The 2nd Science Diplomacy and Spanish Scientists Coordination Conference took place in Madrid from the 4th to the 6th of July. All sessions and presentations took place at the National Museum of Science and Technology (MUNCYT) in Alcobendas and at the headquarters of SICF Patron Fundación Ramón Areces.
The latest novelties in the Spanish science and technology systems, Spanish science diplomacy and Spanish scientific communities abroad were discussed during the meeting. The Spanish R&D system was also analysed to look for areas for improvement and the possibility of philanthropic collaboration for the promotion of science was explored.
SICF SecretaryGeneral Alonso Dezcallar took part in the session “Spanish action in science diplomacy”, within the block on science diplomacy by the Directorate for Scientific and Cultural Relations (DRCC), alongside Itziar Taboada, Head of Scientific and Cultural Relations at the Directorate, José Pedro Torrubia, Cultural Attaché at the Embassy of Spain in Sweden and Fernando Villalonga and Lorenzo Melchor, from the Officefor Cultural and Scientific Affairs in London. Mr Dezcallar offered the attendees an overview of the work of the Council Foundations in the field of science, especially the organisation of cultural and educational activities and the development of bilateralexchanges.
Among the attendees who participated in the three-day conference were Hugo Portillo, Head of the Department of Coordination of Cultural andScientific relations at the Ministry of External Affairs and Cooperation; Cristina Russo, Director for International Cooperation of the EC Directorate General for Research and Innovation; José Ignacio Fernández Vera, Managing Director of FECYT (Spanish Foundation for Science and Technology); Carmen Vela, Secretary of State for Research, Development and Innovation; and Adrián Gutiérrez, CDTI's Chief Representative for India and Southeast Asia.
Science diplomacy, technology and innovation report drafted by the Government of Spain
