Russian Science Diplomacy

Abstract

Science diplomacy is not new, but it is becoming more and more popular in today’s world due to a number of factors. The international community is facing many global challenges that require decisions and responses based on scientific evidence. At the same time, relations between Russia and the West have seriously deteriorated in the past several years. The scientific community remains one of the few groups that is capable of maintaining relations and looking for solutions for common problems via track two diplomacy. Russia has vast experience in using science and technology achievements to improve its international image and relations with other countries. The Soviet Union and now Russia’s ambitious space program is an example in this regard, as well as the International Space Station—one of the remaining islands of constructive dialogue and scientific cooperation between Russia and the West. Russia has recently adopted a strategy for the country’s science and technology developments, which envisages using science diplomacy as one of its public diplomacy tools. However, are there institutions, human and financial resources and skills in place to achieve tangible results? The chapter by I. Prokhorenko and E. Kharitonova focuses on Russia’s current and potential science diplomacy instruments and mechanisms.