During these sessions, various institutional stakeholders have discussed how to improve the Spanish system of science, technology, and innovation, as well as Spanish scientific diplomacy. The meeting took place at the headquarters of the Ramón Areces Foundation, where its director, Don Raimundo Pérez Hernández, emphasized the Foundation’s commitment to supporting the consolidation of RAICEX as an interlocutor between the community of scientists and researchers abroad and institutions in scientific matters.
The sessions were opened by Diana Morant, Minister of Science and Innovation, and José Manuel Albares, Minister of Foreign Affairs, European Union, and Cooperation. Both ministers emphasized the importance of scientific diplomacy as a tool to address global challenges such as climate change and the current pandemic, among others. Additionally, the ministers acknowledged the significant work of RAICEX, which acts as a bridge between civil society and institutions, fostering collaborations between Spain and other countries in the field of science and bringing science closer to the public. In particular, Morant reiterated her gratitude to RAICEX for its valuable advice on measures to promote the internationalization of the Spanish science and technology system and to attract talent.
Also during the opening of the sessions, Imma Aguilar, director of FECYT (co-organizer of the event), emphasized scientific diplomacy as one of its key areas of action, providing examples of recent initiatives, such as the collaboration in creating the first online course on European scientific diplomacy.
The event continued with contributions from other notable figures and institutions, including the Secretary of State for Migration, the Secretary General for Research, the Director of AECID (coordinator of cultural and scientific advisors abroad), and representatives from the Centre for the Development of Industrial Technology (CDTI), the Elcano Royal Institute, the Cervantes Institute, the Ibero-American General Secretariat, and the Barcelona Supercomputing Center, among others.
You can read some of the press coverage in the spanish media below: