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Science for Society: Linking Science to CPEC

World Science Day for Peace and Development (WSDPD) has been celebrated every year, when United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) declared 10^th November as the day dedicated to science. This day is celebrated so as to emphasize the importance that science has in modern-day society and to heave understanding of the function that science has in the promotion of peace and sustainable development. The core motive of the Science Day is the promotion and understanding of science among the society and general public to make them realized why science is relevant to their daily lives and to engage them in debate on science related issues.

The global nature of science, the speed with which it is developing and spreading, and the extent it is critical to national priorities are leading more countries to look at the techno-economic mechanism of their science strategies. Science exchanges are an essential platform for countries looking to create better connections with the public of other nations, and to establish and strengthen relationships. With multiple socio-economic challenges faced by the world today, scientific interactions are valuable platforms for states and scientists to cooperate and share knowledge, expertise and resources. In turn, this can promote techno-economic and social progress, and contribute to peace and sustainable development. Science can not only enable countries to overcome a negative image in parts of the world but also, take place in the long-established sense of the word, where delegations travel to each other’s countries to share ideas on science, innovation and technology.

Historically, integration between regions has been a key element in enhancing scientific activities and the cooperation long been facilitated by the diverse means of research and development (R&D). In the South Asia, there is exceptional Chinese cooperation with Pakistan for the 21^st Century Silk Road – the global Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). China and Pakistan as all weather strategic partners and glorious friends always try to make strong relations through different geo-politics and strategic agreements. The China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) is one of the imperative strategic partnerships to make stronger relations of both countries. Similarly, China has several science exchanges with Pakistan, with the key role in setting the stage for R&D, institutions and businesses to collaborate with each other. In the future scenario, the strategic scientific partnership through CPEC may not only develop Pakistan’s science infrastructure and research capabilities, but also techno-economic development of both the countries. By creating science knowledge and understanding through science may outfit both countries to find solutions to today’s techno-economic challenges and to achieve sustainable development and greater societies. Linking science to CPEC, public understanding of science and the participation of citizen of the both countries in science should be a considerable factor for sustainable and peaceful development of CPEC. The CPEC could then not only serve as a game changer for China and Pakistan, but also the entire region.

Do The Pakistan Government’s Technology Transfer Strategy Even Work With Science Diplomacy?

Why have technology transfer strategies not been successful in Pakistan? Are we moving globally intended to technology transfer for nothing? Conceptually, the relation between technology transfer and foreign policy is rather an old phenomenon. Throughout the world history, they mutually influenced and had an impact on each other. Scientific age is said to have begun in seventeenth century. Later, technological development went alongside the economic growth. By the end of nineteenth century, role of science had become related to applications more closely as industrial research. In the twentieth century, industrial research became a self-sustaining system and vital factor in the amplification of technological innovation. When we come to the post-Cold War ear and the twenty-first century, new challenges have become more prominent, such as environmental security and climate change, health and biosafety, biotechnology and biomedicine, cyber security and bioterrorism, food safety and genetically modified crops, nuclear proliferation and civil use of nuclear power, weapons of mass destruction, energy and water supplies, humanitarian crises etc. In today’s world, many of the global challenges have a scientific aspect and no one single nation is capable of tackling these challenges alone. These new global challenges required new techniques for international cooperation, technology transfer and diplomacy. In other words, “global problems require global solutions”.

