ‘Collaboration & Competitiveness: The Future of Science, Technology, and Innovation’
The programme was filled with interesting perspectives on Science, Technology and Innovation (STI) Diplomacy – spanning from discussions on the definition of Science Diplomacy, its history and what the future may hold for development in the field.
We joined the conference with representatives from the Asia-Europe Science & Technology Diplomacy Initiative to bring in the Asia-Europe perspectives. Our delegation of young diplomats & researchers, having worked on the Asia-Europe Science & Technology Diplomacy Report, presented their ideas on ‘The Future of STI Diplomacy’, sharing also local insights on STI diplomacy in Cambodia, India, and Malaysia in Asia, as well as Romania in Europe.
Vongmonasekar VUTHY (Cambodia), Vihang Vivek JUMLE (India), Elaine YEAP (Malaysia), and Ferenc TÖRÖK (Romania) covered topics such as the importance of making STI attractive for diplomats to engage in; how the priorities we make in the field today will shape the STI landscape of tomorrow; using STI Diplomacy to address global challenges such as climate change and food security; and how cooperation between institutions and states is crucial for the future of STI Diplomacy.
THE WORLD SCIENCE FORUM
On Wednesday, 20 November 2024, we successfully organised an official Side Event to the World Science Forum taking place in Budapest, Hungary between 20-23 November 2024 hosted by the Hungarian Academy of Sciences.
The panel discussion on ‘Bridging Continents & Advancing Science: The Future of Asia-Europe Science Diplomacy’ presented key findings from the Asia-Europe Science & Technology Diplomacy Report. This comprehensive report maps over 40 different countries’ strategies, priorities, and policy tools related to science and technology diplomacy across Asia and Europe.
During the discussion, esteemed panellists shared valuable insights from their countries and regions based on their findings, highlighting similarities and differences in approaches to science diplomacy and examining how these variations manifest across different sectors and regions. They also emphasised the role of youth in contributing to the scientific and diplomatic community with new perspectives and innovative solutions. Their insights help to promote enhanced collaboration, not only within each region but also between Asia and Europe, ultimately contributing to a more integrated global scientific community.
Thank you to our moderator Zane ŠIME (Latvia) and our speakers Olivia GEYMOND (France), Maxim VANDEKERCKHOVE (Belgium), Bálint SZABÓ (Hungary), Kotchaphan BOWONCHAIYARIT (Thailand), Chi Ha TRAN (Viet Nam), and Kana ASANO (Japan) for your contributions to these discussions and to the Asia-Europe Science & Technology Diplomacy Report.
*Photos above were taken by the official photographers of the World Science Forum
Read more about the World Science Forum here.
You can also catch the recording of the Full Session below:
WHAT IS THE ASIA-EUROPE SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY DIPLOMACY INITIATIVE?
The Asia-Europe Science & Technology Initiative is a new project of ASEF’s Education Department which conducts research and connects academics, diplomats, professionals and students engaged in international collaborations related to science, technology, and innovation in Asia and Europe.
The project offers a unique opportunity for Asia-Europe cooperation on emerging trends and strategies in the field of Science Technology Diplomacy. Read more about the Asia-Europe Science & Technology Diplomacy Initiative here.