The second event of the current season of the CIC National Capital Branch’s Middle East Study Group (MESG CIC-NCB) will address the use of scientific collaborations to address common problems and to build positive international partnerships for peace and prosperity. The distinguished speaker for this event is Dr. Nicole Arbour from National Research Council Canada. During this event Dr. Arbour will provide an overview of Science Diplomacy with a focus on the Middle East region.  

Science Diplomacy – What is it? Why is it important? There are several recent examples of science diplomacy at work in the Middle East.  Most often featured are the international collaborations at SESAME (Synchrotron-light for Experimental Science and Applications in the Middle East), and the IRAN nuclear deal. Science diplomacy can also play an important role in the challenges that contribute to regional instability – many of which transcend national borders. Issues including health, environment, energy, water and food are shared problems that will require cooperation to solve. In this discussion, we will examine how science diplomacy can help in addressing common challenges through mobilization of regional collaboration, and through enabling the incorporation of science and evidence into decision-making processes.

Speaker Bio:

Nicole Arbour is a Senior Advisor with the International Innovation Office at the National Research Council Canada (NRC).  She currently leads the development, implementation and management of NRC’s engagement with the UK. She is also involved with the NRC’s Grants to International Affiliations Program, where she is active in the development and coordination of Canada’s relationship to the International Science Council (ISC). She also provides strategic advice to senior executives related to the development and management of other bilateral and multilateral relationships for the NRC, as required. In her previous role, as the Team Lead for the UK’s Science and Innovation Network in Canada, at the British High Commission in Ottawa, she was responsible for liaising with Federal science and technology organizations, working to establish, foster, and strengthen scientific collaboration and partnerships between the UK and Canada. Dr. Arbour has also worked as a research scientist in the Canadian biotech sector. Dr. Arbour holds a PhD in Biochemistry from the University of Ottawa.

RSVP:

Please RSVP in advance with Hamid Jorjani, Ph.D., Chair, MESG CIC-NCB,

at: hjorjani@bell.net