Dynamic Presence of the Asterousia Youth Group at the Expert Meeting on Scientific Diplomacy
Two representatives of the Youth Group of the Asterousia Biosphere Reserve participated in the Expert Meeting entitled “Shaping the Future through Science Diplomacy: From Global Dialogue to Regional Action,” which was held last week in Ljubljana, Slovenia, and organized by the UNESCO Regional Bureau for Science and Culture in Europe, in cooperation with the Government of Slovenia.
The representatives of the Asterousia Youth Group—Mr. G. Liakakis and Dr. Aik. Mantadaki, Greek National Focal Point for Youth of the MAB Programme and Alternate Member of the Regional Research and Innovation Council of Crete—were the only youth representatives among a group of international experts and senior officials. Their participation, which was fully supported by UNESCO, constitutes a strong indication of confidence in the role and contribution of youth.
During the discussions, it was emphasized that skills in science diplomacy have become indispensable in an era marked by global upheavals, escalating environmental pressures, and rapid technological advancements. Throughout the sessions, leading experts underscored the importance of strengthening trust in science, fostering collaboration, promoting open, responsible, and inclusive scientific practice, and managing shared natural resources through evidence-based dialogue.
These thematic areas are directly linked to the role and mission of Biosphere Reserves. As spaces for learning and experimentation in support of sustainable development, Biosphere Reserves function as living laboratories that integrate scientific knowledge, community engagement, and policy dialogue. Youth constitute a critical actor in this interface, serving as a bridge between local communities, the scientific community, and policy-making processes, and contributing to the advancement of equitable, forward-looking solutions.
The Youth Group expresses its sincere appreciation for the substantive exchanges of views with experts, including:
- Dr Samuel Partey — Head of the Science Unit, UNESCO Regional Bureau for Science and Culture in Europe,
- Ms Jing Fang — UNESCO Regional Bureau for Science and Culture in Europe,
- Professor Emmanouella Doussis — UNESCO Chair on Climate Diplomacy,
- Professor András Szöllősi-Nagy — UNESCO Chair on Water Conflict Management,
- Ms Anne-Sophie Stevance — International Science Council,
- Ms Sara Dalafi — The World Academy of Sciences,
- Dr Vesna Kuralt — REMEDIES, National Institute of Chemistry of Slovenia,
- Dr Pradeep Ghosh — Facility for Antiproton and Ion Research (FAIR) in Europe,
whose contributions strengthened a shared belief in cooperation and innovation as fundamental pillars for addressing contemporary challenges.
The Youth Group reaffirms its commitment to the development and mastery of scientific diplomacy skills, contributing meaningfully to this continuously evolving interface, with renewed motivation drawn from the activities of MAB Youth Greece and the work carried out in the Asterousia region.
We express our sincere gratitude for the support of the participation of the members of the Asterousia Youth Group and for the recognition of the importance of youth engagement in shaping the future of scientific diplomacy.
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