3rd International Symposium of the UNESCO Chair on Science Diplomacy and Scientific Heritage

Alliance of Civilizations Institute at Ibn Haldun University, Sharjah International Foundation for the History of Arab and Muslim Sciences (SIFHAMS), and the UNESCO Chair on Science Diplomacy and Scientific Heritage at the Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM) in collaboration with Youth and Education Service Foundation of Türkiye (TÜRGEV)  

Jointly Organizes

3rd International Symposium of the UNESCO Chair 

on Science Diplomacy and Scientific Heritage

“Cross-Continental Circulation of Knowledge and Scientific Bridges: 

Historical Legacies and Emerging Collaborations between the Muslim World and Latin America"

26-28 November 2025

Ibn Haldun University

Istanbul, Türkiye​

Call For Abstracts

Building on the success of the first two symposia, the 3rd International Symposium of the UNESCO Chair on Science Diplomacy and Scientific Heritage seeks to explore the historical and contemporary pathways of knowledge exchange between the Muslim World and Latin America. These two regions—rich in scientific legacies yet often overlooked in dominant global narratives—have long been sites of innovation, preservation, and transmission of knowledge across time and space.

This year’s theme, Cross-Continental Circulation of Knowledge and Scientific Bridges, places special emphasis on the role of science diplomacy in fostering dialogue, peace, and cooperation between the Muslim World and Latin America. The symposium aims to explore how scientific collaboration can serve as a platform for strengthening international relations, advancing shared goals, and addressing global challenges. Through high-level exchanges between scholars, policy-makers and policy experts, the event will examine innovative science diplomacy initiatives and develop a common framework for future cooperation rooted in mutual respect, human rights, and sustainable development.

By highlighting ongoing initiatives and identifying new opportunities in the Muslim World and Latin America, the symposium seeks to promote science diplomacy not merely as a concept, but as a concrete and actionable instrument for peacebuilding, intercultural understanding, and inclusive progress.

This event is jointly organized by the Alliance of Civilizations Institute at Ibn Haldun University (Türkiye), the Sharjah International Foundation for the History of Arab and Muslim Sciences (SIFHAMS) at the University of Sharjah (UAE), the UNESCO Chair on Science Diplomacy and Scientific Heritage at the National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM) and Youth and Education Service Foundation Foundation (TÜRGEV).

The symposium is multilingual and welcomes contributions in Arabic, Spanish, Turkish and English. 

We welcome papers and presentations that engage with (but are not limited to) the following themes:

• Historical trajectories of scientific exchange between Latin America and the Muslim World
• The role of translation, travel, and trade in the mobility of knowledge
• Shared intellectual traditions in astronomy, medicine, engineering, agriculture, etc.
• Case studies on scientific heritage preservation in both regions
• South–South cooperation and the future of science diplomacy
• Scientific institutions, archives, and museums as diplomatic actors
• Science communication and public understanding of heritage
• Epistemologies of the South and decolonizing global science
• Biographies and networks of scholars, engineers, and explorers
• Contemporary scientific collaboration: case studies and emerging initiatives

How to Submit

• Abstract Format: Abstracts should be concise, no more than 300 words, and include a title, authors, affiliations, and a summary of the research or project.
• Submission Process: Submit your abstract via email to unesco@ihu.edu.tr  before September 14. 
• Please ensure that your submission adheres to the provided guidelines.
• Selection Criteria: All submitted abstracts will be reviewed by a committee, and selections will be based on the relevance to the symposium’s themes, the quality of research, and the clarity of the abstract.

Organizing Committee:

Afşin Murat Taştan (Alliance of Civilizations Institute, IHU)

Ayaz Asadov (Alliance of Civilizations Institute, IHU)

Elif Leyal Uğraş (Bezmialem Vakif University)

Maamoun Abdulkarim (Sharjah University)

Mesut Idriz (SIFHAMS, Sharjah University)

Parsifal F. Islas-Morale (UNESCO Chair, UNAM)

Serap Özden (TÜRGEV)

Scientific Committee:

Ahmet Karakaya (Istanbul Medeniyet University)

Ana María Cetto (Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México)

Ercüment Asil (Ibn Haldun University)

Hasan Umut  (Bogazici University)

Jairo Alfonso Lugo-Ocando (University of Sharjah)

Mashhoor Alwardat (University of Sharjah)

Mustafa Kaçar (Fatih Sultan Mehmet Vakıf University)

Nadia Mehdi Alhasani (University of Sharjah)

Vahdettin Işık (Ibn Haldun University)

Yudy Tibaduiza (Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México)