Young Academy of Sweden headed to Geneva

The meeting began at the Union for International Cancer Control (UICC) where chairperson Ronnie Berntsson welcomed all participants. Following this, the group engaged in internal discussions. Maria Barbara Leon, COO of UICC, then greeted the group and discussed UICC.

Next, there was a highly appreciated guided tour of the United Nations headquarters in Europe at Palais des Nations where we learned about the role and activities of the UN in Geneva. UN in Geneva focuses on human rights, it is led by Secretary-General Tatiana Valovaya. It is said that ‘if the UN in New York is the restaurant, then the UN in Geneva is the kitchen’. SUA also had the opportunity to listen to ongoing meetings about human rights in some of the many, huge conference rooms.

Meeting with Swiss Young Academy

The Swedish Young Academy met its sister organisation, the Swiss Young Academy, in Geneva to discuss science diplomacy and international cooperation. One of the Swiss Young Academy’s projects is the Swiss Young Network for Science Policy and Diplomacy (SYNESPOD). SYNESPOD organised a workshop where the members discussed opportunities to contribute to science diplomacy.

The meeting also included an introduction to the work of both academies, an exchange of best practices, and presentations of current research from the academies’ members.

The scientific presentations were given by Nawal Kinan, a postdoctoral researcher in radiology and medical informatics at the University of Geneva, Lucas Mueller, a postdoctoral researcher in history at the University of Geneva, and Christian Ohm, associate professor in experimental particle physics at the Royal Institute of Technology in Stockholm and CERN.

The day ended with a joint dinner at the residence of Sweden’s permanent representation in Geneva, hosted by Ambassador Anna Jardfelt, who invited representatives offering multiple perspectives (trade and patents, human rights, AI) on international cooperation in research and innovation. It was emphasized that the geopolitical situation, along with the advancements in AI and digitalization, pose challenges to international cooperation and impact Sweden’s position.

Geneva not only serves as a hub for diplomatic activities but also provides a crucial centre for international collaboration and science diplomacy. The visit to the UN provided insight into how international organisations like the UN work to promote peace, security, and cooperation globally. The experience reinforced the theme of the meeting and illustrated the role of science and research in global issues.

The Young Academy of Sweden at CERN

The Young Academy of Sweden also had the great pleasure of visiting CERN in Switzerland for an inspiring day, with visits to several of the research facility’s core facilities, including the famous ATLAS experiment. SUA member Christian Ohm, a particle physicist at CERN, arranged a tailor-made, wonderful program that included research, history, international cooperation, as well as culture and everyday life at CERN (#teamAtlas!!).

CERN, formally known as the European Organization for Nuclear Research, is the world’s largest particle physics laboratory. The organisation (originally the Conseil Européen pour la Recherche Nucléaire) was founded in 1953 to promote scientific research and international collaboration. CERN is famous for its Large Hadron Collider (LHC), the largest and most powerful particle accelerator in the world, where several crucial discoveries have been made, including the discovery of the Higgs boson in 2012, which was also awarded the Nobel Prize in Physics in 2013.

The visit started at CERN’s first accelerator, the Synchro-Cyclotron. This was followed by a tour of Christian’s workplace, the ATLAS experiment, where we got an introduction to the complex scientific processes and work being done there. A 3D movie screening in the control room provided further insight into how the LHC and the ATLAS experiment work. A coffee break gave the YAS members a chance to digest the morning’s impressions and prepare for the continued program.

Peter Jenni, Honorary Professor at Albert Ludwigs University in Freiburg and former spokesperson for the ATLAS experiment, shared insights into how thousands of researchers around the world collaborate, how such projects are funded and organised, and how knowledge is created in particle physics. Jenni played a crucial role in bringing together universities and funders in the 1990s and led the experiment for over a decade.

Somehow, the YAS also managed to address significant internal matters and work meetings in the preparation groups. The visit to CERN concluded with a tour of the antimatter factory, where participants gained insight into the production of antimatter, another exciting aspect of modern physics.