Table 2.

Science diplomacy and key policy practices Ecuador 2007–2017.

Policy	Description	Science Diplomacy Features
Communication The Citizen Link	Permanent space prioritizing the communication of design, implementation, achievements, and challenges to emblematic STI policies	Constant interaction between stakeholders: public institutions, the Foreign Service, communication to the citizens, and engagement with the wider society
Prometeo Program	A comprehensive Fellowship program aimed at attracting accomplished and experienced scientists: foreigners and Ecuadorians residing overseas	To construct local research capacity and build international partnerships with their institutions of origin
Yachay Tech and Yachay City of Knowledge	The first planned city in Ecuador focused on the generation of a boosting STI Ecosystem with the creation of a world-class research university at the center	Planned and implemented based on successful experiences in knowledge cities, particularly Incheon Free Economic Zone and Silicon Valley, the policy included a very active set of foreign policy practices
Ikiam Amazonas University	An emblematic research university created as part of a biodiversity reserve in the Ecuadorian Amazons focused on global issues: climate change and environmental sustainability	Developed internationally benchmarked teaching, research, and community service mission envisioned as a living natural laboratory over an assertive practice of building global partnerships
Yasuni-ITT	Proposal to leave underground 846 million barrels of heavy crude oil found in the ITT fields, preventing the emissions of 407 million metric tons of carbon dioxide with co-responsibility by contributing half of the revenue coming from the international community	Transitioning from a fossil fuel-based economy toward a model of sustainable development, with widespread use of renewable energy, respect for biodiversity, and social equity with the involvement of foreign governments, multilateral organizations, responsible businesses, and citizens around the world
SENESCYT Scholarship Program	Nearly 20,000 scholarships benefiting outstanding Ecuadorian students for international mobility	Building the human power to establish a path for talented Ecuadorians to create a scientific (research) career learning from better international practices in higher education. The program involved active participation of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the international missions of Ecuador, and fostering cooperation between Ecuadorian and international higher education institutions with the support of SENESCYT
Embassy of Ecuador in Korea Appointment of the Knowledge and Technology Transfer Officer	The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Human Mobility appointed a specific unit at the Embassy of Ecuador in the Republic of Korea aiming at promoting science and technology transfer within the scope of bilateral relations	STI as one of the pillars of the bilateral relations between the two countries, which influenced various areas such as investment (energy, infrastructure), preferential treatment in the promotion of several initiatives involving training, Official Development Assistance, cooperation