Science diplomacy is an effective tool for strengthening ties between nations, contributing not only to academic cooperation but also to sustainable growth and collective well-being. Exchanges of knowledge, research and development can develop in all fields, both scientific and humanistic.
Science diplomacy originated with modern science, at the time of Galileo Galilei, but it has regained momentum in recent decades, leading international scientific dialogue to become a true foreign policy tool. It is no coincidence that in recent years the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation has considerably increased the number of Scientific Attachés, not only in the various Embassies of Italy around the world, but also in some Consulates and at different International Organizations, creating a widespread network to support scientific diplomacy. The Italian Embassy in Jakarta, since 2022, after an absence of almost 20 years, also has a Scientific Attaché.
Scientific cooperation between Italy and Indonesia has been formalized in several bilateral agreements and Memoranda of Understanding (MoU), both at the state level and between pairs of Universities and/or Research Institutions in the two countries. Among the topics that are addressed together are natural hazards, the energy transition, climate change, sustainability, archaeology, medicine and telemedicine, economics, mathematics, the reduction of smoking risks, political science, international relations, and agriculture.
The Italian Embassy and the Italian Cultural Institute in Jakarta, often in synergy with Uni-Italia, ICE and the Italian Business Association in Indonesia play a crucial role in facilitating collaborative networks between researchers, faculty and students from both countries. Such initiatives provide opportunities for cultural and academic exchange, enhancing the dialogue between different scientific realities.
An Agreement on Scientific and Technological Cooperation has been in force since April 18, 2000, introducing cooperation in the areas of energy and new energy sources, technologies for the development of small and medium-sized enterprises and tech clusters, as well as in the area of emerging technologies, including lasers, robotics, nanotechnology and new materials.