Center News & Events

[2011]

[2010]

[2009]

[2008]

2010

December 8-9, 2010	News
Six African Nations Build a Vision for Regional Prosperity Powered by Science and Science Education Increasing scientific and educational cooperation in East Africa is a key component of regional integration in the region (e.g., East African Community). The conference in Kigali, Rwanda, co-organized by the Rwandan Ministry of Education and AAAS, focused on how regional cooperation and increased commitment to science can advance development of the region. Government leaders at the meeting, representing Burundi, Democratic Republic of Congo, Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania, and Uganda, pledged to establish a permanent forum of science ministers designed to better integrate the nations’ science efforts.
July 2010	News
The AAAS Center for Science Diplomacy releases second Year in Review The Year in Review covers summaries of the events held and publications written from July 2009 - July 2010 by the Center's staff.
June 24-27, 2010	News
Turekian Invited Speaker at Wilton Park Conference Wilton Park held a conference that sought to address the relationship between science diplomacy and governance, development and capacity building, and policy-making and the mechanisms for harnessing science cooperation. [external link]
May 11, 2010	News
AAAS-Led Delegation Visits Myanmar The delegation, led by AAAS Chairman of the Board, Peter Agre, met with Burmese science and academic leaders, revealing Myanmar’s enthusiasm to work with the United States on a range of issues from forestry management to health.
February 20, 2010	News
Science Diplomacy Aids Conflict Reduction [external link]
February 12, 2010	News
New Policy Statement Affirms Science Diplomacy as a Crucial Piece of U.S. Foreign Policy The Partnership for a Secure America (PSA), in conjunction with the U.S. Civilian Research and Development Foundation (U.S. CRDF) and AAAS, officially released a statement on science diplomacy as a crucial component of U.S. foreign policy. The statement is signed by more than twenty distinguished Democrats and Republicans from the diplomacy, national security, and science communities. [external link] Read a related opinion piece in the Baltimore Sun by Ambassador Thomas R. Pickering and AAAS President Dr. Peter Agre.
February 2, 2010	Event
First Look: Pyongyang University of Science and Technology
January 11, 2010	News
Joint Report from the Royal Society and AAAS Released [external link] A joint Royal Society/AAAS science diplomacy report was released on January 11, 2010, during which the UK's Foreign Secretary, David Miliband, spoke about 'A call for convergence: Science and Diplomacy in the modern age'. The report entitled "New frontiers in science diplomacy: Navigating the changing balance of power" discusses the role of science diplomacy today, including barriers, widening the use of science diplomacy, and case studies.

