With an ever decreasing amount of annual rainfall, which jeopardizes access to water and food, wildfires that destroy vegetation, and floods, the Plurinational State of Bolivia is particularly affected by climate change.
Strategies to contain the risks and mitigate damages need the cooperation between all concerned parties, in particular policymakers and scientists. This is where science diplomacy can play a role.
This is where the 12th AAAS-TWAS Course on Science Diplomacy held in Trieste, Italy, from 21–24 July served as a source of inspiration for some participants. The course, launched in 2014, receives core funding from the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (Sida). This year, the Organization for Women in Science for the Developing World (OWSD) also provided financial support.
Natalia Montellano Duran, a Bolivian biotechnologist and director of biotechnology at the Bolivian Catholic University in Santa Cruz de la Sierra, and Mayra Ingrid Zalles Trigo, a member of the national parliament of the Plurinational Legislative Assembly of the Plurinational State of Bolivia joined the event. They participated as a ‘pair’, bringing their expertise as a scientist and a policymaker respectively, and worked together as a team representing a fictitious country in the course’s role-player exercise.
In the following interview, edited for clarity, they explain how the course renewed their energy for future projects related to the application of science diplomacy in their country.
Integrating traditional knowledge through science diplomacy
Natalia Montellano Duran’s conducts research on the chemical and biological properties of food proteins. She is interested in exploring the antioxidant and antibacterial properties of native Bolivian tropical fruits, and specializes in the study of molecules with biological activity, enzyme isolation, and biotechnology applications in health and industry. Learning new skills is inspiring her to champion the role of science with policymakers.
Do you think you’ll pursue science diplomacy once you return home?
Absolutely. After just a few days into the course, I realized that science diplomacy can be a powerful tool for meaningful change. I may not start with creating a formal science diplomacy task force in our country, but I’m committed to use what I’ve learned to make science more accessible to decision makers and improve people’s lives.
Why did you request participation in this course?
I had the feeling this course might be useful to catalyze changes in my country — and that feeling was right. The speakers emphasized the value of skills that I had never developed before, like social and communication abilities. They also offered suggestions about how advise governments. I found out about organizations that could help me engage more closely with decision makers. Taken together, this information can make a difference.
Where does science diplomacy have major potential in your country?
There are several areas in Bolivia where science diplomacy could truly help improve people’s lives, by reinforcing, in particular, the dialogue with the Bolivian government. Our scientific community tends to be isolated, with little engagement from government institutions despite holding scientific valuable data that could reorient policymakers’ decisions.
Science diplomacy’s success in Europe and the United States is inspiring me to explore how it could also be adapted to our context.
Imagine you want to advocate for a cause with the government. What steps would you take?
I’ve learned that science diplomacy unfolds in phases. First, I would assemble a multidisciplinary team of scientists, and draft a document containing clear scientific evidence about a problem. In parallel, it would be equally important to draft engaging notes for the media. The second step would be establishing direct connections with government’s officials. If not directly, through an intermediary who can act as a facilitator.
Your research explores native Bolivian fruits, which indigenous communities know very well. Can science diplomacy help protect this traditional knowledge?
My mother inspired my current research by introducing me to the use of traditional indigenous knowledge. As a scientist, now I know that her ancestral knowledge was true and valid. This is why I involved my university in a collaborative project with indigenous communities in Bolivia, because they have deep knowledge of Bolivian herbs, fruits, and plants. They know properties and benefits of these natural resources, but they lack the expertise to transfer this knowledge to a structured framework. Now my goal is to equip these communities with scientific tools and skills, to help them develop new products — for cosmetics, healthcare, and nutrition, and science diplomacy can be a powerful tool. Through this collaboration, we will support their economic growth, and promote their unique resources.
Promoting collaboration on shared challenges
Mayra Ingrid Zalles Trigo is a Bolivian congresswoman serving as a secretary of the Committee on Health, Sports, and Recreation of the Plurinational Legislative Assembly of Bolivia. As one of the youngest members of the Parliament, she is deeply committed to promoting democratic values, building more sustainable societies, and fostering citizen’s participation in politics. She currently pursues policies on environmental protection, public health, and education.
Did you have any experience with science diplomacy before attending this workshop?
I was aware it existed, but this course has opened my eyes to strategies and mechanisms that could help improve living conditions in Bolivia. With local elections in a few weeks from now (released in July, editor’s note), I’m confident that the political change will bring deeper engagement with the government. We need to implement scientific collaboration across universities, civil society, researchers, and even the private sector. We need to be more open to innovative ideas, especially those related to climate change. What I’m learning now could lay the groundwork for meaningful changes once that opportunity arises.
Can you think of an example in the past where science diplomacy could have made a difference?
An example is the ongoing drought affecting Bolivian agriculture. Scientists have long warned that climate change would negatively impact our agriculture. Right now, we’re experiencing either floods or extreme drought. Had key stakeholders listened to those early warnings, I believe our people wouldn’t be suffering such severe drought today.
Would you recommend this course to other colleagues?
Without hesitation. The environment here is very stimulating: we meet world’s top scientists who not only know what needs a change, but who have also the data to support such a change. Second, we are asked to test “diplomatic” abilities during the breakout groups, which is an excellent training for anyone involved in science diplomacy. Finally, we build invaluable connections that could prove useful in the future.
Do you see specific applications of science diplomacy in your country?
Yes. With Natalia, we have developed many ideas. We want to integrate the SDGs agenda within university programmes and curricula, something still lacking in Bolivia. We also aim to facilitate international donations procedures, to support education and emergency response. Our goal is to encourage the government to become more receptive to future donations and partnerships, fostering science-driven development for Bolivia.
Cristina Serra