The Leopoldina provides evidence-based answers to questions of international relevance. It advises international policy-makers and is the voice of the German scientific community abroad. It acts as a facilitator of science diplomacy and supports persecuted scientists.

Finding answers through scientific expertise

The Leopoldina brings together global scientific expertise, providing suitable fora in high-profile symposia. These are organized worldwide, together with partner academies, renowned research and science organizations, and universities. This international and interdisciplinary exchange makes it possible to identify accurate and comprehensive answers to the challenges of our time. Science transcends borders and speaks an international language.

Providing international advice

Global challenges, such as infectious diseases, climate change, and digital transformation, can only be addressed at the international level. This is why the Leopoldina is engaged in providing international science-based policy advice. In partnership with the National Academies of the G7 and G20 countries, it advises the annual summits of Heads of State and Government.

The President of the Leopoldina also serves as Chief Science Advisor to the German Federal Government in the European Science Advisors Forum (ESAF).

At EU level, the Leopoldina is active in the European Academies’ Science Advisory Council (EASAC), an association of the national academies of the European Union Member States. From 2010 to 2021, the EASAC office was located at the Leopoldina’s headquarters in Halle (Saale). The Leopoldina is also a member of multinational networks of academies, such as the InterAcademy Partnership (IAP), the Federation of the European Academies of Medicine (FEAM) and the All European Academies (ALLEA).

Engaging in science diplomacy

The Leopoldina is active in various forms of science diplomacy. It builds upon the reputation, the networks and the entire repertoire of science to improve international relations.

The Leopoldina’s Human Rights Committee (HRC) supports scientists all over the world who are subject to repression because of their scientific work.

Since 2014, the Leopoldina has been coordinating the Western Balkans Process Joint Science Conference, a science diplomacy initiative aimed at bringing the Balkan countries closer to the EU and overcoming tensions through regional cooperation.