The upcoming training course “Challenges and Perspectives of Science Diplomacy in Central, Eastern and South-Eastern Europe” was presented today at the CEI - Executive Secretariat in Trieste.
Taking place from 25 to 28 November 2025 in Trieste and Gorizia, the initiative is co-organised by the CEI Executive Secretariat, the Autonomous Region of Friuli Venezia Giulia and the Department of Political and Social Sciences of the University of Trieste, with the support of Area Science Park and Elettra Sincrotrone Trieste, and in collaboration with the Friuli Venezia Giulia Scientific and Innovation System (SIS FVG) and the EU Science Diplomacy Alliance (EUSDA).
The course will be taking place in a particularly dynamic international context: indeed, science diplomacy has gained momentum in 2025, with important events such as the first Global Ministerial Dialogue on Science Diplomacy, organised by UNESCO in Paris (25-26 March), as well as with the publication of the expert report “A European Framework for Science Diplomacy” by the European Commission. Against this backdrop, the course aims to advance skills in science diplomacy and to strengthen cross-border cooperation in a strategic region for Europe’s future.
Secretary General Franco Dal Mas highlighted the central role of science diplomacy in connecting research and international relations:
“Trieste confirms its role as a European capital of scientific cooperation,” he stated. “It is not only a city of science, but also a city of science diplomacy – a platform where institutions, researchers, international actors and policy-makers meet to foster dialogue, cooperation and shared growth. This is the essence of the CEI mission: building bridges between knowledge and diplomacy to promote sustainable development and peace.”
Representatives of the Friuli Venezia Giulia Region, the University of Trieste and partner scientific institutions emphasised the importance of this cooperation in strengthening the regional dimension of science diplomacy, while focusing on the strategic area of Central, Eastern and South-Eastern Europe.
Course Programme and Participation
The programme - includes 17 teaching modules, 3 interactive workshops, 2 roundtables, and 1 - study visit to research infrastructures, for a total of 25 hours of training.
The course will host 30 participants from 12 CEI Member States (Italy, Slovenia, Albania, Romania, Serbia, Poland, Czech Republic, Montenegro, Hungary, North Macedonia, Moldova, Croatia),including selected students from the University of Trieste. The classroom will be interdisciplinary, bringing together diplomats, researchers, public officials, private sector professionals and NGO representatives.
For more info: lombardo@cei.int
