International Scientific Cooperation

Abstract

In recent times the importance and opportunities a globalized science can offer have become more and more clear and needed. In a world struggling with economic depression, pollution, global warming, over population and looking for a reliable and unlimited source of energy capable of supporting the current needs, science and scientific knowledge needs to be at the center of every state policies. In this thesis I will first give an overview of the first years of international scientific cooperation and what it means for nations to work together. I will describe one of the first international cooperation, the Manhattan Project, and then move on to more recent time and how globalization has changes the way of doing science. Another important point I will take into consideration is the role science can play in international diplomacy, as a tool for nations to find common grounds and build something that can bring them closer. I will then move on to describe modern international cooperation projects, especially the ISS, being the most expensive international project ever started, and ITER, probably the world´s best chance at finding a reliable and durable solution to the energy problem. On ITER I will then focus on the creation of the project, thus analyzing the path that led to the signing of the agreement and of the Domestic Agencies as well as analyzing the problems the project has and is encountering. I will try to provide possible solutions for most of these problems, for the ITER project itself as well as for all future international scientific cooperation projects.