Science for Peace: Rebuilding Bridges in a Divided World

Science for Peace: Restoring Global Scientific Collaboration Amid Conflict

Imagine sitting in a bustling cafeteria at CERN, the world’s premier particle physics lab, sipping coffee with colleagues from Russia, Poland, and beyond. You’re debating the mysteries of the universe, sharing ideas, and maybe even touching on politics over a glass of wine. This was the reality for Professor Hanis Yung, a German emeritus professor and founder of the Science for Peace Forum, when he first visited CERN as a student. It was a place where borders melted away, and science united people despite the Cold War’s tensions. But today, that spirit of collaboration is under threat. In a heartfelt interview with Pascal from Neutrality Studies, Yung shared how political sanctions are tearing apart scientific communities and why his forum is working to rebuild those vital connections.

The Shock of Severed Ties

When Russia invaded Ukraine in 2022, the scientific world faced an unprecedented rupture. Institutions like CERN and DESY (Deutsches Elektronen-Synchrotron) in Hamburg, where Yung spent much of his career, abruptly cut ties with Russian and Belarusian scientists. “It was a shock,” Yung recalled. “We had been working together so well, and suddenly, Russian colleagues were told to leave. Their emails were cut off, and joint publications were banned.” For the first time since World War II, science—long a beacon of cross-border unity—was weaponized in a political conflict.

CERN, founded in 1954 to foster peace through science after the war’s devastation, and DESY, established in 1959 with collaborations across Cold War divides, were built on the idea that scientific discovery transcends politics. Yet, by late 2024, CERN ended cooperation agreements with Russian universities, allowing only limited participation through the Joint Institute for Nuclear Research near Moscow. This exclusion wasn’t just symbolic—it erased years of Russian contributions to projects like the Large Hadron Collider, from financial investments to critical expertise in detector technology. “Their knowledge was vital,” Yung said, his voice tinged with frustration. “Now, we’re scrambling to replace it.”

A Double Standard in Science

What stings even more is the inconsistency. While Russian scientists were ostracized, CERN continues to collaborate with Israel, despite its ongoing war in Gaza and the West Bank. “There’s no discussion about whether Israel’s actions align with CERN’s values,” Yung noted. He’s not advocating for sanctions on Israel—quite the opposite. “I’m against all restrictions on scientific exchange,” he emphasized, stressing that non-military collaboration should remain open. But the double standard is glaring: Russian scientists faced immediate backlash, while Israel’s membership remains unquestioned, even as its actions draw condemnation from initiatives like Israel’s Black Flag, where academics protest the war’s toll on their society’s reputation.

This hypocrisy reveals a deeper issue: Western scientific institutions, meant to be neutral, are entangled in political power structures. CERN, headquartered in Switzerland, should be a global hub, not a Western one. Yet, as Yung pointed out, its council—made up of representatives from 23 European member states—reflects the political will of major donors. “No one says, ‘If you don’t comply, we’ll cut funding,’ but the pressure is clear,” he explained. When powerful nations push for sanctions, institutions like CERN often fall in line, betraying their founding principles.

The Human Cost of Division

The impact goes beyond lost data or funding. It’s personal. Yung spoke of colleagues who were suddenly barred from experiments they’d spent years on. “Imagine working on a publication, then being told you can’t access the data anymore,” he said. Russian scientists, many of whom signed petitions against the war, were treated as pariahs, their intellectual contributions dismissed. “It’s a disaster,” Yung said, his words heavy with the weight of broken trust. “Some now say, ‘Even if CERN changes, we don’t want to come back.’”

Young scientists, especially, feel the sting. CERN’s summer student program, a gateway for aspiring researchers, now excludes Russians in their early 20s. “What message does this send?” Yung asked. “These are the future leaders of science, and they’ll remember how they were treated.” The damage isn’t just immediate—it’s generational, eroding the trust that takes decades to rebuild.

Science for Peace: A Beacon of Hope

In response, Yung founded the Science for Peace Forum in 2022, a grassroots effort to keep dialogue alive. “We’re a loose network,” he explained, “open to anyone who wants to join—Russians, Ukrainians, Europeans, everyone.” The forum hosts discussions on topics ranging from particle physics to global cooperation, fostering respectful exchanges despite differing views. “It’s about understanding each other,” Yung said. “Even if we disagree, we need to talk.”

One promising initiative is an upcoming online workshop on particle physics, deliberately independent of research institutions to avoid restrictions. “We got a surprising amount of support, even from Europeans,” Yung shared, his optimism shining through. The workshop, set to publish its proceedings, is a small but powerful step toward reclaiming science’s unifying spirit. “It’s scientists saying, ‘No, we want to work together,’” he said.

A Call for a Decentralized Future

Yung and Pascal also discussed a bolder vision: a decentralized platform for scientific collaboration, insulated from political whims. “We need something resilient, like a social network for scientists that can’t be switched off,” Pascal suggested. Yung agreed, noting that current systems are vulnerable to censorship or funding pressures. He pointed to examples like SciHub and Library Genesis, created in the former Soviet sphere, which democratize knowledge by bypassing Western paywalls. “I use them daily,” Pascal admitted, sparking a chuckle from Yung, who hadn’t yet explored them but was intrigued.

This vision isn’t just about technology—it’s about reimagining science as a neutral force for peace. Yung envisions a global forum where scientists from all fields—natural, social, and economic—craft a positive agenda for the future. “It shouldn’t come from the West dictating terms,” he stressed. “It must be equal, respecting every voice.” This inclusive approach could counter the “mania” Pascal described, where Europe’s hardening against Russia mirrors the prelude to larger conflicts.

Why It Matters Now

The stakes couldn’t be higher. “We’re seeing the prelude to a third world war,” Pascal warned, citing the societal forces driving division. Yung nodded, his concern evident. “Cutting ties doesn’t solve conflicts—it fuels them,” he said. Historically, wars end through dialogue, not silence. By fostering open exchange, scientists can play a pivotal role in knitting societies back together.

The Science for Peace Forum is a small but vital spark. It reminds us that science isn’t just about discoveries—it’s about human connection. Yung’s stories of cafeteria chats at CERN, where ideas flowed freely across borders, feel like a distant memory in today’s polarized world. But they also offer hope. “We need to keep talking, even on a small scale,” he urged. “It’s how we build a future where peace, not war, defines us.”

A Call to Action

Yung’s work is a call to all of us—scientists, students, or curious minds—to reject division and embrace dialogue. Whether it’s joining the Science for Peace Forum, supporting independent workshops, or simply questioning the narratives that pit us against each other, we can all contribute. “It’s not about money,” Yung said. “Scientists are driven by curiosity, by the desire to understand.” That curiosity can be our bridge to a better world.

Visit the Science for Peace Forum’s website to join the conversation or subscribe to their email list. Share your thoughts, connect with others, and help rebuild the ties that conflict has torn apart. Together, we can make science a force for unity again.

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