Good afternoon, everyone, and thank you for having me here today.
I am JR Littlejohn, Acting Assistant Secretary of the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Oceans and International Environmental and Scientific Affairs - or OES for short.
In OES, we work on a wide range of issues, from ocean and nature conservation to climate change, global health, space, and emerging technologies. Additionally, we support “science diplomacy" - which has the goal of enabling international scientific collaboration for global benefit.
It is a great honor to join you all here today at the Akademi Ilmu Pengetahuan [ah-KAD-eh-ME EEL-moo PUNG-uh-tao-wan] Indonesia.
I have spent the past few days speaking with and learning from science and technology research communities in Laos and Thailand.
I am excited to now be here in Indonesia to learn more from all of you.
My trip has reaffirmed my belief that international science and technology cooperation is beneficial for the U.S. and our partners in the region.
As practitioners and researchers in the STEM field, you more than anyone, understand that international cooperation in S&T is key to many things, including:
* Accelerating knowledge development and innovation;
* Fostering economic growth at home and abroad;
* Working together to develop innovations to address global challenges like climate change and food security;
* Protecting our shared-democratic vision for our world; and
* Improving the lives of people and the health of the planet through science!
Today, I hope to learn more about your experiences, your research, and your views on the current state and future of S&T cooperation between Indonesia and the United States. How can we promote further collaboration between the U.S. and Indonesia? What are some of the impediments we can address together? In what fields would you like to see collaborations grow?
Let me stop here, and I would like to hear from all of you.
Source: U.S. Department of State, Bureau of East Asian and Pacific Affairs