CECAM-MARVEL Mary Ann Mansigh series: Science and diplomacy

Zoom link: 
https://epfl.zoom.us/j/61351094064?pwd=BP7qIbEw4DYwqjE7TojKQ8vdB4QvQh.1

The Mary Ann Mansigh Conversation series focuses of non-strictly technical topics of cultural interest for the simulation and modelling community. The format reflects the informative and informal nature of these sessions, with talks introducing the subject followed by a conversation between the speakers and the audience.

Computational diplomacy: Understanding and analyzing international relations in the digital age

Roland Bouffanais, University of Geneva

As technology rapidly evolves, computational diplomacy is emerging as a transformative field, offering new insights into the analysis and understanding of international relations. This talk delves into the role of artificial intelligence, big data, and machine learning in examining multilateral governance and decision-making processes. By harnessing computational tools, we can uncover hidden patterns in global diplomatic dynamics, particularly in addressing challenges such as global health crises and climate diplomacy. Additionally, we will highlight key research initiatives from the SiDLab (Science in Diplomacy Lab), a collaborative effort between the University of Geneva and ETH Zürich.

SESAME: a beacon of hope in the Middle East, shining through even in times of wars

Gihan Kamel, SESAME Facility, Jordan

Synchrotron-light sources are particle accelerators used across a wide range of scientific and technological fields, from basic to applied sciences like physics, chemistry, biology, and geology, to materials science, biomedicine, and environmental studies. They have also garnered significant interest in cultural heritage, archaeology, and paleontology. Functioning democratically based on scientific merit, these sources have a well-recognized societal impact on education, advancing science and technology, and building human capacity.
The Synchrotron-light for Experimental Science and Applications in the Middle East, SESAME, is the only synchrotron light facility in the Middle East and its neighboring regions. An intergovernmental organization at the service of its Members and the whole world. Its current Members are Cyprus, Egypt, Iran, Israel, Jordan, Pakistan, Palestine and Türkiye. With Brazil, Canada, China (People’s Republic of), the European Organization for Nuclear Research (CERN), the European Union (EU), France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Japan, Kuwait, Portugal, Russian Federation, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, the United Arab Emirates, the United Kingdom, and the United States of America are observers.
SESAME aims for excellence in science and technology, human capacity building, reversing brain drain, enhancing gender balance, and fostering peace and understanding in a turbulent region. It is celebrated as a prime example of science diplomacy in action. SESAME provides an inclusive platform for scientists worldwide to pursue their ambitions in an unbiased, supportive, and tolerant environment that upholds human rights and promotes gender equality. It represents a concerted effort to strengthen self-determination, and ensure justice. The presentation highlights SESAME's role in the Middle East, showcasing its milestones, success stories, and ongoing challenges across various fronts.

Role of science (scientists) in policy making - personal experiences in civilian nuclear energy and nuclear disarmament issues

Tatsujiro Suzuki, Research Center for Nuclear Weapons Abolition, Nagasaki University

“Science without policy is science, but policy without science is gamble”—This is a famous quote from Dr. David Grey, former Director of International Institute for Applied Analysis (IIASA). I was inspired by this statement and have been working mainly on the nexus between civilian nuclear energy and nuclear weapons and I have also been involved as a member of Pugwash movement since late 1990s. I would like to outline my own personal experiences on the following three subjects:
First, plutonium issue is the key nexus between civilian nuclear energy and nuclear weapons. Scientific rationale to produce plutonium (i.e. reprocess spent nuclear fuel) for civilian use has been fading away, but a few countries, including Japan, have been maintaining a policy of reprocessing. As a result, as of the end of year 2022, more than 560 tons of plutonium stockpile exists worldwide1 It is important to provide scientific evidence to change this “unnecessary” reprocessing activities worldwide.
Second, scientific studies on humanitarian consequences of nuclear weapons use are major driving force for maintaining “nuclear taboo” and pushing nuclear disarmament. Especially, diplomatic efforts leading to conclusion of Treaty on Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons(TPNW) are noteworthy. I was personally involved in a project to assess humanitarian consequences of possible nuclear weapons use in Northeast Asia2. The study is intended to illustrate risk of “nuclear deterrence” and suggest alternative security policies not dependent on nuclear deterrence.
Third, Pugwash movement was originated from the famous Russell-Einstein Manifesto. The Manifesto called for abolition of nuclear weapons and war and there is a famous quote from the Manifesto; “Remember your humanity and forget the rest”3 Based on this spirit, Pugwash scientists contributed to nuclear disarmament through diplomatic efforts through “dialogue across the divides”. Pugwash movement and Dr. Rotblat won the Nobel Peace prize in 1995 for their efforts on the movements toward abolition of nuclear weapons. Social responsibility of scientist is even more important, as new disruptive technologies, such as cyber, drones and, notably, Artificial Intelligence (AI), have been extensively used for both civilian and military use.

