Quantum Diplomacy in Action: Vancouver Debut
Explore how science diplomacy, education, and collaboration shaped Canada's first Quantum Diplomacy Game at an international event in Vancouver.
Quantum Future
By Elke Porter | WBN News Vancouver | May 6, 2025
On Monday, May 5th, the Segal Building in downtown Vancouver hosted a thought-provoking event titled Creating the Quantum Future – Education, Innovation, and Diplomacy. Organized by the Consulates General of Switzerland and France, in collaboration with Simon Fraser University’s Department of Physics and Mitacs, the event brought together researchers, students, and diplomats to explore the future of quantum technologies through the lens of education, inclusion, and governance.
The day began with a compelling panel discussion featuring four accomplished women in quantum science. Moderator
- Ana M. Ciocoiu, Integrated Circuit Designer II, D-Wave
as well as:
- Dr. Daria Ahrensmeier, Lecturer, SFU Department of Physics
- Dr. Chloé Malbrunot, Research Scientist, TRIUMF
- Dr. Ulrike Stege, Associate Professor, University of Victoria
Together, they addressed the persistent lack of diversity in physics and shared strategies to make the field more inclusive and accessible to the next generation of leaders.
After a networking lunch, attendees—including Elke Porter, with Westcoast German News, and 30+ others—participated in the Quantum Diplomacy Game, an interactive role-playing experience developed by GESDA and the Open Quantum Institute at CERN. Participants stepped into the roles of scientists, policymakers, and industry leaders to navigate real-world challenges surrounding emerging quantum technologies.
Following the simulation, Thomas Schneider, Consul General of Switzerland in Vancouver, remarked that “what took us 2–3 hours in this game could take days or even weeks in real-world diplomacy.”
At the end of the activity, all 40 participants were invited to share their thoughts. This was only the second time the game had ever been played—and the first time in Canada. The scenario involved four countries responding to a new material invented to fight climate change, which was licensed to a private company that quickly raised the price, limiting accessibility. Even the audience joined in the feedback session.
Some of the professors and teachers in the room plan to adapt the game for universities, helping students understand that beyond science, diplomacy, communication, and patience are essential for solving global challenges. You can read more about the initiative on the GESDA website.
The Geneva Science and Diplomacy Anticipator (GESDA) Foundation was established in 2019 by the Federal Government of Switzerland, the Republic and Canton of Geneva, the City of Geneva to ensure that Switzerland and Geneva remain a prime location for multilateralism, and that GESDA, through its four fora, becomes an effective tool for innovative science and diplomacy. This commitment is summarised in the motto ‘Use the Future to build the Present”.
Quantum Future #Science Diplomacy #STEM Diversity #Quantum Education #GESDA #Innovation Leadership #WBN News Vancouver #Elke Porter
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