Czech diplomatic service facilitates international collaboration in research and development of new technologies, both bilateral and multilateral, involving Czech scientists and innovators (activities usually referred to as diplomacy for science). Diplomats can build on unique qualities of Czech research and education (knowledge potential, developed human resources, state-of-the art facilities). From this perspective, diplomacy, and science diplomacy in particular, is based on an ability to communicate, establish and maintain contacts and build mutual trust in the long run. Such skills are usually called “soft”. However, in a more and more complex and more and more contradictory world of today, these “soft skills” are needed more than ever before.

One of the main goals is to support mutually beneficial collaborative projects in specific areas (such as digital technologies, artificial intelligence, new materials, e-health, green technologies etc.) The capability to embrace new discoveries and technologies will determine future economic growth and prosperity of advanced nations. At the same time, it will have major repercussions for their societal development and stability as well as their international standing. Disruptive technologies may bring about some risks that, if unabated, may undermine our democratic institutions. Those challenges can be ameliorated by international collaboration in developing and implementing global common rules and norms of behavior.