Canadian Summit: A Canadian Strategy to catalyze the power of scientific diplomacy

About the Event

At a pivotal moment for international cooperation, the Université de Montréal, the University of Calgary, and McGill University—in partnership with the Geneva Science and Diplomacy Anticipator (GESDA) and the Embassy of Switzerland in Canada—are organizing a four-day summit and training program titled A Canadian Strategy to Catalyze the Power of Science Diplomacy.

This initiative aims to equip the Canadian scientific community and public decision-makers with the necessary tools to better understand and leverage the connections between science, innovation, public policy, economic prosperity, and international engagement. It also aims to reaffirm Canada’s leadership in science diplomacy and position the country as a key driver of international collaboration. Bringing together more than 300 participants—including diplomats, researchers, policymakers, industry leaders, and civil society stakeholders—the event will explore how science diplomacy can rebuild trust, foster cooperation, and address complex global challenges where traditional diplomatic approaches sometimes reach their limits.

A central objective is the creation of a pan-Canadian science diplomacy network connecting actors from different regions, sectors, and disciplines. This network will support ongoing collaboration, knowledge exchange, and coordinated action at both national and international levels. By fostering a community capable of operating beyond institutional and political frameworks, the summit aims to build lasting partnerships and strengthen Canada’s collective capacity in science diplomacy. The event also intends to advance the integration of science diplomacy into public policy and governance frameworks in Canada. By bringing the research, diplomacy, and innovation ecosystems closer together, it will encourage increased collaboration between public institutions, academia, and the private sector, while promoting common practices and a shared understanding among communities that do not traditionally interact.

Expected Outcomes:

The program combines high-level dialogues, interactive sessions, and targeted training, offering decision-makers, managers, and institutional leaders forward-looking perspectives on the evolving geopolitical role of science, technology, and innovation. Through evidence-based discussions, international comparisons, and case studies, participants will gain the tools to develop more coherent, strategic, and values-driven approaches to science diplomacy. Participants will also develop a shared understanding of Canada’s opportunities, identify collaboration gaps and emerging risks, expand their networks, and contribute to the development of a roadmap to advance science diplomacy nationwide. A specialized three-session training module, provided by GESDA, will offer selected individuals practical tools to navigate effectively at the interface of science, innovation, and international affairs.

Ultimately, this summit conference is a call to action. In a rapidly evolving global context marked by technological disruptions and geopolitical tensions, it invites participants to break down silos and move beyond traditional approaches to adopt a more collaborative, resilient, and values-based model of international engagement through science diplomacy.

Panel: Artificial Intelligence, Technological Governance, and Diplomacy

As AI evolves from a technological frontier into a foundational pillar of the global economy, the challenge of its governance has become the defining diplomatic issue of our time. While AI’s promises of innovation are immense, the risks of fragmentation, digital inequality, and a lack of ethical oversight demand a new architecture of “science diplomacy”—one capable of moving beyond local initiatives to establish binding and interoperable international standards. This panel will examine how bridging the gap between academia and public policy can foster an agile governance framework capable of keeping pace with the exponential growth of large-scale AI models.

Key themes will include aligning human rights with technological development, the role of legal frameworks in mitigating systemic risks, and the strategies required to integrate ethical safety measures throughout the entire lifecycle of AI systems. By closing the gap between technical possibilities and political feasibility, this session aims to define a clear vision for a responsible, secure, and democratic future for AI.

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