Geneva Science and Diplomacy Anticipator

In the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, at a time when infection rates were rather low and international travel possible, the inaugural Geneva Science and Diplomacy Anticipation Summit (or GESDA Summit) took place 7–9 October 2021 in Geneva, at Campus Biotech, where GESDA is headquartered. Widely considered as a success from the charts and numbers, this hybrid event attracted overall more than 900 participants (38% of whom being politicians and diplomats), both onsite and online, including 108 speakers from 33 nations.

Scientists and academics, diplomats, executives, investors, philanthropists and citizens gathered to participate in lively sessions and engaged discussions based on GESDA’s vision: “Use the future to build the present”.

All 16 plenary and parallel sessions held during the Summit have been thoroughly reported and compiled in the rich yet accessible Proceedings of the 2021 Geneva Science and Diplomacy Anticipation Summit.

In this account, fully available in a PDF format as well as online, a selection of emerging topics and possible breakthroughs identified in the GESDA Science Breakthrough Radar® and its four pillars – Quantum Revolution & Advanced AI, Human Augmentation, Eco-regeneration & Geoengineering, Science & Diplomacy –, are summarized with abstracts, highlights, takeaway messages, video recordings of the session, tweets, and related video interviews of some distinguished speakers.

From “Opening Quantum for the Benefit of Humanity”, to “Negotiating the Boundaries of our Genetic Future”, to “Advancing Science for Ocean Stewardship” by way of “Enriching Science with Citizen Voices and Values”, all sessions gave rise to interesting interactive debates among the panellists and with the attendees, some pointing to ideas where GESDA could play a possible role in the future.

We hope you will enjoy reading these proceedings, as much as the high-level attendees enjoyed taking part in this event, and GESDA organizing it.

The second Geneva Science and Diplomacy Anticipation Summit will take place at Campus Biotech again, from 12 to 14 October 2022, in presence of a very high-level line up of diplomats, politicians, scientists, decision-makers and representatives from philanthropy, corporations and the general public. Stay tuned on www.gesda.global for more information and the opening of the portal where anyone interested in attending may request an invitation.