The official magazine of international civil servants
FOCUS ON
Parental leave in the UN: Where do we stand?
Inclusive parental leave is not only a women’s issue. Standardized parental leave is a key component
in creating a more enabling environment
Fifteen recommendations to bring about equal parenting at the UN
For the UN to be a credible advocate for gender equality, as well as an inclusive and attractive employer, parental leave policies need to be standardized
Parents share their stories
This new set of testimonies is the third episode of our “Parents’ voices” series
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Adapting learning for the future
How the UN is expanding training opportunities for staff
-
How we were able to move the UN’s training courses online during Covid
When CLM left face-to-face classrooms in March 2020, little did we imagine that two years later we would still be interacting...
-
Want to keep learning? UNITAR has what you need
Learn more about how you can develop yourself professionally and how to help others do the same
-
Continuing education isn’t new but it still matters
With the exponential rate of tech-driven change all societies are facing today, continuing education is essential to stay ahead...
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Judgement call
Teresa Maria Da Silva Bravo, UNDT Judge and former President of the Lisbon Labor Court
-
Promouvoir la santé au travail
C’est avec rigueur, empathie et goût pour l’innovation que Sabine Bossy exerce sa fonction de médecin au Service médical de...
FOCUS ON
Parental leave in the UN: Where do we stand?
Inclusive parental leave is not only a women’s issue. Standardized parental leave is a key component
in creating a more enabling environment
Fifteen recommendations to bring about equal parenting at the UN
For the UN to be a credible advocate for gender equality, as well as an inclusive and attractive employer, parental leave policies need to be standardized
Parents share their stories
This new set of testimonies is the third episode of our “Parents’ voices” series
-
Adapting learning for the future
How the UN is expanding training opportunities for staff
-
How we were able to move the UN’s training courses online during Covid
When CLM left face-to-face classrooms in March 2020, little did we imagine that two years later we would still be interacting digitally
-
Want to keep learning? UNITAR has what you need
Learn more about how you can develop yourself professionally and how to help others do the same
-
Continuing education isn’t new but it still matters
With the exponential rate of tech-driven change all societies are facing today, continuing education is essential to stay ahead of the curve
-
Judgement call
Teresa Maria Da Silva Bravo, UNDT Judge and former President of the Lisbon Labor Court
-
Promouvoir la santé au travail
C’est avec rigueur, empathie et goût pour l’innovation que Sabine Bossy exerce sa fonction de médecin au Service médical de l’ONU à Genève
GLOBAL AFFAIRS
Portuguese: a language to be reckoned with
The CPLP (A Comunidade dos Países de Língua Portuguesa) and the Portuguese language are making their presence felt at the Human Rights Council. We talk to the Executive Secretary Zacarias da Costa
What is crucial to finally end racism?
We talk to Professor Verene Shepherd, a world-renowned historian who advocates for gender justice, racial equality and non-discrimination
How you can boost local farming
Global supply chains have come under pressure due to COVID-19. As such, local economies are experiencing a revival
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Are global rankings any use?
The online world has given us rankings for everything – colleges, companies, countries
-
The Earth Prize: A New Ally for UNEP and UNRWA
A Swiss global competition unleashes the creativity of teenagers to solve environmental problems
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Why we need to cooperate more on water
The resource is crucial to human life and much of it is shared between countries
-
What are the three main lessons to be learned from the interfaith dialogue?
Harness your faith or your curiosity to better understand our world
-
Dream big
How one young Colombian is using technology to change the education sector
-
Where we are – the influence of maps
Maps represent what we see around us. They help determine how we make decisions and understand our place in a wider world

GLOBAL AFFAIRS
Portuguese: a language to be reckoned with
The CPLP (A Comunidade dos Países de Língua Portuguesa) and the Portuguese language are making their presence felt at the Human Rights Council. We talk to the Executive Secretary Zacarias da Costa
What is crucial to finally end racism?
We talk to Professor Verene Shepherd, a world-renowned historian who advocates for gender justice, racial equality and non-discrimination
How you can boost local farming
Global supply chains have come under pressure due to COVID-19. As such, local economies are experiencing a revival
-
Are global rankings any use?
The online world has given us rankings for everything – colleges, companies, countries
-
The Earth Prize: A New Ally for UNEP and UNRWA
A Swiss global competition unleashes the creativity of teenagers to solve environmental problems
-
Why we need to cooperate more on water
The resource is crucial to human life and much of it is shared between countries
-
What are the three main lessons to be learned from the interfaith dialogue?
Harness your faith or your curiosity to better understand our world
-
Dream big
How one young Colombian is using technology to change the education sector
-
Where we are – the influence of maps
Maps represent what we see around us. They help determine how we make decisions and understand our place in a wider world

