Research, ideas, and leadership for a more secure, peaceful world
Speaker: Dr. Vaughan Turekian, Chief International Officer and Director, Center for Science Diplomacy at the American Association for the Advancement of Science
As the Obama administration begins formulating its foreign policy, it is doing so at a time when the United States faces severe limits to its global influence - ranging from the financial crisis, economic recession and overstretched military forces in Afghanistan and Iraq. In this context, the foreign policy community is beginning to look at different approaches to promote smart engagement, both with traditional friends and adversaries alike. Science Diplomacy - the use of international science cooperation with the goal of building or establishing relationships between and among societies - provides a possible mechanism, one with a proven history of success. Dr. Turekian will review past efforts in science diplomacy, and articulate how a new era of science diplomacy might be afoot.
Dr. Vaughan Turekian is the Chief International Officer for AAAS where he leads, develops and coordinates the broad range of AAAS's international activities. He is also the Director for the Center for Science Diplomacy. Dr. Turekian served as Senior Advisor to the Under Secretary of State for Democracy and Global Affairs, where he worked on international science, technology, environment and health issues, including, clean energy, sustainable development, climate change, scientific outreach and avian influenza. He is the two time recipient of the Department's Superior Honor Award for his work on climate change and avian influenza. He has published a numerous articles on the linkages between science and international policy and is a member of the Council on Foreign Relations.