Science Cooperation: Which Role for Diplomacy in the Middle East

The Mediterranean and Middle East regions are faced with numerous challenges that are increasingly global in nature and that have become of immediate importance: peace and stability, migration, climate change, resource efficiency, etc. In many cases, responding to these challenges requires science-based evidence to informed decisions and joint international efforts that often include also scientific and technological cooperation. This is where science and diplomacy can join forces to form a 'soft power' tool in external policy–science diplomacy.

The session will look at cooperation projects overlooking frontiers and barriers in the Mediterranean and Middle East Regions to tackle such challenges.

G. Paolucci: Understanding of the SESAME (Synchrotron-light for Experimental Science and Applications in the Middle East) project: the particle accelerator which will be developed in Jordan with the involvement of scientists from Bahrain, Cyprus, Egypt, Iran, Israel, Jordan, Palestinian Authority, Pakistan and Turkey, can play a role in the Middle East similar to that played by CERN in Europe after the Second World War.

S. Dalaq: The role of science centers in the NAMES regions, the EMME Summer School as a model to discuss other potential projects and collaborations on a larger scale and their impact.

A. Robert-Hauglustaine, Director of ICOM. The engagement of the International Community for the preservation of cultural heritage in conflict areas