PHOTO OF THE MONTH
Chronicles of everyday diplomacy
It is tempting to caption this photograph with a diatribe on how diplomats can be bound to turn a blind eye to reality, whereas in fact, this was an unusual yoga session taking place during the 2018 World Health Assembly (WHA) at the Palais des Nations in Geneva. To...
PHOTO OF THE MONTH
Chronicles of everyday diplomacy
It is tempting to caption this photograph with a diatribe on how diplomats can be bound to turn a blind eye to reality, whereas in fact, this was an unusual yoga session taking place during the 2018...
Chronicles of everyday diplomacy
Partaking in negotiations at the UN means that one becomes part of a long – and sometimes heavy – history. It also means that for diplomats and delegates, their relative role and weight suffers some...
Chronicles of everyday diplomacy
Isn’t diplomacy as much about what you choose to display (and how much) as it is about what you choose to keep behind closed doors?

3 QUESTIONS
La liberté d’expresion, un bien des plus précieux
Le Secrétaire général de “Reporters sans frontières”(RSF), Christophe Deloire, en appelle à l’ONU pour désigner un représentant spécial
La formation continue a le vent en poupe
Pour Yves Flückiger, Recteur de l’Université de Genève, les défis sociétaux font de la formation un impératif pour lequel Genève a de grands atouts
Progress on eliminating discrimination against women
Gladys Acosta Vargas, Chairperson of the Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women, shares the latest developments
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Radio Télévision Suisse : Notre mission est d’atteindre tous les publics
Pour le Directeur de la RTS, Pascal Crittin, la radio est un bien public plus que jamais nécessaire pour la démocratie suisse et...
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Life beyond paralysis: walking for climate & inclusion
Michael Haddad uses technology and his mind to step out of the wheelchair and step into an extraordinary life
-
Simone Cipriani
Head of the Ethical Fashion Initiative at ITC and Secretary of the UN Alliance on Sustainable Fashion
-
Securing management and administrative efficiency
We interviewed Jorge Flores Callejas, Inspector and Chair of the Joint Inspection Unit at the UN
-
Les organisations internationales font partie de l’ADN de Genève
Olivier Coutau, délégué à la Genève internationale, salue le dynamisme de cet écosystème unique et la cohabitation naturelle...
-
Tourism beyond the pandemic
Interview with Zurab Pololikashvili, Secretary-General of the UN World Tourism Organization




3 QUESTIONS
La liberté d’expresion, un bien des plus précieux
Le Secrétaire général de “Reporters sans frontières”(RSF), Christophe Deloire, en appelle à l’ONU pour désigner un représentant spécial
La formation continue a le vent en poupe
Pour Yves Flückiger, Recteur de l’Université de Genève, les défis sociétaux font de la formation un impératif pour lequel Genève a de grands atouts
Progress on eliminating discrimination against women
Gladys Acosta Vargas, Chairperson of the Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women, shares the latest developments


-
Radio Télévision Suisse : Notre mission est d’atteindre tous les publics
Pour le Directeur de la RTS, Pascal Crittin, la radio est un bien public plus que jamais nécessaire pour la démocratie suisse et le débat public
-
Life beyond paralysis: walking for climate & inclusion
Michael Haddad uses technology and his mind to step out of the wheelchair and step into an extraordinary life
-
Simone Cipriani
Head of the Ethical Fashion Initiative at ITC and Secretary of the UN Alliance on Sustainable Fashion
-
Securing management and administrative efficiency
We interviewed Jorge Flores Callejas, Inspector and Chair of the Joint Inspection Unit at the UN
-
Les organisations internationales font partie de l’ADN de Genève
Olivier Coutau, délégué à la Genève internationale, salue le dynamisme de cet écosystème unique et la cohabitation naturelle entre Genevois et internationaux
-
Tourism beyond the pandemic
Interview with Zurab Pololikashvili, Secretary-General of the UN World Tourism Organization


