Welcome!

Dear guests,

The Federal Ministry of Research, Technology and Space (BMFTR) is very pleased to organise for the first time the International Conference for European Science Attachés: "Reinforcing European Alliances in a Changing World" in Berlin.

Bringing together European Science Attachés, the conference aims at strengthening the European network and dialogue in science diplomacy.

The conference will take place on

Tuesday, 24 November 2026

11:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.

at

BMFTR, Kapelle-Ufer 1, 10117 Berlin.

The participants will discuss practical issues, such as:

  • How are European Science Attachés addressing the current geopolitical challenges?

  • How has the role of European Science Attachés changed in practice?

  • How do European Science Attachés manage to be “as open as possible and as closed as necessary”?

  • What would be the added value of better networking amongst European Science Attachés?

The exchange will take place in four thematic working groups:

  1. Tech/innovation diplomacy (AI, quantum technology)

  2. Openness vs. national interests and research security

  3. Networking: tools and platforms

  4. Training and capacity building

Following the conference, at 6:00 p.m., a reception at the Museum für Naturkunde, Invalidenstraße 43, 10115 Berlin, will provide a further opportunity for discussion and exchange.


We look forward to welcoming you to Berlin for an inspiring day of dialogue, collaboration and networking.

Agenda

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Registration and Networking

-

Welcome

  • Dr Marcus Pleyer, State Secretary, Federal Ministry of Research, Technology and Space (BMFTR), Germany

  • Dr Colm O'Reardon, Secretary General, Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, Ireland

  • Nienke Buisman, Head of Unit “International cooperation, Asia, Pacific, Africa & The Middle East”, European Commission

-

Introduction: Current Developments in Science Diplomacy

  • Alexander Soucek, Head of External Relations Department at the European Space Agency (ESA)

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Panel Discussion: Challenging Tasks and New Opportunities in the Day-to-day Duties of Science Attachés

  • Dr Effrosyni Chelioti, Head of Department “Strategies and Policy Issues” and "International Affairs and Europe", Federal Ministry of Research, Technology and Space (BMFTR), Germany

  • Andrei-Cosmin Luca, Director for Cultural Diplomacy, Education and Science, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Romania

  • Dr Hans-Josef Linkens, First Counsellor (Science), German Embassy London

  • Dr Minh-Hà Pham, International Development Officer, CNRS Foundation, France

  • Dr Gediminas Ramanauskas, First Counsellor, Head of Research and Innovation Section, Delegation of the European Union to Israel

-

Business Lunch with Minister Dorothee Bär

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Thematic Working Groups: Successful Approaches, Policy Recommendations and Networking

Tech/Innovation Diplomacy (AI, quantum technology)

  • Dr Martin Wählisch, University of Birmingham, United Kingdom

Openness vs. National Interests and Research Security

  • Martina Hartl, Deputy Head of Unit for International Research Cooperation, Ministry of Education, Science and Research, Austria

Networking: Tools & Platforms

  • Dr Michael Harms, Deputy Secretary General, German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD), Germany

  • Béatrice Khaiat, Deputy General Director, Campus France

Training and Capacity Building

  • Martina Schubert, Deputy Director of the Vienna School of International Studies/ Diplomatische Akademie Wien, Austria

-

Coffee Break

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Key Takeaways (expert discussion)

  • Tiina Vihma-Purovaara, Senior Ministerial Adviser, Ministry of Education and Culture, Finland

  • Julian Goldmann, Science and Research Officer, German Institute Taipei

  • Dr Tim Flink, Association of Research-Based Pharmaceutical Companies, Germany

  • Dr Vytautas Jankauskas, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Lithuania

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Closing Remarks

  • Dr Marcus Pleyer, State Secretary, Federal Ministry of Research, Technology and Space (BMFTR), Germany

-

Transfer to the Evening Reception

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Evening Reception with State Secretary Dr Marcus Pleyer

Registration

Kindly fill in your information in order to register for the events. Please note that fields marked with an asterisk (*) are mandatory.

After successfully registering, you will receive an automatic confirmation of receipt. If you do not receive this confirmation, please contact the organizing team by email at conference@science-attaches.eu.

Location

Federal Ministry of Research, Technology and Space (BMFTR)

Kapelle-Ufer 1, 10117 Berlin, Deutschland
10117 Berlin

Public transport

From Berlin Central Station (Berlin Hauptbahnhof)

Berlin Central Station is served by local, regional and long-distance trains, the S-Bahn lines S3, S5, S7, S9 and S15, the U5 underground line, as well as the tram lines M5, M8 and M10.

The BMFTR is located approximately 250 m (4-minute walk) from Berlin Central Station.

From Berlin Brandenburg Airport (BER)

Take the Airport Express (FEX) or a regional train (RE20) to Berlin Central Station (Berlin Hauptbahnhof). The journey takes approximately 23 minutes. From there, the BMFTR is approximately 250 m (4-minute walk) away.

By car/taxi

From Berlin Brandenburg Airport (BER), the journey to the BMFTR takes approximately 35–45 minutes, depending on traffic.

The evening reception will take place at the Museum of Natural History.

The Museum of Natural History

Invalidenstraße 43, 10115 Berlin, Deutschland
10115 Berlin

Shuttle

A shuttle service will be provided from the German Federal Ministry of Research, Technology and Space (BMFTR) to the Museum of Natural History. Departure is scheduled for 17.15.

Public transport

The nearest station is Naturkundemuseum, served by the U6 underground line and the tram lines M5, M8 and M10. The museum is just a 2-minute walk from the station.

From Berlin Central Station (Berlin Hauptbahnhof)

Take tram M5, M8 or M10 to Naturkundemuseum. The journey takes approximately 3 minutes, followed by a 2-minute walk to the museum.

Practical Information

Hotels in Berlin


The hotels listed below represent an initial selection of possible accommodation options. Please note that no room contingents have been reserved.


Steigenberger Hotel am Kanzleramt

  • Distance: 600 m from BMFTR

  • Walking: approx. 8 minutes

  • By taxi: approx. 3 minutes

IntercityHotel Berlin Hauptbahnhof

  • Distance: 650 m from BMFTR

  • Walking: approx. 9 minutes

  • By taxi: approx. 3 minutes

MEININGER Hotel Berlin Central Station

  • Distance: 600 m from BMFTR

  • Walking: approx. 8 minutes

  • By taxi: approx. 3 minutes

Hotel AMANO Grand Central

  • Distance: 950 m from BMFTR

  • Walking: approx. 13 minutes

  • By taxi: approx. 4 minutes

Support

Organiser
Federal Ministry of Research, Technology and Space (BMFTR)
International Affairs and Europe, Division “International and European Policy Issues; G7, G20, OECD, UN” (I-G)


For content-related inquiries
DLR Project Management Agency
European and International Cooperation, Division “International Strategies and Instruments”


For organisational inquiries
The Organising Team | International Conference for European Science Attachés
Gustav-Meyer-Allee 25 | 13355 Berlin, Germany
E-mail: conference@science-attaches.eu