Haze problems need to be addressed using science diplomacy - Academy of Sciences

Science diplomacy should be engaged to address the haze problem blanketing the country, said Academy of Sciences Malaysia (ASM) secretary-general Tan Sri Ahmad Zaidee Laidin.

He said science diplomacy should be used as haze has no respect for country boundaries and just get blown away back and forth.

"Through science diplomacy the countries will think about actions that will be taken after any communication that takes place," he said at the closing ceremony of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Young

Scientists Workshop in Effective Science Communication in the 21st Century, here Thursday.

The Wikipedia defines science diplomacy as the use of scientific collaborations among nations to address common problems and to build constructive international partnerships.

Ahmad Zaidee said besides haze, scientists should be appropriately equipped to play the role of a versatile communicator and educator in issues like energy, water crisis, infectious diseases such as ebola outbreak, epidemic influenza, dengue, droughts, floods and landslides.

On Wednesday, Indonesian President Joko Widodo said Indonesia required three years to address the issue of burning of fields and forests in the country, and solve the haze problem which are faced by its neighbouring countries currently.

Meanwhile, Science, Technology and Innovation Minister, Datuk Madius Tangau in his speech read out by the ministry's deputy secretary- general (science), Dr Zulkifli Mohamed Hashim, said there is an urgent need to disseminate information to the masses in layman's terms.

For the idea to materialise, the scientific community needs to polish their science communication skills, he said.

The workshop, organised jointly by ASM's Young Scientists Network, APEC and Science, Technology and Innovation Ministry was attended by 70 local and international participants comprising young scientists and media practitioners from 10 APEC countries.

The outcome of the case studies from the workshop would be used as a guide in developing effective science communication policies by the APEC economies.