INSIDE VIEW
Addressing worldwide food crises and building resilience
A conversation with Dominique Burgeon, Director of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) in Geneva
Is our investigations process fit for purpose?
Examining the fairness and relevance of the UN’s investigative process in disciplinary matters
There are colors in the clouds: the value of self-reflection
Why self-reflection is so important?
-
Chasing James Baldwin in Switzerland
Seventy years after celebrated author and ‘good trouble’ agitator James Baldwin first visited Leukerbad and completed his...
-
Unbelievably yes – there’s racism at the UN
Marie Diur, Chief of the Interpretation Service at UNOG, has recently been appointed Focal Point on diversity, inclusion and...
-
African-American women and sounds of equity in humanitarian space
In the humanitarian field, one of the best ways to address inequity is to first explore what it means to you and how it makes...
-
Lifelong learning without earning isn’t for everyone
Internships provide youth with continuous learning opportunities. However, their unpaid nature discriminates against people with...
-
Eliminating racism in our workplaces
There is much work ahead to root out racism at our workplaces, and the recommendations outlined in the Strategic Action Plan...
-
Bringing law to the world’s disaster zones
From working in Tanzania to the occupied Palestinian territory, Philippa Greer shares her journey into the field



INSIDE VIEW
Addressing worldwide food crises and building resilience
A conversation with Dominique Burgeon, Director of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) in Geneva
Is our investigations process fit for purpose?
Examining the fairness and relevance of the UN’s investigative process in disciplinary matters
There are colors in the clouds: the value of self-reflection
Why self-reflection is so important?


-
Chasing James Baldwin in Switzerland
Seventy years after celebrated author and ‘good trouble’ agitator James Baldwin first visited Leukerbad and completed his seminal work ‘Go Tell It On the Mountain’, we reflect on race, identity and...
-
Unbelievably yes – there’s racism at the UN
Marie Diur, Chief of the Interpretation Service at UNOG, has recently been appointed Focal Point on diversity, inclusion and anti-racism
-
African-American women and sounds of equity in humanitarian space
In the humanitarian field, one of the best ways to address inequity is to first explore what it means to you and how it makes you sound
-
Lifelong learning without earning isn’t for everyone
Internships provide youth with continuous learning opportunities. However, their unpaid nature discriminates against people with limited resources
-
Eliminating racism in our workplaces
There is much work ahead to root out racism at our workplaces, and the recommendations outlined in the Strategic Action Plan will guide us
-
Bringing law to the world’s disaster zones
From working in Tanzania to the occupied Palestinian territory, Philippa Greer shares her journey into the field

DIPLOMACY
The challenge of running a small mission in Geneva
We speak to Ambassador Athaliah Lesiba Molokomme of Botswana
Who is Andranik Hovhannisyan?
We talk with the Permanent representative of Armenia on his career and his country’s 30 years of UN membership
Women and girls are not victims, they are the key to the future
Germany’s Permanent Representative Katharina Stasch on her career and the importance of empowering women



DIPLOMACY
The challenge of running a small mission in Geneva
We speak to Ambassador Athaliah Lesiba Molokomme of Botswana
Who is Andranik Hovhannisyan?
We talk with the Permanent representative of Armenia on his career and his country’s 30 years of UN membership
Women and girls are not victims, they are the key to the future
Germany’s Permanent Representative Katharina Stasch on her career and the importance of empowering women


UN MEMORIES
Interagency coordination should not be watered down!
Interagency coordination is a conundrum. Why are there so many redundancies and overlaps within the UN system? Bottled water may matter more than coordination
La diplomatie des murmures
En matière de diplomatie, les conversations « intimes » se sont souvent avérées bien plus efficaces que les grands discours. Mais les temps changent
How easy is it to be declared persona non grata?
Expelled by the nomads. Souvenirs from Somalia
-
Can the international civil service thrive without staff unions?
Let’s explore the challenges, their legitimacy, and the concrete actions that await them
-
La vision de l’autre côté
Comment la Ville de Genève vit sa vie internationale
-
All UN memories lead to music
Work hard, enjoy music harder
-
Les batailles d’un Fonctionnaire international
Pour s’imposer, être fidèle à soi-même
-
Tous égaux, mais certains plus que d’autres
Comment le personnel local des Nations Unies en Chine a accédé au statut de fonctionnaire international ?
-
Living to tell the tale when defending ILO standards
It is the unexpected that changes and forges our lives


