As we celebrate a decade of S&D, Princess Sumaya acknowledges that, while the present may not be what we hoped, the challenges that the world has faced over the last ten years have made it stronger, and there are still reasons to be hopeful.
The similarities of culture and experience, coupled with a common language and history of scientific achievement in Arab countries, make science diplomacy an obvious strategy for combating regional instability.
The Middle East faces many challenges, including the absence of a scientific community. Now more than ever, a scientific community is needed to contest identity politics with policies that are based on methodical reasoning.
SESAME, the only synchrotron in the Middle East, seeks to achieve scientific excellence, attract and retain scientists, and foster regional cooperation, while overcoming sometimes tense political relationships.
As political upheaval and economic stagnation hobble national governments’ ability to plan for the future, leaders must look for innovative ways to develop and implement solutions to our global challenges.
By framing water agreements in non-zero-sum terms and building trust over time, even countries in conflict can successfully manage shared water resources for mutual benefit.
