TÜBA&AASSA International Symposium on Science Diplomacy for Sustainable Development
The international symposium titled "Science Diplomacy for Sustainable Development" was held at Hacettepe University Cultural Center in cooperation with TÜBA and the Association of Asian Science Academies and Societies (AASSA).
In the symposium, which was planned to create a roadmap to discover and use the power of science diplomacy to overcome the challenges facing the world, many experts, policymakers, diplomats, representatives of regional organizations, scientists, researchers, members of science academies and societies and many names from the world of academia came together with a comprehensive approach to sustainable development. Dr. E. William Colglazier from the Center for Science Diplomacy of the American Association for the Advancement of Science and Prof. Hüseyin Şeker from Birmingham City University delivered the opening speeches of the 2-day symposium, which was attended by nearly 30 scientists from different countries of the world in 5 sessions. Hacettepe University Vice Rector Prof. Sibel Aksu Yıldırım made a welcoming speech.
We recognize the vital role of science in promoting peace, security and prosperity.
TÜBA President Prof. Muzaffer Şeker said that in an era when global problems such as pandemics, climate change, migration and environmental pollution know no national borders, the need for international cooperation has never been more urgent. TÜBA President Prof. Dr. Muzaffer Şeker said that science diplomacy, by its very nature, transcends political divisions and paves the way for collaborative efforts and the development of innovative solutions and policies that promote sustainable development and ensure a better future for all.
Diplomacy is peaceful and public.
AASSA President Prof. A. Nuri Yurdusev said that diplomacy has traditionally been defined as a peaceful activity carried out by official representatives on behalf of legal-political entities within any international system, but today it has gone beyond this narrow scope. "Diplomacy is now practiced not only by legal-political entities of states but also by other entities and even non-state entities. Moreover, the scope of diplomacy has expanded beyond the high-political affairs to which it was traditionally confined, to cover a wide range of issues of social life. In this context, scientific organizations, scientific cooperation and sustainable development have also become part of diplomacy." he said.
Science and engineering diplomacy is essential to manage technology.
Dr. E. William Colglazier of The American Association for the Advancement of Science's Center for Science Diplomacy published "Science Diplomacy for Sustainable Development: Successes and Challenges" and pointed out that with the acceleration of the scientific and technological revolution, science and engineering diplomacy has become increasingly important. He noted that technology offers great opportunities but also poses extraordinary threats and challenges. He said that science and engineering diplomacy is essential to recognize and manage opportunities, problems and crises.
Science diplomacy stands at a crucial point in solving complex problems.
In his speech titled "Enabling and Strengthening Science Diplomacy through Big Data, Artificial Intelligence and Digital Transformation", Prof. Dr. Hüseyin Şeker from Birmingham City University underlined that in an increasingly interconnected world, national and global challenges such as climate change, epidemics, food and water security, conflicts and socio-economic inequalities require coordinated and innovative solutions. "Science diplomacy stands at a crucial juncture in solving complex problems, including these and more. But it needs to integrate all possible tools on a global scale. The convergence of big data, artificial intelligence (AI) and digital transformation is significantly strengthening science diplomacy and providing advanced tools and methodologies that enable global collaboration for informed decision-making and more effective actions."