UN MEMORIES
Interagency coordination should not be watered down!
Interagency coordination is a conundrum. Why are there so many redundancies and overlaps within the UN system? Bottled water may matter more than coordination
La diplomatie des murmures
En matière de diplomatie, les conversations « intimes » se sont souvent avérées bien plus efficaces que les grands discours. Mais les temps changent
How easy is it to be declared persona non grata?
Expelled by the nomads. Souvenirs from Somalia

-
Can the international civil service thrive without staff unions?
Let’s explore the challenges, their legitimacy, and the concrete actions that await them
-
La vision de l’autre côté
Comment la Ville de Genève vit sa vie internationale
-
All UN memories lead to music
Work hard, enjoy music harder
-
Les batailles d’un Fonctionnaire international
Pour s’imposer, être fidèle à soi-même
-
Tous égaux, mais certains plus que d’autres
Comment le personnel local des Nations Unies en Chine a accédé au statut de fonctionnaire international ?
-
Living to tell the tale when defending ILO standards
It is the unexpected that changes and forges our lives

CULTURE
Dr Mukwege, une vie pour les survivantes de violences sexuelles
« Dans chaque conflit, les femmes sont victimes de violences sexuelles »
How the Red Cross began
A humanitarian story
Le Grütli, « la pointe de bonheur » du théâtre genevois
A la découverte du Centre de production et de diffusion des Arts vivants du Grütli : une vision moderne et transversale des disciplines artistiques
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All that jazz!
In the month of International Jazz Day, we talk to Ally J. Steel, Editor of Jazz Revelations, the publication that covers the...
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Les rues de Genève se féminisent
Découvrez des femmes anonymes ou méconnues qui ont contribué à l’histoire de Genève
-
Réparer les femmes, c’est mon métier
Ghada Hatem a fondé la Maison des femmes qui offre une prise en charge globale aux femmes battues, excisées ou victimes de...
-
Ikhlaq Hussain: a sitar maestro
His personal mission is to preserve and disseminate his rich musical heritage through concerts, performances, and...
-
Genève, quartiers chauds à travers les siècles
Découvrez les lieux coquins et libertins des différentes époques, un autre regard sur Genève
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Porter la voix des fleuves
Erik Orsenna fait part de son amour pour les fleuves et plaide pour une meilleure reconnaissance de leur rôle de la part de la...
CULTURE
Dr Mukwege, une vie pour les survivantes de violences sexuelles
« Dans chaque conflit, les femmes sont victimes de violences sexuelles »
How the Red Cross began
A humanitarian story
Le Grütli, « la pointe de bonheur » du théâtre genevois
A la découverte du Centre de production et de diffusion des Arts vivants du Grütli : une vision moderne et transversale des disciplines artistiques
-
All that jazz!
In the month of International Jazz Day, we talk to Ally J. Steel, Editor of Jazz Revelations, the publication that covers the latest groundbreaking releases
-
Les rues de Genève se féminisent
Découvrez des femmes anonymes ou méconnues qui ont contribué à l’histoire de Genève
-
Réparer les femmes, c’est mon métier
Ghada Hatem a fondé la Maison des femmes qui offre une prise en charge globale aux femmes battues, excisées ou victimes de violences sexuelles
-
Ikhlaq Hussain: a sitar maestro
His personal mission is to preserve and disseminate his rich musical heritage through concerts, performances, and teaching
-
Genève, quartiers chauds à travers les siècles
Découvrez les lieux coquins et libertins des différentes époques, un autre regard sur Genève
-
Porter la voix des fleuves
Erik Orsenna fait part de son amour pour les fleuves et plaide pour une meilleure reconnaissance de leur rôle de la part de la communauté international
LEISURE
L’escalade, un sport qui grimpe !
La pratique de l’escalade connaît un essor particulièrement important ces dernières années. Quelles sont les raisons d’un tel engouement ?
It is time to dress up and dance
We talk to Brigitte Lüth, Director of the Waltz Viennese of Geneva and Counsellor at the Permanent Mission of Austria to WTO
L’Orchestre des Nations, ambassadeur de la musique et de la paix
Diplomate de la musique, partout et pour tout le monde, le « plus petit des grands orchestres » reprend la scène
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Making Switzerland a more sustainable travel destination
‘Swisstainable’ is an initiative that helps tourism service providers become more sustainable. Letizia Elia, Head of Business...
-
Authenticity in Central Switzerland
Explore the beauty of the Engelberg-Titlis region
-
A visit to the Museum Cerny
Martha and Peter Cerny: an art collector and an art curator committed to passing the message of climate change through the...
-
Les “coups de cœur hivernaux” du Kiosque Culturel du CAGI
Que faire en cette fin de saison hivernale si vous êtes dans la région?
-
Maison Rousseau de la littérature
Donner à voir la stupéfiante modernité de Rousseau et la vitalité de la littérature contemporaine : un pari réussi
-
Basel – The center of art, history, and surprising contrasts
Explore one of Switzerland’s most fascinating and diverse cities