In this context, Science Diplomacy – hereafter SciDip, as a concept and a non-traditional method of diplomacy and international relations had gained importance. In reality, it is not new, but as a concept it is quite contemporary. As can be exemplified through different country examples, the British Royal Society, which was established in the eighteenth century, has always used science as a tool to solve military and political problems. The concept gained importance, especially after the World War II, but even before the United Kingdom (UK) appointed its first accredited scientific representative to Washington in 1941. Then another British representative was sent to China between the years 1942-1946. NATO set up a science program in 1957 and US National Academy of Science (NAS) ran parallel Committees on International Security and Arms Control (CISAC) together with the Soviet Union Academy of Sciences (ASUSSR). After the end of the Cold War, the activities of SciDip gained a momentum is the countries like UK, USA and Japan etc. In the US, the post of Science and Technology Adviser to the US Secretary of State was established. In terms of the UK, their government established the Science and Innovation Network (SIN). This network is comprised of more than ninety staff working in forty cities in twenty-five countries and their main aim is to promote the scientific expertise of UK abroad and to build international collaborations in the area of S&T. Japan is another active country in this respect and has a formal SciDip policy since 2007 with the aim of increasing participation of Japanese scientists into international research programs, providing international scientific advice, and building scientific capacity.

In our globally-interconnected society where urgencies of the present and future meet today – S&T advice in foreign ministry is part of the solution to address the issues, impacts and resources within, across and beyond the boundary of state. Today, we are witnessing a growing presence of S&T in the whole UN system and the 2030 Agenda decisively admit not only the critical role of S&T but also formalizes its alliance through the establishment of initiatives such as the Technology Facilitation Mechanism (TFM). Correspondingly, technology transfer is an important issue and key component of economic and social development of Pakistan. The successful implementation of technology transfer depends not only on good technical specification but also, on the right social, political and institutional environment. The existing capacity of institutes in Pakistan is not sufficient and the situation demands that the Government of Pakistan (GoP) must establish merit-based institutions, with proper technical manpower to deal with the problems relevant to technology transfer and technological development. As said by Lewis M. Branscomb, “Unless scientist and policymakers learn to work together effectively, both domains will suffer”. In Pakistan, there is escalating obligation on policymakers for science advice to transfer of technology because scientific evidence may help to manage risks and facilitate them to formulate better and effective regulatory and legislative decision. In this regards, the GoP may perform the following roles:

·         Device the SciDip based foreign policy and integrates a science perspective into traditional foreign policy and creates an information platform for SciDip.

·         Establish the coordinating office for SciDip to highlight the connection between science, social and economic development.

·         Establish effective mechanisms for ensuring appropriate and timely scientific advice and define clear and transparent framework and rule of procedure for advisory process and mechanism.

·         Implement measure that build societal trust in science for policymaking and work with international organizations to ensure coherence between national and international scientific advisory mechanism related to complex global challenges.

·         Utilize science and technology personnel in diplomatic activities/missions and promote strategic joint research development with regional countries with high diplomatic importance.

·         Continue its efforts to strengthen good governance, with the emphasis on merit-based institutional development and rule of law. And, exceptionally eliminate corruption and nepotism from the society.

Pak-Sino Health Tourism: A Win-Win Model For CPEC

“If the “Belt and Road” are likened to the two wings of a soaring Asia, then connectivity is like arteries and veins.” – Xi Jinping

China’s ambitious plan to stabilize its western periphery through the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) has at its core the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC). China’s progress-solidity nexus epitomizes one of the main drivers behind CPEC. CPEC is a framework of geographical connectivity linked through the BRI, which is not for the benefit of China and Pakistan but for all the countries involved in the initiative and anticipated to provide regional development, economic growth and peace through win-win model. Moreover, the project is expected to create at least 700,000 direct jobs and serve as a springboard for the development of industries such as retail, education, health and tourism etc.By the start of this century, world is rapidly progressing toward globalization. The globalization of healthcare has also given rise to an innovative trend called “Health Tourism”. It’s also called “Healthcare Globalization” or “Health Vacation”. Whatever you name it, health tourism is mounting and diversifying on a global level and the global health tourism market was valued at $15.5 billion in 2017, and is estimated to reach at $28.8 billion by 2024 and Asian health tourism market is anticipated to cross $14 billion mark by 2022. Health tourism is a swiftly evolving trend and the fastest growing sector not only, in developed nations but also, in developing nations. Health tourism is becoming a worldwide, multi billion-dollar industry and recent trend illustrate that people from developed countries are traveling to developing countries for affordable healthcare.In the last decade, the perception of well being has gone further than ever before,thus, health tourism has emerged as an industry, where people travel often long distances to overseas countries to obtain medical, dental and surgical care while at the same time being holidaymakers. The phenomenon has developed significantly in recent years mainly due to the high cost of treatment and long waiting list in developed countries.

