Science Diplomats Club

The Science Diplomats Club (SDC) is a social club that was founded in Washington, D.C. in 1965. The membership includes Science and Technology counselors, attachés, or representatives of research institutions from more than 40 Washington-based embassies, about half of them from Europe.[1] In addition, a few former science counselors, as well as some U.S. personalities, have been granted the status of SDC honorary members.

Science Diplomats Club
FormationJanuary 1965
TypeSocial club
Location
  • Washington, D.C.
Membership
130
Official language
English
Chair
Annick Suzor-Weiner

Mission

The principal purpose of SDC is:

"to provide an informal meeting place and networking channel for the Science Diplomats. Newcomers quickly find a group of colleagues with whom they can meet and 'learn the ropes' of the Washington science scene. Second, SDC offers a meeting forum where, on almost monthly basis, we get together to receive briefings on central science and technology issues of the day. Such encounters are useful in that they provide highly relevant information and insights on central matters, through discussion sessions with people from one of the many think tanks in Washington, with representatives from NIH, NSF, AAAS, the National Academies, NOAA or NIST. Also, dialogues with representatives from universities or various federal departments on pertinent issues of clear international relevance and consequence. ... SDC is thus a useful and dynamic two-way information and communications forum, benefiting the members and those science, technology and higher education stakeholders in Greater Washington wishing to stay in touch with the international science community. We are open to new suggestions and ideas on how to become an even more attractive and internationally oriented knowledge-promoting networking instrument".[2]

History

The Science Diplomats Club was established during a lunch held by the Embassy of Denmark at the Cosmos Club in January 1965. The club was the initial site for luncheons; when the Embassy of the Netherlands took over the secretariat, luncheons were also held at their embassy and other local restaurants. Starting in 1988, various science counselors started hosting luncheons either at their embassies, Meridian House, scientific/technical organizations, and, later on again, at the Cosmos Club.

During these luncheons, guest speakers from the government, associations, universities, and industries informed SDC members about developments in science and technology policy and on progress in R&D. In recent years, the club has also made visits to S&T organizations inside and outside the Washington area. In 2007 the Embassy of France began organizing "Science Breakfasts", which take place eight to ten times a year.

Apart from attending monthly luncheons and site visits, members are also invited to attend meetings at scientific and technical institutions, such as the National Academy of Sciences, National Institutes of Standards and Technology, etc.

The following persons have been chair of the SDC:

DatesChairEmbassy
Jan. 1965 – Jan. 1981Louis GrovenEmbassy of Belgium
Feb. 1981 – Dec. 1981Herman van VierssenEmbassy of the Netherlands
Jan. 1982 – Aug. 1984John GauntEmbassy of the United Kingdom
Aug. 1984 – Dec. 1989Cyril HideEmbassy of South Africa
Dec. 1989 – Sept. 1992Alastair AllcockEmbassy of the United Kingdom
Sept. 1992 – July 1994Claude WolffEmbassy of France
July 1994 – June 1997Paul op den BrouwEmbassy of the Netherlands
June 1997 – June 1998Donald L.P. StrangeEmbassy of Canada
June 1998 – June 1999Yoram ShapiraEmbassy of Israel
June 1999 – Dec. 2001Kees PlanquéEmbassy of the Netherlands
Jan. 2002 – Dec. 2005Jostein Mykletun[3]Embassy of Norway
Dec. 2005 – June 2010Paul op den BrouwEmbassy of the Netherlands
June 2010 – presentAnnick Suzor-Weiner[4]Embassy of France

Activities

As a social club, the SDC organizes social activities (e.g. summer and winter parties). However, it also organizes meetings with American personalities in the domain of science and diplomacy, encounters with US science advisers, international bodies, and think tanks. Nowadays, such meetings are organized on a more regular basis (the Science Breakfasts). The SDC also organizes external activities to visit science centers or technology parks,[5][6][7] jointly with agencies or diplomacy related associations, and participates in co-sponsoring events related to science diplomacy.[8][9][10]

Science Breakfasts

Since January 2007, together with the SDC, the Office of Science and Technology of the Embassy of France organizes monthly "Science Breakfasts", inviting a prominent member of the American science and technology community to speak to an audience of counselors from embassies in Washington.[11] Since the first session, in January 2007, 30 to 40 guests from 15 to 20 different countries, have had an occasion to strengthen ties with American leaders in science and technology and to ask them questions and spur dialog within a favorable context.

See also

References
  1. Petr Kavan (Czech Republic 2009 Presidency of the European Union) (April 2010). "2nd Report on the Networking of the Science Counselors of the EU Member States and the European Commission in the United States of America" (PDF). Delegation of the European Union to the USA.
  2. Jostein Mykletun (October 5, 2004). "The Washington Science Diplomat Club". Bridges. Ostina, Embassy of Austria, Washington, D.C. 192. Retrieved 2012-01-16.
  3. "Distinguished Leadership Award for Internationals". The University of Minnesota. 2006.
  4. "Election for APS International Councillor". American Physical Society site. 2011.
  5. John Murawski (November 18, 2010). "Diplomats seeing green in Triangle". The News & Observer Publishing Company, A subsidiary of The McClatchy Company.
  6. Hal Goodtree (November 30, 2010). "Environment: Science Diplomats visit Cary". CaryCitizen, 106 Blythewood Ct. Cary, NC.
  7. Lynn Van Fleit (November 17–19, 2010). "Foreign Diplomats Gather in North Carolina for International Dialogue on Clean Energy Partnerships, Green Innovation & Smart Grid Technologies". Diplomacy Matters. Retrieved 2011-11-11.
  8. Brian Delroy, Embassy of Australia (February 23, 2001). "Innovative web-based technology transfer services". eContent Management Pty Ltd.
  9. "Multi-Nation Conference on IP and green tech development". Business Week. April 26, 2011. Retrieved 2011-11-11.
  10. "IP and green tech development". Retrieved 2011-11-11.
  11. Office of Science & Technology (2011). "the Science Breakfast of the SDC archives". Embassy of France, Washington, D.C. Retrieved 2009-11-11.
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