LEISURE
L’escalade, un sport qui grimpe !
La pratique de l’escalade connaît un essor particulièrement important ces dernières années. Quelles sont les raisons d’un tel engouement ?
It is time to dress up and dance
We talk to Brigitte Lüth, Director of the Waltz Viennese of Geneva and Counsellor at the Permanent Mission of Austria to WTO
L’Orchestre des Nations, ambassadeur de la musique et de la paix
Diplomate de la musique, partout et pour tout le monde, le « plus petit des grands orchestres » reprend la scène


-
Making Switzerland a more sustainable travel destination
‘Swisstainable’ is an initiative that helps tourism service providers become more sustainable. Letizia Elia, Head of Business Development at Switzerland Tourism, tells us more
-
Authenticity in Central Switzerland
Explore the beauty of the Engelberg-Titlis region
-
A visit to the Museum Cerny
Martha and Peter Cerny: an art collector and an art curator committed to passing the message of climate change through the inspiration of the indigenous peoples
-
Les “coups de cœur hivernaux” du Kiosque Culturel du CAGI
Que faire en cette fin de saison hivernale si vous êtes dans la région?
-
Maison Rousseau de la littérature
Donner à voir la stupéfiante modernité de Rousseau et la vitalité de la littérature contemporaine : un pari réussi
-
Basel – The center of art, history, and surprising contrasts
Explore one of Switzerland’s most fascinating and diverse cities

HEALTH
Health Today
We talk to Matthias Herrmann, Head of Innovation Management at University Hospital of Zürich
Is dancing the best medicine?
Reconnecting with your body, coordinating movements, learning rhythm, feeling like you’re letting go... Dance has many benefits
Health Today
We talk to Yannick de Dycker, Specialist in Gynecology & Obstetrics at Clinique des Grangettes, Hirslanden
-
Health Today
We talk to Thierry Buecheler, Head of Europe, Middle-East and Africa for the Key Cloud Business, Business Value & Strategy...
-
Des enfants pas tout à fait comme les autres
Directrice de l’association Autisme Genève, Elvira David Coppex, plaide en faveur d’une meilleure compréhension des besoins des...
-
Hallux valgus – surgery or no surgery, that is the question…
The bunion, also known as hallux valgus, is the most common foot deformity and affects mostly women
-
Health Today
We talk to Silvia Bonfanti, Doctor specialized in Sports Medicine, Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation at Clinique La Colline,...
-
Health Today
We talk to Dalith Steiger-Gablinger, Co-Founder of Swiss Cognitive
-
La télémédecine est promise à un grand avenir
Ardent défenseur de la télémédecine, Olivier Babinet dirige le projet Ségur de l’Agence régionale de santé dans la région...



