The Embassy of Switzerland and the Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC) are organizing, in collaboration with Geneva Science and Diplomacy Anticipator (GESDA), the 7th Hispano-Swiss Meeting on Innovation focusing on diplomacy and neurotechnology. The CSIC’s auditorium will be the setting for this edition, which will take place on 5 November 2025 at 7 pm.
While previous editions of the Encounters have focused on scientific cooperation between Spain and Switzerland in fields such as quantum science, robotics or energy transition, The seventh edition aims to strengthen the links between neurotechnology and diplomacy. The meeting aims to foster constructive dialogue and active collaboration between the scientific and diplomatic communities, in order to establish an exchange on the advances, opportunities and risks of neurotechnology.
To this end, the meeting will bring together diplomats, scientists, academics and representatives of the private sector. The latest developments in the field of neurotechnology will be discussed through a round table involving representatives from both countries. In addition, a cocktail will be offered at the end of the event to facilitate an informal meeting space between attendees.
Eloísa del Pino, President of the Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC), and Marilyne Andersen, Director General of the Geneva Science and Diplomacy Anticipator (GESDA) will deliver a welcome speech. A round table will then take place composed by Maria V. Sanchez-Vives (ICREA Research Professor – IDIBAPS), Nicolas Vachicouras (CEO – Neurosoft Bioelectronics), Milena Costas (Advisor – Human Rights Council of the United Nations) and Rafael Yuste (virtual) (Professor of Biological Sciences and Director of the Centre for Neurotechnology – Columbia University). The event will be moderated by Nadia Isler (Deputy Head of Mission – Embassy of Switzerland to Spain and Andorra).
Later there will be a Wrap-Up by Enrico Letta, President of the GESDA Diplomatic Forum and Dean of the IE School of Politics, and will give a closing speech Heinrich Schellenberg, Ambassador of Switzerland to Spain and Andorra. Then, at 8.15 pm, a networking cocktail will take place.
The meeting is free and limited by registration via this link and by e-mail to: madrid.innovacion@eda.admin.ch.