Leading European academic and research networks have called for universities and scientific communities to be formally recognised as strategic actors in EU science diplomacy, emphasising the crucial role they play in fostering trust, shaping international cooperation, and informing global policy decisions.
In a recent communiqué published following a side event at the 2nd European Science Diplomacy Conference in Copenhagen (December 2025), The Guild, the COST Association, the Marie Curie Alumni Association (MCAA) and the U7+ Alliance highlighted that academic networks often contribute to science diplomacy in proactive, albeit understated ways. They argued that this contribution deserves stronger institutional acknowledgement within EU policy frameworks.
The call comes at a pivotal moment for science diplomacy in Europe, as EU institutions and Member States work towards a Council Recommendation on Science Diplomacy under the Cyprus Presidency—aimed at strengthening the strategic role of research and innovation in external relations.
Scientific networks underline that universities and research communities are more than knowledge producers: through long-term international partnerships, exchange of researchers, and policy engagement, they help build trust across borders, support multilateral dialogue, and bring evidence-based insights into global governance discussions. Better recognising them as strategic actors would strengthen Europe’s collective capacity to address global challenges such as technology competition, climate change, health threats and sustainable development.
In this context, Priority Area 7 (PA7) has joined COST Action CA24169 — Science in Diplomacy Network: implementing multilateral policymaking in intersectoral, cross-disciplinary & strategic domains (SiDnet), a new trans-European initiative to advance science diplomacy as a cross-disciplinary field and enhance the integration of scientific knowledge into multilateral policymaking processes. SiDnet brings together researchers, policymakers and practitioners from across Europe to collaborate on frameworks, guidance and training that reinforce the strategic role of science in diplomacy and policy. PA7 will continue to engage actively with this network and focus more on these issues in the coming period.
