University of Otago Foreign Policy School co-directors Prof
Robert Patman (left) and Prof Lloyd Davis at the 46th
school's opening, at St Margaret's College, Dunedin, last
night. Photo by Linda Robertson.
Climate change has driven the key role science plays in
diplomacy, and topics such as the global food crisis and
nuclear non-proliferation will see it continue, Foreign Affairs
Minister Murray McCully says.
Speaking at the opening of the University of Otago Foreign
Policy School in Dunedin last night, Mr McCully said science
had become "an important part of our foreign policy".
Our relationship with the US in the Antarctic, where
scientific relations continue no matter what is happening in
the political realm, and our desire to attract India as a
trade partner by sharing our agricultural expertise, were
examples of it.
More than 120 people are expected to attend the 46th annual
school, which this year is devoted to "Science Diplomacy: New
Day or False Dawn?"
Co-director of the school Prof Lloyd Davis hoped the weekend
would bring plenty of "thought-provoking discussion".
And he believed, after learning what each speaker's topic
was, "there is certainly the basis for a little bit of
controversy".
The school runs until tomorrow and features talks from Prof
Daryl Copeland, of the University of Toronto, Dr Vaughan
Turekian, director of the Centre for Science Diplomacy at the
American Association for the Advancement of Science, and Dr
Borjiginte Ailikun, director of the Monsoon Asia Integrated
Regional Study at the Chinese Academy of Sciences.
- ellie.constantine@odt.co.nz
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