The Great Policy Debate: National Interests vs. Global Goals

As an international institute addressing complex challenges through multilateral collaborations, IIASA frequently navigates the delicate balance between tackling pressing global and regional issues and informing national policies of its member countries. In this debate, experts in systems thinking, policymakers, and scientific advisors will be assigned opposing positions—either advocating for a global/regional approach or a national approach. This structured debate format is designed to spark intense conversations, ensure equal representation of both perspectives, and explore how to effectively reconcile global coordination with national priorities in addressing the world’s most pressing challenges.

While science and policy solutions must often be tailored to the specific needs and contexts of individual nations, global issues—such as climate change, pandemics, and biodiversity loss—demand coordinated action and multilateral cooperation. Science advice, therefore, must navigate the fine line between offering solutions that can be universally applied and acknowledging the unique political, social, and economic realities faced by different countries and local contexts. This debate centers on whether policies should prioritize national sovereignty, and immediate citizen needs or whether global collaboration and shared responsibility should take precedence in addressing complex, cross-border challenges. This dynamic will raise critical questions about the role of scientific expertise in shaping policy at both the national and global levels.

The friendly debate will be followed by a Fishbowl with Open Chair discussion, beginning with the debate speakers and inviting audience members to join the conversation, share their experiences, and offer diverse perspectives.

Speakers include:

• Keywan Riahi, IIASA Energy, Climate and Environment Program Director 
• Lena Höglund-Isaksson, IIASA Pollution Management Research Group Senior Research Scholar
• Jan Marco Muller, Team Leader Global Approach, Multilateral Dialogue and Science Diplomacy, European Commission
• Professor Gina El-Feky, Acting President, Academy of Scientific Research & Technology and IIASA Council Member
• Nebojsa Nakicenovic, Deputy Chair, Group of Chief Scientific Advisors and IIASA Distinguished Emeritus Research Scholar
• Jaakko Kuosmanen, Academy Secretary, Finnish Academy of Sciences and Letters