Summary of the article: Italy & TWAS – Science Diplomacy for Global Progress
This article details Italy’s strong and sustained support for The World Academy of Sciences (TWAS), an international organization dedicated to advancing science and technology in developing countries. Here’s a breakdown of the key points:
Key Players & Organizations:
* TWAS: Founded by Nobel Laureate Abdus Salam, TWAS operates under UNESCO and focuses on building scientific capacity in the developing world through fellowships, grants, prizes, and science diplomacy training. It has a meaningful track record of supporting over 1,230 doctorate holders and 2,300 postdoctoral fellows.
* Italy: Demonstrates commitment to science diplomacy,especially through financial support for TWAS and initiatives like the G7 Academies Summit and the Mattei Plan (focused on strengthening partnerships with african countries). Italy sees this as a “soft power” strategy.
* Brazilian Academy of Sciences: Partnered with TWAS to host a recent conference in Rio de Janeiro focused on enduring development.
Main Points:
* Italy’s Strategic Investment: Italy views supporting TWAS as a key component of its foreign policy,aiming to foster goodwill,address global challenges,and promote innovation. This aligns with the International Decade of Science for Sustainable Development.
* Focus on Capacity Building: Italy’s approach, through TWAS and the mattei Plan, emphasizes building scientific capacity and partnerships in developing nations, contrasting with infrastructure-heavy approaches like China’s Belt and Road Initiative.
* TWAS’s Impact: TWAS provides crucial opportunities for scientists in developing countries, including advanced training, research funding, and training in science diplomacy – bridging the gap between science and policy.
* Challenges Remain: The article acknowledges the challenge of “brain drain” – the potential for scientists trained through TWAS programs to migrate to wealthier countries for better opportunities.
* Long-Term Outlook: Italy recognizes that building scientific capacity is a long-term investment, and its geopolitical returns are not immediately visible.
In essence,the article highlights how Italy is leveraging science diplomacy,specifically through its support of TWAS,as a strategic tool for international cooperation and development,particularly in Africa,the Middle East,and Asia-Pacific.
