The need to develop scientific and technological diplomacy

Nowadays many states in their attempt to resolve economic, political and national security problems, tend to move towards developing appropriate science and technology diplomacy that are aimed for promoting cooperation between different nations. This in turn, signifies the importance of science and technology diplomacy in resolving some of the pressing problems that are confronted in our current conflicting world situation. The use of this diplomacy is of such significance that different countries are in the process of vast investments aimed for promoting their relationship and collaboration with other countries. It seems in light of programs and goal oriented investment plans made by different states, science diplomacy will be recognized as an important and instrumental element in ensuring scientific dominance and superiority of different states. It can readily be seen that such a measure is now being used in ranking of different universities. It can also be stated that an adaptation of appropriate science and technology diplomacy, can provide the necessary platform facilitating the transfer of knowledge and technology to the country. On this line, it is seen that often scientists and researchers in implementation of their research projects as well as training of necessary research personnel, need necessary technical know-how, material as well as equipments that are often acquired from other countries and as such scientific collaborations provide the necessary platform to promote an overall knowledge of both collaborating parties. Realization of diplomacy in science and technology, requires efforts and commitments by all states engaged in devising such diplomacy as to desired policy making and development of necessary grounds for partnership where the first step requirement, is long range planning and political commitment for allocation of necessary resources and budget to be used for promoting expertise knowledge, promoting scientific gatherings and finally carrying out joint collaborative research projects. On this line, it is noted that any advancement made in Iran in science and technology, can provide a source of aspirations not only for Islamic world, but also for other developing countries. It is believed that developing a suitable diplomacy in science and technology, can play a significant role in transferring Iran to a reference example of developed state among developing countries. On this line, devising of necessary training programs tuned towards developing appropriate science and technology diplomacy for policy makers, academicians, scientific associations, journalists and other related groups about the role of science and technology in promoting competitiveness at the international level as well as developing skills necessary for international dialogues and collaboration, is of major importance. Efforts to be made on promoting science and technology diplomacy in light of the current unjust sanctions that are aimed to make obstacles on the road towards progress in technology and innovations in our country of Iran known for “ Innovator breeder” is an important step which needs to be intelligently planned for and guided towards realization of desired goals that consist of participation in promotion and advancement of our knowledge in science and technology and removing obstacles and international barriers hindering our country’s progress.