Yulia Petrova: "Scientific Diplomacy - a Priority Foreign Policy Tool". “Big Asia” Interview

23/03/2020 18:52

What is scientific diplomacy and why is it gaining more and more weight in international relations? This was told by Yulia Petrova, the Deputy Head of the General Secretariat of the Eurasian peoples’ Assembly for International Cooperation, Professor and Ph.D. in Economics in an interview with the "Big Asia" media resource.

"Big Asia":

What is scientific diplomacy and why is scientific diplomacy gaining more and more weight in modern international relations?

Yulia Petrova:

We live in a world of constant technological change in which science, technology and innovation are the engines of socio-economic development and the driving forces of globalization and are key tools in reconfiguring the future of the world. Therefore, it is scientific diplomacy that becomes a priority foreign policy tool for governments. Scientific diplomacy has great opportunities to create a soft power of influence, due to the fact that not only the results of research, but also the principle of broad scientific communications is a way of promoting peace and serves the sustainable development of society.

"Big Asia":

What impact can scientific diplomacy have on the country's international image and how?

Yulia Petrova:

Non-state actors a priori influence the image of the country abroad. Suffice it to recall the example of Hollywood, which through films spreads the ideology of American society, or, for example, the situation of the decline in the United States international influence after September 11, while their influence in science and technology continued to be highly respected.

Science, being a more universal tool than culture and economics, allows to organize cooperation where it seems to have been finally interrupted. Cooperation in research can help bridge the gap between countries by creating a forum for mutual support and common interests. As an example, the "inter-Korean cooperation" in chemistry, biotechnology and nanoscience, this was first proposed in March 2010 and subsequently served as a platform for bringing the countries closer together in other areas.

"Big Asia":

Why can't scientific diplomacy be part of government diplomatic procedures and what is the peculiarity of communication in scientific diplomacy?

Yulia Petrova:

It should be understood that science itself is above the national interest. Anton Chekhov noted that there is no national science, as there is no national multiplication table; when something is national, it is no longer a science. At the same time, each country has its own specific scientific interests. In this sense, scientific diplomacy is an ambivalent (dual) instrument, developing, on the one hand, broad supranational communications, contributing to broad international scientific cooperation, and on the other hand - promoting interests and values of their country in the world.

Diversification (diversity) of scientific research in the world does not allow formalizing these processes. At present, the system of scientific communications can be compared with the brain activity, in which numerous neurons exchange signals in all directions at the same time, or block-chain technology, in which rechecking and confirmation of information comes simultaneously at different points.

"Big Asia":

Currently, the global competition in science has escalated as never before, but at the same time we see that global partnership and cooperation to promote the internationalization of innovation is in the government decisions of the majority of the developed countries. These are the EU, government consortia of the US, Great Britain, Japan and many other countries. Why is it so important to join forces in an era of rapid science and technology development?

Yulia Petrova:

Today's world-general scientific problems, such as pandemics, sustainable development, environmental disasters, climate change and population ageing, require the development of effective platforms for cooperation between governments. It is technological exchanges that are the most effective tools for building closer international ties and strengthening relations. At the moment, during the COVID-19 pandemic we are witnessing a unity of effort by all scientific communities, regardless of the political and economic differences. This is one of the most striking examples of scientific diplomacy.

"Big Asia":

How do methods of scientific diplomacy differ from standard methods of maintaining communication in the scientific world?

Yulia Petrova:

As I have already noted, scientific diplomacy is a broader tool than international scientific cooperation. Establishing additional channels of communication, interaction and information sources with the help of scientists and through improving the country's image, it impacts on wider groups of the population, going beyond the scientific community.

 

"Big Asia":

When can scientific diplomacy be more effective than direct communication between researchers?

Yulia Petrova:

Scientific diplomacy facilitates the involvement in technological exchanges of both state and non-state actors, such as business, public organizations (NCOs), professional communities, individuals, allowing them interact, beyond geographical boundaries, administrative barriers and financial constraints.

"Big Asia":

How can scientific diplomacy help young scientists in their research or career development?

Yulia Petrova:

Methods of scientific diplomacy, new formats and channels of international interaction with a wide range of parties concerned will contribute to the expansion of professional contacts of young scientists and their participation in international and national research, career development and international recognition; will facilitate inter-sectoral rotation.

"Big Asia":

Attracting talent is the key to the development of the R + D + I. What difficulties does Russia face in this area? Do you feel a lack of young people in conducting your research?

Yulia Petrova:

Unfortunately, it should be noted that Russian science is experiencing a shortage of young people. Therefore, the key aspect of strengthening development and innovation is to attract high-quality human resources. Russia in this global race for talent has to make its scientific and innovative systems more attractive to young scientists. Often these are questions not only and not always material stimulation, but also issues of professional recognition. Scientific diplomacy works, among other things, on the development of scientific mobility, and above all on the expansion of incoming mobility.

"Big Asia":

Do you think that scientific diplomacy can bring innovation closer to society and allow them to become more widespread?

Yulia Petrova:

Of course, as I have already said, scientific diplomacy engages a wide variety of society in technological and innovative exchanges. This contributes to greater public awareness, popularization and more effective implementation of innovations in real life, rapid learning of their application and, as a result, allows solving various social problems.

"Big Asia":

Can the introduction of scientific diplomacy be considered the first step towards overcoming the institutional model of research and development systems, in which the citizen is seen only as a consumer or a taxpayer?

Yulia Petrova:

In fact, in the research and development system, citizens should not be treated only as consumers or taxpayers. The methods of organizing the interaction of scientists, in which politicians, citizens and non-scientific organizations join researchers as drivers of innovation, are the most effective for overcoming the widest range of social problems.

"Big Asia":

How do you assess the possible participation of universities and scientific organizations in the development of scientific diplomacy?

Yulia Petrova:

Universities and scientific organizations, being centers of scientific thought, are full-fledged subjects of scientific diplomacy. In this regard, universities, conducting not only research, but also teaching, develop the influence of national scientific schools, especially where special attention is paid to the export of education.

"Big Asia":

How can scientific diplomacy be useful for business and how will it contribute to the development of the business structures research potential?

Yulia Petrova:

Scientific diplomacy allows business to learn more quickly and effectively about new promising research and make investment decisions. In addition, by maintaining broad contacts, subjects of scientific diplomacy are given the opportunity to broadcast new forms of interaction between business and science for individual organizations and for governments as a whole.

"Big Asia":

Do you plan to develop proposals for Russian national and regional managers to improve our research and development system in the process of introducing new methods and after analyzing the results?

Yulia Petrova:

I believe that any action should have its effect, so the process of analyzing the effectiveness of the methods used is ongoing. Of course, the results that will be rated as important and relevant will be brought to the attention of all interested parties.

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