To compete and thrive in the 21st century, democracies, and the United States in particular, must develop new national security and economic strategies that address the geopolitics of information. In the 20th century, market capitalist democracies geared infrastructure, energy, trade, and even social policy to protect and advance that era’s key source of power—manufacturing. In this century, democracies must better account for information geopolitics across all dimensions of domestic policy and national strategy.
There is a growing recognition that most foreign policy challenges have in common, whether the refugee crisis, the risk of nuclear proliferation in the Middle East or the challenges of development in sub-Saharan Africa is the critical role of science and innovation in providing solutions for the diplomat and foreign policy decision makers.
Whether sharing of knowledge to spark innovation in emerging markets or validating the implementation of the JCPOA agreement with Iran, scientists and innovators are playing an increasing role in support of problem solving oriented diplomacy.
The HKS Science + Innovation Diplomacy Symposium aims to put a spotlight on the intersection of Science and innovation with diplomacy and how these two elements act as drivers for solutions to foreign policy challenges.
The Science + Innovation Diplomacy Symposium will provide a space for a trilateral exchange between Academia, Policy makers and the Private Sector to discuss “common ground” where science and innovation can be used as a bridge between governments and people.
The Conference will focus on these themes:
• Science for Diplomacy in Conflict: Experiences, Cases, Skills
• Innovation Diplomacy between Cities and Citizens
• Future careers in Science + Innovation Diplomacy