Interview with Isfahan Ziba Newspaper, February 3, 2025 -
The interview was in Persian and the translation below was done by Ai.
Considering that Isfahan has a high scientific and academic capacity, how can it use this capacity in the form of scientific diplomacy with the aim of developing city diplomacy?
I think what you mean by scientific diplomacy is more science diplomacy. Scientific diplomacy means science-based diplomacy, which is naturally supposed to be handled by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. But science-based diplomacy or science diplomacy means university, research institute, and think tank communications between countries. The reality is that today the borders in the world are not as clear as before. Science, thought, and thinking simply cross borders.
The more inclusive and free the communications, the easier this crossing becomes. I must tell you that, by the way, many of the most important real communications, even between governments, are made today by these scientific, research, and think tank circles. It cannot be said that governments have the lower hand in these relations, but the reality is that the government is no longer a monopoly actor in the global environment; therefore, Isfahan, with its university capacity and tourism, can be both a city of science tourism and science diplomacy. For this purpose, of course, the universities and research institutes of the province must make serious investments and, in addition to holding domestic events, must also be present in international forums and hold truly international events.
One of the problems with our international events is that they are international only on paper: they have very few foreign guests, they are usually in Persian, etc. If we want to have a real and effective presence in the world of scientific communication, which is the introduction to science diplomacy, we must come out of our shell a little. Urban or city diplomacy is the same. Isfahan is attractive to others both in terms of its architectural monuments and urban history. In any case, these connections, whether at the scientific or administrative level, raise our standards and also pave the way for different fields. The main point, however, is that we must invest and be international in order to provide the necessary platforms for public diplomacy.
What do you think are the requirements and limitations in this field?
I think the requirements of the field of public diplomacy, including science diplomacy or city diplomacy, are that it is not too early, that is, it requires investment. You have to build a platform in a think tank or university that may take years to be noticed by international parties. Think tanks and universities that are currently being noticed have also gone through this period. This investment requires both human resources and financial resources. Another is that it requires freedom and discretion.
The broad horizons that people must have in the field of public diplomacy sometimes cause limitations. Our financial constraints, the difference between domestic income and its equivalent and spending abroad, visa restrictions due to sanctions and Iranophobia are limitations that may limit us to a few countries and institutions.
What is the difference between this diplomacy and official diplomacy?
In official diplomacy, things are much more dry and the diplomat’s hand is much more closed. Because he expresses the country’s positions at any given moment. But in public diplomacy, the person’s hand is typically more open, there is the possibility of correcting mistakes, he gets closer to the real layers of society and has a greater influence on creating will and decision-making. Public diplomacy is an inseparable wing of official diplomacy. Otherwise, everything will advance in form and the content will fundamentally lag behind the form.
Isfahan Ziba Link
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