Health tourism has grown in a number of nation-states especially in Asian states. The chief regions in Asia are Thailand, India, Malaysia, Singapore and South Korea. Thailand accounts for maximum share of the Asian health tourism market, being followed by India and Singapore.Likewise, based on the Sixth Economic Development Plan (2017-2022), Iran is projected to attract 600,000 health tourist every year with ultimate goal to earn $25 billion a year through tourism by 2025, around $2.5 billion of which will come from health tourism. Health tourism has also boomed on the Chinese mainland over the past few years and China is fast emerging as a desirable destination for seeking medical care. American, European and Canadian patients favor India, Thailand and Malaysia.Thailand became famous as destination for health tourism as early as the 1970s because it specialized in sex change operations, and later moved into cosmetic surgery. Currently, Thailand is home to an ever-increasing number of cosmetic surgery and related services providers including liposuction, face lifts and anti-ageing treatments. In India, heart-related diseases and organ transplantation are being treated at outstanding facilities at rates that are competitive globally. In all these cases, the low cost of quality healthcare services is a major driving force behind the rising trend of health tourism to these destinations.Malaysia became involved in health tourism industry after 1998 and now emerging as a major destination for those seeking knee cap replacement, spinal fusion and other joint-related surgeries and medical procedures.Dubai also has built Healthcare City (DHCC) to capture the Middle Eastern market and divert it from Asia. The DHCC, “the world’s first healthcare free zone” strategically located between Asia and Europe is a highly regulated institution that aims to provide high-quality healthcare, medical education and research in region.

Health tourism is probable to increase even faster in the future and the number of countries seeking to develop health tourism industry as it is an emerging global industry. CPEC could play a key role in mutual cooperation between Chinese and Pakistani health tourism industries.  If health tourism model comes to fulfillment, the multi-billion dollar industry may drive even greater change to both states.Pakistan has a huge potential to become a regional health tourism hub like other neighboring countries as Pakistan is rich in doctors and technical staff of international reputation in their respective fields.In near future Pakistan may have potential to develop health tourism if the coordination between Ministry of National Health Services & Regulations, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Ministry of Tourism/Pakistan Tourism Development Corporation (PTDC) be established.It is also fact, health infrastructure in Pakistan is much below expectations and international standers due to poor health governance, lack of health financing, lack of centralized health policy and corruption in health sector.In this regard, the Government of Pakistan and policy makers may instantaneously act on the following recommendations:

• Devise the health tourism based health policy and clear position to health tourism as the new axis. Produce policy papers on subjects arising in health tourism.
• Integrate a health perspective into tourism policy and create an information platform for health tourism.
• Establish the coordinating office for health tourism to highlight the connection between health, social and economic development.
• Start a health tourist visa category and reduce the brain drain phenomenon within the country.
• Continue its efforts to strengthen good governance including health governance, with emphasis on merit based institutional development and the rule of law. And, exceptionally eliminate corruption and nepotism from the society.

Science In Diplomacy: A New Dimension For Foreign Policy Of Pakistan

“The soft power of science has the potential to reshape global diplomacy” – Ahmed Zewail

In a swiftly changing world where new global challenges influence every country, science is not only one of the vibrant forces in socioeconomic progress but also, promoting globalization roles that will exaggerate in the future. Science is considered as a neutral area and has no nationality. In this respect, it is comparatively easier to build up international cooperation through science rather than political or military relations. Moreover, science can play a bridging role between the nations through their scientists which have fragile political relations. It means the deployment of science as a tool of diplomacy – Science in Diplomacy, for the sake of developing better relations among nations.

