Discussion on Revitalizing Science and Technology Diplomacy by Gathering 'Young Scientists'

Ministry of Science and ICT Launches 3-Month Forum Schedule

On the 19th, the Ministry of Science and ICT launched the annual 'Science and Technology Diplomacy Forum,' scheduled to run for three months. This event is an expert consultative body that has been held three times since 2021. Its purpose is to identify policy agendas related to international cooperation and diplomacy in science and technology in preparation for the era of technological hegemony competition and to provide a platform for discussions among relevant experts.

Unlike previous one-time events, this year’s forum plans to announce outcomes through discussions and debates over approximately three months. The Ministry of Science and ICT explained, "In terms of content, we seek to explore implementation plans for international cooperation in science and technology that align with the government’s diplomatic direction, such as realizing a global (international) pivotal nation." They added, "In preparation for the significantly expanded international cooperation-related research and development budget starting next year, we aim to identify policy and project agendas for international cooperation and discuss support measures to activate researchers’ international cooperation activities."

To this end, the consultative body was organized into two subcommittees: a research and development (R&D) subcommittee discussing topics related to R&D such as international joint research and overseas personnel exchanges, and a non-R&D subcommittee discussing topics such as international cooperation activities and the establishment of cooperation foundations. For each subcommittee, young scientists and research administration experts in their 30s and 40s who are actively engaged in promising cooperation fields expected to gain importance over the next 2-3 years?such as quantum, artificial intelligence, advanced bio, space, and materials?were appointed to gather creative and fresh opinions.

Going forward, each subcommittee will hold two official meetings (in September and October), followed by a general meeting (in November) to summarize the discussions of each subcommittee. Ultimately, a comprehensive forum (consultative body) will be held in December, involving subcommittee members, scientists affiliated with domestic and international institutions, and the general public. The discussions will be actively utilized in establishing the Ministry of Science and ICT’s international cooperation policy direction for the next year.

The first R&D subcommittee meeting will focus on ways to activate international joint research with overseas research institutions in preparation for the expanded 2024 international cooperation R&D budget. It will collect opinions on the promotion methods for bilateral and multilateral international joint research, necessary institutional improvements, diversification of target countries for international cooperation, and cooperation channels (routes). The non-R&D subcommittee meeting will discuss ways to form cooperation foundations and networks with excellent overseas research groups such as foreign researchers and overseas Korean scientists, including strengthening exchanges and communication, activating participation in the domestic R&D ecosystem, and enhancing cooperation with overseas Korean scientists.

Kim Seong-gyu, Director of International Cooperation at the Ministry of Science and ICT, stated, "We will continuously refine policies and systems for international cooperation in science and technology, whose importance is increasing, and promote related projects." He added, "We will actively listen to the opinions of young researchers who will play a central role in international cooperation while working in the domestic and international science and technology communities and reflect these opinions in policies for them."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.