HEALTH
Health Today
We talk to Matthias Herrmann, Head of Innovation Management at University Hospital of Zürich
Is dancing the best medicine?
Reconnecting with your body, coordinating movements, learning rhythm, feeling like you’re letting go… Dance has many benefits
Health Today
We talk to Yannick de Dycker, Specialist in Gynecology & Obstetrics at Clinique des Grangettes, Hirslanden


-
Health Today
We talk to Thierry Buecheler, Head of Europe, Middle-East and Africa for the Key Cloud Business, Business Value & Strategy division at Oracle.
-
Des enfants pas tout à fait comme les autres
Directrice de l’association Autisme Genève, Elvira David Coppex, plaide en faveur d’une meilleure compréhension des besoins des enfants autistes
-
Hallux valgus – surgery or no surgery, that is the question…
The bunion, also known as hallux valgus, is the most common foot deformity and affects mostly women
-
Health Today
We talk to Silvia Bonfanti, Doctor specialized in Sports Medicine, Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation at Clinique La Colline, Hirslanden
-
Health Today
We talk to Dalith Steiger-Gablinger, Co-Founder of Swiss Cognitive
-
La télémédecine est promise à un grand avenir
Ardent défenseur de la télémédecine, Olivier Babinet dirige le projet Ségur de l’Agence régionale de santé dans la région Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur

LIFESTYLE
Producing and engaging with more than just news
We talk to Simon Shelley, Vice President of Programme Partnerships at BBC StoryWorks Programme Partnerships to discuss the organization’s global engagement through award winning branded series on the issues that matter to audiences
Vroom – the first restaurant in Switzerland run by deaf persons
Deconstructing stereotypes around disability and deafness while creating a successful business model


LIFESTYLE
Producing and engaging with more than just news
We talk to Simon Shelley, Vice President of Programme Partnerships at BBC StoryWorks Programme Partnerships to discuss the organization’s global engagement through award winning branded series on the issues that matter to audiences
Vroom – the first restaurant in Switzerland run by deaf persons
Deconstructing stereotypes around disability and deafness while creating a successful business model
Comment Zélo a évolué vers des produits locaux
Le vélo-distributeur explique sa stratégie


OTHER
Shine: It is time to change the world
Ana de Andrés publishes Shine, a book to unleash everyone’s potential
From the suit to the flapper: fashion and gender
Fashion throughout history has conspired to streamline for men, while confuse for women, a reflection of the unbalanced social values ascribed to genders
Can films fix the global challenges of human rights?
The 20th International Film Festival and Forum on Human Rights returns to Geneva. We spoke to Laura Longobardi, Head of the festival’s industry programme Impact Days
-
University for all: making higher education more inclusive
Higher education may seem a distant goal for students with disabilities
-
Come fly with me
We interviewed Romain Vetter, Head of SWISS for Western Switzerland. We discussed the recovery, innovation, and reopening a key...
-
Serve your audience, not yourself
Earn your way into their hearts and minds by serving their needs and interests
-
Le CAGI a 25 ans !
Vingt-cinq années au service des Internationaux et de la Genève internationale
-
How prepared are you to suggest a change in the public sector?
We interviewed Dr Emma Carmel, Director of Studies for the Master’s in Public Policy at University of Bath
-
An executive programme designed for Senior Management of International Organizations
We talked to Dr. Patricia Widmer, Programme Director for Diversity and Management at Executive School of the University of...
OTHER
Shine: It is time to change the world
Ana de Andrés publishes Shine, a book to unleash everyone’s potential
From the suit to the flapper: fashion and gender
Fashion throughout history has conspired to streamline for men, while confuse for women, a reflection of the unbalanced social values ascribed to genders
Can films fix the global challenges of human rights?
The 20th International Film Festival and Forum on Human Rights returns to Geneva. We spoke to Laura Longobardi, Head of the festival’s industry programme Impact Days
-
University for all: making higher education more inclusive
Higher education may seem a distant goal for students with disabilities
-
Come fly with me
We interviewed Romain Vetter, Head of SWISS for Western Switzerland. We discussed the recovery, innovation, and reopening a key route
-
Serve your audience, not yourself
Earn your way into their hearts and minds by serving their needs and interests
-
Le CAGI a 25 ans !
Vingt-cinq années au service des Internationaux et de la Genève internationale
-
How prepared are you to suggest a change in the public sector?
We interviewed Dr Emma Carmel, Director of Studies for the Master’s in Public Policy at University of Bath
-
An executive programme designed for Senior Management of International Organizations
We talked to Dr. Patricia Widmer, Programme Director for Diversity and Management at Executive School of the University of St.Gallen