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2009

December 9, 2009	Event
East Africa, Regional Integration, and Scientific Cooperation
December 9, 2009	News
AAAS President Peter Agre Leads Delegation to Democratic People’s Republic of Korea for Talks on Academic Science Collaboration Nobel laureate Peter C. Agre led a delegation of four U.S. organizations to the Democratic People's Republic of Korea for five days of talks on practical academic science exchange and cooperation. The Center for Science Diplomacy’s director, Vaughan Turekian, was also a part of the delegation.
November 10, 2009	News
U.S. Delegation on Science Policy Travels to Cuba A non-governmental U.S. delegation, including AAAS President Peter C. Agre, visited Cuba for discussions on science policy from 10-13 November. Despite a history of tension between the two countries, both Cuban and American scientists have been urging expanded scientific cooperation. Meetings with leading Cuban scientists and policy officials are meant to explore the research issues and multilateral science venues conducive to U.S.-Cuba scientific cooperation.
July 2009	News
The AAAS Center for Science Diplomacy has released its first Year in Review The Year in Review includes summaries of the events held and publications written over the past year by the Center's staff. It also includes the testimony given by AAAS Chief Executive Officer Alan Leshner, on 15 July 2008 to U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Science and Technology, Subcommittee on Research and Science Education, during which he announced the launch of the AAAS Center for Science Diplomacy.
June 1-2, 2009	Event
New Frontiers in Science Diplomacy Related article on the event: "Mapping the Frontiers of Science and Diplomacy"[external link]
May 5, 2009	News
Article: "The Science of Diplomacy" [external link] U.S. President Barack Obama has won over the scientific community. Now, he should adopt their resources and influence for a novel use: bolstering America's foreign policy. Published in Foreign Policy magazine. See also a response letter from U.S. Senator Richard Lugar, and related AAAS news release.
April 13, 2009	Event
U.S.-China Science and Technology Cooperation at 30: Looking Forward (streaming video available)
March 26, 2009	Event
U.S. – Syria Engagement: The Role of Science, Health and Higher Education Cooperation (streaming video available)
March 26, 2009	News
Syria-U.S. Science Diplomacy Yields Agreement to Seek Collaboration in Water, Energy, Agriculture and Other Fields The four day meeting between Syrian officials and U.S. non-governmental representatives in Damascus came at a time of thaw for relations strained by regional politics. Science, especially water use in agriculture and the development of an integrated innovation system, is a priority for the Syrian government in its vision for better cooperation with the U.S. The U.S. delegation visited relevant Syrian facilities then discussed with their Syrian counterparts how the two countries could work together in developing science, health capabilities, and higher education as they build more positive interaction.
March 24, 2009	News
House Science Subcommittee on Research and Science Education: Hearing on Coordination of International Science Partnerships - Testimony by Norman Neureiter [external link] Testifying before the Subcommittee, Norman Neureiter, Senior Advisor to the AAAS Center for Science Diplomacy, spoke to the reestablishment of the Committee on International Science, Engineering and Technology (CISET). Neureiter expressed support for a well staffed CISET as a mechanism of soft power and Congressional backing for S&T cooperation. He cautioned, however, that CISET should leave the role of foreign negotiator to the State Department and take pains not to become a security gate hindering scientific exchange. He also stressed the importance of funds to empower CISET as an effective tool active in international projects and influential with domestic agencies. Hearing transcipt here.
March 17, 2009	Event
A Different Look at North Korea
February 13, 2009	Event
Science for Diplomacy: Building Scientific Cooperation with North Korea
January 30, 2009	News
Editorial: U.S.-China S&T at 30 [external link] Starting with the Agreement of Cooperation in S&T signed between the U.S. and China 30 years ago, scientific education and research exchange between the two countries has been growing steadily. In the face of the U.S. trade deficit, areas of contention such as Taiwan, and China’s military development, all of which leads to mutual mistrust, science cooperation, from increased dialogue and funding to a reform of the U.S. visa system, needs to be a priority in easing tensions. Published in Science magazine.
January 22, 2009	Event
Bridge Building with Iran through Education and Science Cooperation
January 2009	News
Editorial: Building an International Network of Knowledge [external link] Scientific collaboration between the U.S. and Russia goes back to the Cold War and holds increasing potential in a time when common problems eclipse the polarized philosophies of the past. In light of financial crisis and renewed tensions, it is important to focus on the mutual benefits of researching everything from nuclear physics to clean energy. S&T is rising to the fore of global priorities and it is essential Russian-U.S. interaction expands onto the multilateral level, including nations like Cuba and North Korea, and encompasses all parties, from scientists and government officials to the public and individuals. Published in the ISTC newsletter.

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2008 and earlier

October 28, 2008	Event
Science, Diplomacy, and International Cooperation (streaming video available) The conference in Washington, DC, brought many scientific and diplomatic leaders to the AAAS to reevaluate the U.S.’s science diplomacy policy, concluding further efforts were needed to engage countries like Iran, North Korea, and Cuba and repair the nation’s reputation abroad. The discussion also raised unresolved issues such as how involved a government should be in the role of independent initiatives which are so vital to successful science diplomacy. Financial issues and security threats highlight legitimate limitations as well, and must be resolved to realize science diplomacy’s potential as a systematic peace-building tool. Related news article: Influential Diplomats, Lawmakers and S&T Leaders Explore Promise—and Challenge—of Science Diplomacy
July 24, 2008	News
AAAS Opens New Center for Science Diplomacy to “Promote International Understanding and Prosperity” Drawing on a history of scientific diplomacy going back to the Cold War, and growing out of the worldwide respect for U.S. S&T at a time when the U.S. is increasingly unpopular, the new AAAS Center for Science Diplomacy under Vaughan Turekian will spearhead efforts to engage with other countries, even if government-to-government dealings are strained. There is increasing support for science diplomacy by the U.S. government as universities and NGOs like AAAS reach out to countries, from Rwanda to China, and foster balanced, science-based, relationships that build respect and positive interaction.
July 15, 2008	Event
The Role of Non-Governmental Organizations and Universities in International Science and Technology Cooperation
February 9, 2007	News
new article: "Time for a New Era of Science Diplomacy", Science magazine. [external link]

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[Last updated: July 15, 2011]