Science Diplomacy (SciDip) is a reflection of the significance that each country and government grants to science and technology (S&T) in designing and implementing its foreign policy. Up till now, the most developed countries have adopted actions aimed at raising the profile of S&T in decision-making on international affairs, strengthening their S&T activities in foreign policy. The USA, United Kingdom, Japan and New Zealand have created the position of Scientific Advisor in their respective Foreign Ministries; the United Kingdom and Switzerland have integrated their Scientific Councils into their Industrial Councils to better recruit world-class scientists and carry out collaborations, whilst promoting the internationalization of innovation. International scientific and technological cooperation has also become a leading aspect of US foreign policy. The Department of State (DoS) has a Science and Technology Adviser to the Secretary of State, making the USA one of few countries in the world with such a government position. The American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS), in coordination with the DoS, runs an ambitious grant program for training scientists in the areas of S&T policy within the US government. The DoS scientific diplomacy strategy focuses on promoting overall participation in areas that involve S&T.

Regarding SciDip, the Japanese government established its main policy lines in a document by a group of experts in the field and that document specifically establishes 15 lines of action for utilization of science in diplomacy. For at least the last decade, Germany invests a great deal of effort in international cooperation in the field of education and science through its Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The German Ministry of Education and Science has its own office for the internationalization of science that receives expert advice. For instance, Germany has been building “Science Houses” in other countries, devoted exclusively to disseminating German technology, innovation and science.

Science in diplomacy is, today more important than ever for:

• Contributing to resolving the most pressing challenges of globalization, such as climate change, food security, pandemics, natural disasters, nuclear proliferation and cyber-security etc.
• Achieving long-term sustainable development, in keeping with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of the 2030 Agenda.
• Promoting collaboration and harmony in international relations since scientific cooperation can serve as a communication channel when diplomatic relations is inactive.

Geographically, Pakistan is one of the most imperative states but, we could not get its maximum geopolitical benefit. Pakistan needs not only to revitalize bilateral and multilateral relations with neighbors and regional countries but also, world-over for peace, progress and prosperity of our people and also to play the decisive role in the region according to current regional and global scenario. As Pakistan’s new government has formed, now there is a need to revive foreign policy beyond traditional way to achieve our national objective with the mutual consent of all stakeholders, which must be in Pakistan’s best interest and that will benefit the people on the top. Government should make strenuous efforts for getting regional cooperation for peace, progress and mutual development; enhance strong diplomatic relations with primary focus on neighbors by resolving all disputes with regional countries. Unless region is peaceful, our efforts for growth and development will not be succeeded. In this regard, the Government of Pakistan (GoP) and foreign policy planners must utilize science in diplomacy as a new dimension for foreign policy of Pakistan and perform the following roles:

https://www.diplomacypakistan.com/articles/science-in-diplomacy-a-new-dimension-for-foreign-policy-of-pakistan/

• Devise the S&T based foreign policy and clear position to science and technology diplomacy (STD) as the new axis. Produce policy papers on subject arising in SciDip, science based foreign policy and strengthen diplomatic proficiency.
• Utilize S&T personnel in diplomatic activities/missions and scientific knowledge in formulating and implementing diplomatic policy and highlight the connection between science and socioeconomic development.
• Develop and implement policies that will strengthen Pakistan science and engineering through international cooperation and monitor S&T development abroad to understand the S&T strategies of other nations for diplomatic agendas and regional groupings.
• Set a diplomatic agenda based on scientific evidence and advice, and lead international efforts and proactively convey the message that Pakistan will take leadership role for the solution of global challenges by using S&T to achieve desirable international circumstances.
• Continue its efforts to strengthen good governance, with emphasis on merit based institutional development and the rule of law, and exceptionally eliminate corruption and nepotism from society as-a-whole.
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