Panel discussion: Preserving the past – the role of science diplomacy in cultural heritage protection

However, it faces unprecedented threats from many angles: natural disasters, climate change, armed conflicts, urban development, and illicit trafficking to name a few. From the degradation of the Great Barrier Reef, to the disastrous effects of war on the ancient city of Palmyra, our collective cultural heritage faces a precarious future. Science diplomacy, which combines scientific knowledge with diplomatic efforts, offers a powerful approach to mitigate these threats and ensure the protection and preservation of cultural heritage worldwide. It holds promise to play a pivotal role in many ways, such as by fostering research collaborations, building capacity, shaping policy, and providing crisis response.

This EUTOPIA science diplomacy event on the 26th September, 2024 in Brussel delved into the multifaceted role of science diplomacy in the protection of cultural heritage through a panel discussion. It highlighted successful case studies where international scientific collaboration had made significant strides in preserving cultural heritage sites and artifacts. The discussion also addressed the challenges and opportunities that arose when science intersected with diplomatic efforts in the field of cultural heritage.