March 10, 2021

‘Science Diplomacy’ event to hear experts on relations with Latin America

The Purdue Center for the Environment (C4E) and the Purdue Policy Research Institute (PPRI) are collaborating to host "Science Diplomacy: US and Latin America in a New Era of Cooperation" at 3 p.m. Tuesday (March 16).

The event will feature two former U.S. Department of State diplomats and science and environmental policy experts from the Obama administration: Frances Colón, science and environment adviser at the Western Hemisphere Affairs Bureau, and the honorable Anne Slaughter Andrew, former ambassador to Costa Rica. 

Because sustainability and efficient and equitable allocation of resources have emerged as prominent global issues this past decade, this webinar will discuss the key role of science and innovation in strengthening diplomacy and development cooperation between the United States and Latin America. The event will be headlined by Colón, whose work as a science diplomat in Washington, D.C., centered on the integration of science and technology into foreign policy dialogues, global advancement of women in science, and coordinated policy on climate change.

Colón’s presentation will conclude with a follow-up discussion with Andrew. Colón and Andrew will explore the driving factors of science diplomacy that generate the necessary climate and support for bilateral and multilateral engagements in Latin America to create capacity to address pressing regional social and environmental challenges.

"Science Diplomacy: US and Latin America in a New Era of Cooperation" is a collaborative event that highlights the Center for the Environment’s expertise working with partners across to globe to advance environmental sustainability and engages with one of PPRI’s transdisciplinary research foci -- environmental policies.

“This event provides an opportunity for us all to reflect on the important role that science and research have not only in addressing pressing global issues but in policymaking, development and diplomatic relations,” says Stacey Connaughton, PPRI director.

Timothy Filley, director of C4E, adds: “Strong regional science capacity is a critical factor in addressing sustainability and related security challenges across Latin America. The Arequipa Nexus Institute is an example of Purdue’s efforts to build science capacity in Peru through collaborative research and engagement. We look forward to Dr. Colon’s and Ambassador Andrew’s keen insights into the working of science diplomacy and exploring the role of multi-national university research networks in these efforts."

The free webinar will be an hourlong event broadcast live via WebEx. Students, faculty and practitioners are welcome to take part; attendees may register online.

About the Center for the Environment

The Center for the Environment promotes proactive, interdisciplinary research, learning, and engagement that addresses important environmental challenges. The center connects the faculty and students across departments and disciplines who work on environmental challenges by actively supporting the development and implementation of innovative projects and teams.

About Purdue Policy Research Institute

The Purdue Policy Research Institute catalyzes and leverages extant policy-relevant transdisciplinary research among members of the Purdue research community, facilitates enduring connections among local and global actors, and generates impact on policymaking and beyond. The institute is guided by the principle that policy development must consider the interdependencies among technological, economic, ethical, and social factors. Together with collaborators in academia and the public and private sectors, PPRI inspires the development of nonpartisan policies that solve pressing global challenges.


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