_{1 RECNA, “World’s Fissile Material Data 2024”, June 202
2 RECNA/Nautilus Institute/APLN, “Project on Reducing the risk of Nuclear Weapons Use in Northeast Asia”, 2021-2024
3 “Statement: The Russell-Einstein Manifesto”, July 9, 1955.}

About the speakers

Roland Bouffanais is an Associate Professor at the Global Studies Institute and the Department of Computer Science (Faculty of Science) of the University of Geneva. He holds the Chair in Computational Diplomacy and is Co-Director of the SiDLab (Science Diplomacy Lab) at the University of Geneva. His research on complex systems involves a synergistic combination of computational and theoretical developments with real-life experimental validations. Specifically, he focuses on interdisciplinary research at the intersection of complexity science, the social sciences, and AI. He received his Ph.D. from EPFL (Lausanne, Switzerland) in computational science, for which he was awarded the prestigious IBM Research Prize in Computational Sciences (2008) and the ERCOFTAC Da Vinci Award Silver Medal (2007).

Atish Dabholkar is the director of the Abdus Salam International Center for Theoretical Physics (ICTP) in Trieste, Italy. He is a theoretical physicist from India working in the field of string theory, black holes, and holography. Atish Dabholkar received his PhD in theoretical physics from Princeton University under the supervision of Jeffrey Harvey. He did his Masters in Physics from the Indian Institute of Technology, Kanpur. Dabholkar is the recipient of the 2006 Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar Prize, the highest Indian science prize awarded by the Prime Minister of India. He was awarded the Chaire d'Excellence of the Agence Nationale de la Recherche in France in 2007. He is an elected Fellow of Indian Academy of Sciences and The World Academy of Sciences (TWAS) for the advancement of science in developing countries. Dabholkar was the Head of ICTP's High Energy, Cosmology and Astroparticle Physics section prior to taking up the directorship. He has been Professor of Theoretical Physics at the Tata Institute of Fundamental Research, Directeur de Recherche of the Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS) at Sorbonne Université and a Visiting Professor at Stanford University and CERN. He was a post-doctoral associate at Rutgers University and Harvard University, and a senior research fellow at California Institute of Technology. 

Gihan Kamel is the SESAME (Synchrotron Light for Experimental Science and Applications in the Middle East) Infrared Beamline Principal Scientist, on leave from the Physics Department, Faculty of Science, Helwan University, Cairo, Egypt. Dr Kamel obtained her Ph.D. in Physics in 2011 from the University of Rome, La Sapienza, Italy, and was beamline researcher at Daɸne-light at the Italian Institute for Nuclear Physics (LNF-INFN) before moving to SESAME in 2015. At SESAME, she focuses on using infrared light for various scientific studies, ranging from biology, medicine, archaeology, material science among many others. Her work has had a significant impact on expanding research opportunities and fostering scientific exchange across borders in a region with a complex political landscape. Through her efforts, Kamel has become an advocate for the role of science in building bridges and fostering peaceful collaboration. She is also extensively involved in the establishment of the first African Light Source. In 2015, she earned recognition for her presentation at a TEDxCERN | TED conference on the theme of "Breaking the Rules.". Dr. Kamel was honored with a recognition of the President of the Italian Republic at the International Day of Women in 2017. In 2020, she was awarded the Eureka South Shore Prize ex-aequo Laureate of Eureka Prize of the French organization amcsti (The professional network of scientific, technical and industrial cultures) for her role at SESAME that brings together scientists from the eight founding states of this unique experiment in this region. In 2021, as part of the ‘Championing the Decade of Action’ - an initiative being implemented by ECA and other UN agencies, Dr Kamel was selected by the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (ECA) as one of twenty-five African Women scientists featured within the African and global research and development (R&D) communities in the publication titled “Earth, Oceans and Skies: Insights from selected, outstanding African women scientists”. In 2023, she was chosen by Nature to comment on the challenges facing women scientists in the Middle East. Gihan Kamel received the John Wheatley Award from the American Physical Society (APS) in 2024.

Tatsujiro Suzuki is a Professor of Research Center for Nuclear Weapons Abolition at Nagasaki University (RECNA), Japan. Before joining RECNA, he was a Vice Chairman of Japan Atomic Energy Commission (JAEC) of the Cabinet office from January 2010 to March 2014. Until then, he was an Associate Vice President of the Central Research Institute of Electric Power Industry in Japan (1996-2009) and Visiting Professor at the Graduate School of Public Policy, University of Tokyo (2005-009), an Associate Director of MIT’s International Program on Enhanced Nuclear Power Safety from 1988-1993 and a Research Associate at MIT’s Center for International Studies (1993-95). He is now a member of Advisory Board of Parliament’s Special Committee on Nuclear Energy since June 2017. He is also a Council Member of Pugwash Conferences on Science and World Affairs (2007-09 and from 2014~), co-chair of International Panel on Fissile Materials (IPFM) and an International Advisory Board member of Asia Pacific Leadership Network for Nuclear Non-Proliferation and Disarmament (APLN). Dr. Suzuki has a PhD in nuclear engineering from Tokyo University (1988).

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https://www.cecam.org/lectures