Diplomacy Meets Science: Negotiating Responsible and Inclusive Growth

Abstract

Collaborative scientific global programs concerning the well-being of humanity engage and challenge scientists, diplomats, civil society, entrepreneurs, governments, and others in sharing visions, negotiating dispute resolution, and finding common solutions to global issues. The improvement of scientific cooperation to foster and improve foreign policy and to drive economic and diplomatic strategies is a challenging exercise. To better manage differences and avoid endless discussion and hard bargaining among scientists and diplomats calls for the implementation of conflict resolution mechanisms, negotiating behaviors, and interpersonal skills. This chapter will try to understand the way negotiation can be used to improve the cooperation in this field. More precisely, we will focus on whether science diplomacy can be a useful tool to strategically boost development in international relations while fostering public engagement and improving the well-being of citizens.

I love science, and it pains me to think that so many are terrified of the subject or feel that choosing science means that you cannot also choose compassion, or the arts, or be awed by nature. Science is not meant to cure us of mystery, but to reinvent and reinvigorate it.

—Robert M. Sapolsky, Why Zebras Don’t Get Ulcers, p. XII

We’re working with Muslim communities around the world to promote science and education and innovation.

—President Barak Obama, State of the Union Address, 2010

Scientists need to inform politicians in a simple manner that can be readily understood, but the message must always be scientifically exact. In reality, little of what we know as scientists is politically interesting or even understandable.

—Bert Bolin, 2007, First Chair of the IPCC (1988–1997)