Held at the historic Minoritenplatz Ministry building in central Vienna, the event welcomed diplomats, policy makers, researchers, and institutional partners for a high-level discussion on how science can effectively inform and support foreign policy across Europe. The core feature of the event was a “World Café” session—an interactive, collaborative model that allowed participants to explore future scenarios at the intersection of science and diplomacy.

The initiative showcased preliminary recommendations for a unified European science diplomacy strategy, emphasizing values such as open knowledge exchange, global scientific collaboration, and evidence-based policymaking. These outcomes are intended to contribute directly to future EU foreign relations, particularly in responding to global challenges like climate change, technological governance, and health resilience.

The Austrian Federal Ministry played a central role in convening this side event, reinforcing Austria’s position as a hub for multilateral engagement and science diplomacy. The event also served as a platform for cross-border collaboration, including the participation of member state representatives and affiliated science attachés stationed in European embassies.

As part of the wider SAM Conference agenda, the side event marked a milestone in institutionalizing science diplomacy within EU external action, affirming the growing strategic role of cultural and knowledge-based diplomacy in 21st-century geopolitics.

• https://www.science-diplomacy.eu/news/our-science-diplomacy-side-event-at-the-sam-conference-in-vienna-26-may-2025/ https://www.science-diplomacy.eu/news/our-science-diplomacy-side-event-at-the-sam-conference-in-vienna-26-may-2025/
• https://www.stgs.fau.de/2025/05/10/invitation-to-side-event-of-sam-conference-26-may-vienna/ https://www.stgs.fau.de/2025/05/10/invitation-to-side-event-of-sam-conference-26-may-vienna/