Review of the Conference ‘Science Diplomacy and Heritage: On the Politics of Fragments, the Role of Science, and the Perception of Lacunas’

One week ago, the conference “Science Diplomacy and Heritage: On the Politics of Fragments, the Role of Science, and the Perception of Lacunas” took place at the Teatrino di Palazzo Grassi in Venice, bringing together leading voices from diplomacy, academia, arts and cultural institutions.

A big thank you to Ali Cherri whose work was an essential inspiration for the symposium and adds a conceptual dimension to our thinking. With his performance “The Book of Mud”, he provided a poetic and evocative closing to the conference.

Thanks to Chabel Haber, Jamika Ajalon and Souhaib Ayoub for the fantastic performance!

The first keynote by Dan Hicks introduced a critical reflection on fragments, heritage, and the narratives through which they shape our understanding of the past and present. Panel I explored the importance of relationships and dialogue at the intersection of culture, science, and diplomacy, illustrating through concrete cases why a multilateral approach is essential.

In the afternoon, Peggy Oti-Boateng delivered the second keynote, highlighting how science diplomacy links traditional knowledge with technological innovation, showing how collaborative scientific practice can strengthen cultural resilience and shared global futures. Panel II explored how science diplomacy emerges through education, equitable cooperation, and knowledge exchange, emphasizing the need for decolonized perspectives, shared resources, and collaborative heritage initiatives across regions and institutions.

In the late afternoon, artist Ali Cherri and Bruno Racine, Director of Palazzo Grassi – Punta della Dogana, engaged in a conversation moderated by Christina Hainzl, reflecting on the relationship between contemporary artistic practice and cultural heritage before the day concluded with the artist’s performance.

The detailed post-conference report can be read here.

For further context on science diplomacy initiatives in Europe, see the EU Science Diplomacy Alliance website.

We thank all speakers, partners, and participants for their contributions to this enriching day in Venice!

Photo Credits:
© Palazzo Grassi – Pinault Collection, Venezia. Photo: Matteo De Fina
© Ali Cherri
© University for Continuing Education Krems, Viola Rühse