Science diplomacy as a tool for promoting the interests of Czechia in Africa

The article examines the specifics of science diplomacy, a relatively new area of Czech foreign policy, with an emphasis on its application to sub-Saharan African countries. It is emphasized that EU member states have begun to use science and education more actively to advance their own interests am...

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Main Author: Mikhail V. Vedernikov
Format: Article
Language:Russian
Published: Institute of Europe Russian Academy of Sciences 2024-12-01
Series:Научно-аналитический вестник Института Европы РАН
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Online Access:http://dx.doi.org/10.15211/vestnikieran620242134
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author Mikhail V. Vedernikov
author_facet Mikhail V. Vedernikov
author_sort Mikhail V. Vedernikov
collection DOAJ
description The article examines the specifics of science diplomacy, a relatively new area of Czech foreign policy, with an emphasis on its application to sub-Saharan African countries. It is emphasized that EU member states have begun to use science and education more actively to advance their own interests amidst the desire to give the supranational union a geopolitical character. It is revealed that the African continent, being an arena for clashing interests of key global players, has also found itself in the optics of Prague, which, without significant resources, sought to use the previously accumulated potential to advance the EU course. It is noted that Czech-African relations have a long history and were characterized by high intensity during the times of socialist Czechoslovakia. The institutional structure of Czech science diplomacy at the present stage is analyzed, and the main actors involved in this activity are identified. Its main instruments on the Black Continent have been studied – concluding official agreements with local partners, involving national businesses in promoting Czech science, advertising Czech higher education, and conducting scientific diplomacy through official development assistance. It has been concluded that, given significant material and personnel constraints, the Czechs are relying on targeted, financially unburdensome projects that have long-term potential.
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spelling doaj-art-8604ca91036240c4aab72dd99fe800042025-01-22T17:36:41ZrusInstitute of Europe Russian Academy of SciencesНаучно-аналитический вестник Института Европы РАН2618-79142024-12-014262134http://dx.doi.org/10.15211/vestnikieran620242134Science diplomacy as a tool for promoting the interests of Czechia in AfricaMikhail V. Vedernikov0https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5046-719XInstitute of Europe, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, RussiaThe article examines the specifics of science diplomacy, a relatively new area of Czech foreign policy, with an emphasis on its application to sub-Saharan African countries. It is emphasized that EU member states have begun to use science and education more actively to advance their own interests amidst the desire to give the supranational union a geopolitical character. It is revealed that the African continent, being an arena for clashing interests of key global players, has also found itself in the optics of Prague, which, without significant resources, sought to use the previously accumulated potential to advance the EU course. It is noted that Czech-African relations have a long history and were characterized by high intensity during the times of socialist Czechoslovakia. The institutional structure of Czech science diplomacy at the present stage is analyzed, and the main actors involved in this activity are identified. Its main instruments on the Black Continent have been studied – concluding official agreements with local partners, involving national businesses in promoting Czech science, advertising Czech higher education, and conducting scientific diplomacy through official development assistance. It has been concluded that, given significant material and personnel constraints, the Czechs are relying on targeted, financially unburdensome projects that have long-term potential. http://dx.doi.org/10.15211/vestnikieran620242134science diplomacysub-saharan africaczech foreign policyczech-african relationsofficial development assistance
spellingShingle Mikhail V. Vedernikov
Science diplomacy as a tool for promoting the interests of Czechia in Africa
Научно-аналитический вестник Института Европы РАН
science diplomacy
sub-saharan africa
czech foreign policy
czech-african relations
official development assistance
title Science diplomacy as a tool for promoting the interests of Czechia in Africa
title_full Science diplomacy as a tool for promoting the interests of Czechia in Africa
title_fullStr Science diplomacy as a tool for promoting the interests of Czechia in Africa
title_full_unstemmed Science diplomacy as a tool for promoting the interests of Czechia in Africa
title_short Science diplomacy as a tool for promoting the interests of Czechia in Africa
title_sort science diplomacy as a tool for promoting the interests of czechia in africa
topic science diplomacy
sub-saharan africa
czech foreign policy
czech-african relations
official development assistance
url http://dx.doi.org/10.15211/vestnikieran620242134
work_keys_str_mv AT mikhailvvedernikov sciencediplomacyasatoolforpromotingtheinterestsofczechiainafrica