The Swiss embassy for Spain and Andorra launches a new interview project on the topic of scientific diplomacy: a space to ask ourselves if science and diplomacy can collaborate to advance society and if there is that space for collaboration.
In this first episode of the series, Professor Valentín Martinez Pillet, director of the Institute of Astrophysics of the Canary Islands (IAC), is interviewed. One of the main European centers for astrophysics and home to important international observatories in the Canary Islands with more than 60 institutions from 20 countries.
The interview highlighted three key messages: Science helps to generate spaces for dialogue and understanding through the use of the scientific method, based on shared principles at the international level, cooperation between science and diplomacy facilitates the development of large-scale international scientific projects, and embassy networks play an important role in facilitating the participation of different countries in these projects.
With this first interview, the Swiss Embassy opens a series of conversations about the role of scientific diplomacy as a bridge between science, international cooperation, and innovation. More information at this link.