As my three-month assignment at the German Consulate General in Vancouver comes to an end, I look back with great appreciation on the opportunity to contribute to strengthening Canada–Germany cooperation in science, research, and innovation.

Serving as a Leibniz Science Attaché, I had the privilege of representing the German research landscape and fostering scientific exchange between Canadian universities and German non-university research institutes. My work focused particularly on agricultural, food, nutrition, and bioeconomy research. Through strategic dialogue, stakeholder engagement, and academic networking across Western Canada, existing partnerships were strengthened and new opportunities for future collaboration were identified.

This experience once again demonstrated the vital role of science diplomacy in connecting research, policy, and international cooperation. Germany and Canada share a strong commitment to scientific excellence, innovation, and sustainability. By building on our complementary expertise, we can jointly address global challenges and create lasting impact through collaborative research.

I am grateful to everyone who contributed to these valuable exchanges and look forward to seeing these connections grow into future collaborations.