The world is experiencing breakthrough science and technological advances at an unprecedented speed, which are sometimes hard to grasp. These discoveries will reshape how we view ourselves as humans, how we relate to each other in society and how we care for our environment. In this context, the Geneva Science and Diplomacy Anticipator Foundation (GESDA), launched in 2019, aims to leverage the Geneva international ecosystem to anticipate the advances in scientific frontier issues ; accelerate and accompany the development of related initiatives and applications ; and translate these into concrete actions and solutions for a better future.
Where science and international affairs converge
At the upcoming inaugural GESDA Summit, scientists, diplomats, executives, investors, philanthropists and citizens will gather to drive inclusive discussions and sustainable collaborations, bringing anticipation-based science and diplomacy to the fore, in an effort to safeguard our collective welfare and to make the most of where scientific knowledge takes us. The event will be held from 7 to 9 October at Geneva’s science hub, Campus Biotech, where GESDA is headquartered.
Among the issues that will be addressed during the interactive sessions are the global challenges for human genome engineering ; a common future for quantum computing ; the road to the utilization of space resources ; the co-development of advanced AI at a global scale with universal safe access ; and the future of financing and development schemes based on science advances.
GESDA’s Science Breakthrough Radar
During the event, GESDA will also introduce the Science Breakthrough Radar, a new global system for identifying the most significant laboratory advances expected within five, 10 and 25 years. This novel tool draws on the collective work of more than 500 leading experts in the Swiss and global scientific communities.
Geneva as the world capital of multilateral science diplomacy
Ahead of the summit, GESDA announced a partnership with the XPRIZE Foundation, a California-based organization that designs and hosts public competitions intended to encourage technological development to benefit humanity. The two foundations will work together on a global competition on quantum computing. GESDA and XPRIZE also plan to collaborate on launching more incentive competitions around hot topics that emerge from GESDA’s Science Breakthrough Radar. As part of this new partnership, XPRIZE will set up its European headquarters in Geneva, the world capital of multilateral science diplomacy.
