20 years of FIAS - 70 years of CERN: a reason to celebrate and exchange ideas. The FIAS Forum hosted Charlotte Lindberg Warakaulle, the first Director of International Relations at CERN, the European Organisation for Nuclear Research.

Warakaulle describes CERN as ‘a success story of scientific diplomacy’. The founding idea of a joint European and global research institute was conceived back in 1949, when Europe was still in ruins. Its foundation in September 1954 was a fascinating and visionary step: to this day, people from all corners of the world conduct joint research here, even those who otherwise have no diplomatic relations.

Warakaulle describes the SESAME collaboration in Jordan as an example: Here, even Israelis and Palestinians work together with many colleagues from other countries in the region.

‘This only works if high-level science attracts researchers,’ emphasises Warakaulle. For example, the idea for the World Wide Web (WWW) originated at CERN, as did important foundations for medicine, for example in the fields of cancer therapy, positron emission tomography (PET), 3D X-rays and nuclear medicine.

In her presentation, the CERN Director summarised that high-level science diplomacy generally facilitates international cooperation, that science is an important bridge-builder and an essential source of advice and ideas for international politics.

The lively discussion with the FIAS Forum guests continued afterwards over pretzels and wine in the FIAS rooftop.

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