01 November 2017

IIASA leadership at the 9th Canadian Science Policy Conference

IIASA Director General and CEO, Professor Dr. Pavel Kabat, visited Canada to participate in the 9th Canadian Science Policy Conference (CSPC) which took place in Ottawa on 1-3 November 2017.

(L-R) Mona Nemer, Chief Science Advisor of Canada and IIASA Director General and CEO Professor Dr. Pavel Kabat © IIASA

(L-R) Mona Nemer, Chief Science Advisor of Canada and IIASA Director General and CEO Professor Dr. Pavel Kabat © IIASA

Established in 2009, the CSPC meets an important need for a non-partisan, inclusive, national dialogue on science, technology and innovation policy. The CSPC has become Canada’s most comprehensive, multi-sectorial and multi-disciplinary annual science policy forum and attracts numerous politicians and hundreds of professionals from industry, academia, the non-profit sector, federal and provincial governments every year. 

During the event, Kabat participated in one of the panel sessions and attended a number of bilateral side meetings with key members of Canadian government and academia to discuss strengthening Canada-IIASA relations. The meetings included Mona Nemer, Chief Science Advisor of Canada and Anil Arora, Chief Statistician of Canada.

Iain Stewart, Head of IIASA External Relations, Communications and Library and IIASA Secretary for National Member Organizations accompanied Kabat on the visit.

(L-R) The Right Honorable Julie Payette Governor General of Canada and IIASA Director General and CEO Professor Dr. Pavel Kabat ©IIASA

Panel Session Internationalisation of Canadian Science

On Friday 3 November, Kabat particpated in the panel session "Internationalisation of Canadian Science." 

In an age of uncertainty and rising populist and nationalist sentiments, science represents a positive and powerful driver of prosperity, security, development and progress. Many countries, including Canada's competitors,  have moved to put into place international science policies and programs which respond to the evolving operating environment. Canadian performance, however, has been mixed, and new directions and initiatives must be undertaken if Canada's place in the globalizing world of international science cooperation is to be ensured. 

(L-R) IIASA Director General and CEO Professor Dr. Pavel Kabat and Kirsty Duncan, Minister of Science, Government of Canada. ©IIASA

Canada retains substantial scientific capacity and potential, residing mainly in various levels of government, academia, research institutes, and specialized NGOs. Key players could expand their engagement in collaborative efforts to address the vexing range of "wicked", transnational, S&T-driven issues, ranging from climate change and pandemic disease to food and water insecurity, urbanization and declining biodiversity. Special opportunities exist for Canada to demonstrate leadership in the emerging field of science diplomacy, for instance in efforts to better manage the global commons and achieve the UN SDGs, but re-investment and new partnerships will be essential.

This panel reviewed the record to date, provided a comparative perspective, surveyed best practices and presented options and recommendations for future action. It was chaired by Jane Barratt, Secretary General of the International Federation on Ageing, other participants included Daryl Copeland, Senior Fellow at the Canadian Global Affairs Institute and Policy Fellow at the University of Montreal’s Centre for International Studies and Research (CERIUM) and Paul Dufour, Fellow and Adjunct Professor, Institute for Science, Society and Policy, University of Ottawa.

IIASA Alumni at CSPC

(L-R) IIASA Director General and CEO Professor Dr. Pavel Kabat and Chibulu (Lulu) Luo, PhD Candidate from the University of Toronto and former participant in the IIASA YSSP © IIASA

Also joining Kabat on the panel was Chibulu (Lulu) Luo. Lulu, who is a PhD Candidate from the University of Toronto. She investigates the linkages between sustainable infrastructure and urban planning in sub-Saharan African cities, including issues of urban resilience and adaptation to climate change. Her international and interdisciplinary research was enhanced through taking part in the IIASA Young Scientists Summer Program (YSSP) in 2016. Prior to this, Lulu has worked extensively in international development, including with the Earth Institute at Columbia University, the United Nations and the World Bank. 



Photo Gallery

17.11 IIASA and Canada


Canadian Participation in IIASA Research and Capacity Building Activities since 2008

  • IIASA researchers have collaborated with 32 research partners in Canada.
  • An average of 9 Canadian researchers have been employed as researchers at IIASA every year. 
  • 5 Canadian students have participated in the Young Scientists Summer Program (YSSP), which develops the research skills and networks of talented PhD students. For the YSSP and the Postdoctoral Program, IIASA gives preference to applicants from member countries.   
  • 60 Canadians have visited IIASA and participated in IIASA organized events.
  • IIASA researchers have visited Canada over 50 times to attend conferences, present their research, and to discuss research collaborations and activities.
  • Canadian-IIASA collaborations have results in more than 200 publications.

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Last edited: 02 November 2017

Internationali -sation of Canadian Science (PPT)

by Professor Dr. Pavel Kabat

9th Canadian Science Policy Conference

Program Overview

HIGHLIGHTS OF RECENT CANADA-IIASA ACTIVITIES (PDF)

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