Innovation Through Convergence: A Global Perspective

The impact of influential American reports about convergence on innovation and science policy - such as the National Academy of Sciences' New Biology and Convergence reports, the MIT "Fourth Revolution" White Paper, and ARISE II - has not been limited to the United States. Convergence now has emerged as a global thematic priority in key intergovernmental organizations and national policies for science, technology, and innovation.

A leading example is the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), which has become a global policy hub and think tank for cutting-edge work related to science, technology, and innovation. This overview will discuss the OECD's increased focus on convergence to address societal challenges and drive innovation, including the creation of a new OECD Working Party focused on convergence. This includes mandates from the Science & Technology Ministerial meeting hosted by Korea in 2015 and new OECD convergence-driven initiatives related to the Next Production Revolution, Systems innovation, Advanced Health Innovation, the Knowledge Triangle, and Promoting a Sustainable Bioeconomy.