On September 8, the PSIA Technology & Global Affairs Innovation Hub had the honor of hosting the Carter Center at Sciences Po's Paris Saint Thomas Campus for a special screening of "The President and The Dragon"—a powerful documentary that puts the spotlight on the inspiring commitment of US President Jimmy Carter and First Lady Rosalynn Carter to use medical innovation and diplomacy for global peace and prosperity.

An Evening of Dialogue and Discovery

The evening began with a reception that brought together SciencesPo's academic community and the Carter Center's staff and Paris-based supporters, leading to rich conversations on the topicality of international cooperation for peacebuilding, public health, and grassroots innovation.

Paige Alexander, CEO of the Carter Center, opened the screening with remarks that set the tone for the evening. Her address underscored the enduring relevance of President Carter's vision: that international cooperation, even in dire times, is a long term effort that does yield crucial victories, and that tackling neglected diseases is not merely a humanitarian imperative, but a strategic investment in peacemaking, global stability and human dignity. 

The Power of Diplomacy and "Low-Tech" Innovation

"The President and The Dragon" chronicles the fight against Guinea worm disease, a debilitating parasitic infection that once afflicted hundred of thousands across Africa and Asia, but that is now close to eradication, with just dozens of cases recorded in the world. The campaigns undertaken by the Carter Center did not rely on cutting-edge laboratory breakthroughs or sophisticated pharmaceuticals. Instead, eradication efforts relied on simple efforts that could be deployed even in remote, underprivileged communities: better-designed water infrastructures, simple drinking filters, health education, community mobilization, and persistent surveillance.

This resonates deeply with the Hub's missions. While much of the conversation around technology and global affairs focuses on artificial intelligence, aeronautics, biotechnology, and digital platforms, we recognize that "low-tech" solutions are often no less transformative and can be central to international cooperation. The documentary also highlights the necessity of the articulation between diplomacy and local stakeholder empowerment. The fight against Guinea worm disease required unprecedented coordination among governments, international organizations, NGOs and local communities, providing a common goal in contexts marked by conflict and political instability.

This approach offers valuable lessons for today's leaders grappling with emerging technologies and global challenges: whether combating epidemics, addressing climate change, or governing artificial intelligence, international cooperation remains indispensable and can only succeed when it meaningful includes citizens, especially most affected people and underrepresented communities.

Fostering Dialogue on Technology and Governance

Events like this screening embody the Hub's commitment to serving as a forum for diverse stakeholders to engage in interdisciplinary discussions. By bringing The Carter Center's work to our community at Sciences Po, we aim to broaden the conversation around what "technology and global affairs" can mean—encompassing the governance of all forms emerging technologies to contribute to a more peaceful and equitable world.