2007 APS March Meeting
Volume 52, Number 1
Monday–Friday, March 5–9, 2007;
Denver, Colorado
Session J7: Scientific Cooperation in the Middle East
11:15 AM–2:15 PM,
Tuesday, March 6, 2007
Colorado Convention Center
Room: Korbel 4A-4B
Sponsoring
Units:
FIP FPS
Chair: Arthur Bienenstock, Stanford University
Abstract ID: BAPS.2007.MAR.J7.4
Abstract: J7.00004 : Creating an enduring framework for scientific cooperation in the Middle East
1:03 PM–1:39 PM
Preview Abstract
Abstract
Author:
Michael Greene
(The National Academies)
There are few channels for Israelis and Arabs to communicate directly when
tensions are high. Scientists, who always have channels open for scientific
communication, have a special responsibility to remain in contact with their
counterparts on the other side to provide an avenue for reasoned discourse.
Jordanian engineer Dr. Hani Mulki, former foreign minister and now science
advisor to the King of Jordan, once said that scientific cooperation should
not be a byproduct of peace, but a driving force.
Many of the senior Israeli, Palestinian, and Jordanian scientists know each
other and know how to work together, but it can be difficult for them to
meet or even to speak without the cover of an invitation from a foreign
organization; younger scientists unknown to the foreign organizations have
fewer opportunities. The activities sponsored by APS, NAS, AAAS, and others
are playing an important role, but what also is required are national and
regional scientific organizations that can independently convene meetings
and provide an umbrella for collaborative research. The academies of
sciences of Israel and Palestine and the Higher Council for Science and
Technology of Jordan have been working together for nearly two decades on
joint research, studies and conferences, but always under the sponsorship of
the U.S. National Academies or other international organizations. They
should be able to convene regional meetings and provide an umbrella for
cooperative research that can be sustainable without a foreign presence.
Since they are only a driving distance apart, there is much they can do
together for little money. Strengthening these academies, especially the
relatively new Palestine Academy for Science and Technology, should be a
high priority. Foreign scientific organizations should include the academies
of the region in their activities, as co-sponsors if possible, to enhance
their stature and encourage a role as independent conveners and sponsors of
cooperative research.
To cite this abstract, use the following reference: http://meetings.aps.org/link/BAPS.2007.MAR.J7.4