The Malta Conferences • Science Diplomacy & the New Entrepreneurship

For the 2nd in our series of panel discussions, Narimon Safavi, an accomplished, Iranian radio journalist in world affairs and WBEZ commentator, moderates this lively discourse with Daniel Biss, Zafra Lerman, and Omar Farha, each representing a component of Science Diplomacy.

We want people to see that creating bonds at the professional level across borders is a valuable addition to the peace process. This discussion will emphasize three forms of engagement that each of our panelists represent:

1. Daniel Biss, the mayor of Evanston, IL, represents government and policy. Policy is the double-edged sword that can either help or hinder scientific and entrepreneurial collaboration cross border. Some of the reality of cross-border collaboration is that people risk imprisonment to do it. Malta gives at least one, and for some the only, opportunity to develop these relationships. But policy weaves its way through much more from intellectual property handling to economic sanctions. Frankly, these work at the state and local levels not just federal. This is where Daniel's experience in the IL legislature and now as Mayor help us imagine where policy can be the enabler and not the disabler in forming bonds and allowing research and entrepreneurship to flourish.

2. Zafra Lerman, the founder of The Malta Conferences, is an award winning, Israeli chemist. Science (research and academics) has always worked across borders and benefits from wider collaboration even across fields. Zafra’s 20 years of experience will speak to this.

3. Dr. Omar Farha, Founder of NuMat Technologies, is a Palestinian chemist and has commercialized his new research which is considered a new, important element of the scientific collaboration as a vehicle for good relations.

Entrepreneurship has become the currency of science, at least more than in the past. We see this also as governments and NGOs have backed off on some funding for political reasons. Important initiatives such as clean water and alternative energy are left to market solutions for better or for worse. We need to accept and foster the commercialization of research for its benefits but also as a community building tool cross borders.

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About The Malta Conferences:

Science and Entrepreneurship know no political boundaries. They explore, they build, they make the world a better place. The Malta Conferences address the shared desire to improve the quality of life and political stability in the Middle East. They serve to identify unique opportunities for collaboration to meet the scientific and technological challenges of the region. The conferences last for five days and deal with issues of science education, air and water quality, and alternative energy sources, among other topics of mutual interest.

With all the eyes of the world now on the Middle East, global leaders have recognized that science diplomacy is an extremely important mechanism for working toward stability in the Middle East. This is what the Malta Conferences have done for the past 18 years.

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Other Information:

Appetizers + drinks will be served.

Parking:

+ onsite parking available for VIPs.

+ first 20 guests can park free at George B. Swift Elementary school, just a block west of Colvin House. Please pull up to Colvin House's driveway gate (Thorndale Ave) first to receive a parking permit which will provide further instruction.

+ For $12-$14, valet parking is also available at the Malibu Condominiums (6007 N Sheridan) public garage, just across the street, north of Colvin House. This parking can be validated by Colvin House for $2.00 off.

+ There is also limited neighborhood street parking available. We recommend arriving early if you need to park.

+ We always encourage ridesharing. Colvin House is steps away from the Red Line stop at Thorndale, and bus stops on Broadway or Sheridan.

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