Graduate Institute What Matters Today

In this episode, we explore the intersection of gender and politics in the context of Donald Trump's re-election. Our guest, Dr. Nicole Bourbonnais, Associate Professor of International History and Politics and Co-Director of the Gender Centre at the Geneva Graduate Institute, offers her insights on how gender dynamics influenced the election outcomes. We discuss the significance of Susie Wiles' a...

In this episode, we are joined by Cyrus Schayegh, Professor of International History and Politics at the Institute, and Chair of the department - to provide a comprehensive overview of the situation in Syria. We'll delve into the historical context, the roles of various international actors, and the broader implications for the Middle East and beyond. Join us as we unpack the layers of this ongoin...

In this episode of What Matters Today, Professor Cyrus Schayegh explores the potential shifts in U.S. foreign policy under Donald Trump’s second term and their impact on the Middle East. He examines Trump's transactional diplomacy, his support for Israel, and the evolving dynamics of regional powers like Iran, Saudi Arabia, and Israel. The discussion highlights the complexities of U.S. engagement...

In this episode of What Matters Today, we examine the evolving landscape of global economics under the new Trump administration. We'll explore the potential shifts in inflation trends, fiscal policies, and trade relations that could shape both the domestic and international economic environment. We'll discuss how these changes might influence global trade dynamics, and economic partnerships, parti...

In this episode, we examine the global impact of last week's U.S. election results, with Donald Trump re-elected as president. To shed light on the implications for international relations, economic stability, and American influence, we are joined by Jussi Hanhimäki, Professor of International History and Politics here at the Geneva Graduate Institute. In this conversation. Professor Hanhimäki exp...

Welcome to this episode of What Matters Today, where we delve into the complexities of the current crisis between Israel and Lebanon. As tensions escalate, Lebanon faces profound challenges to its stability, governance, and ability to provide essential services. In this episode, we explore how the ongoing conflict is reshaping the Lebanese state, examining the government’s response, the factors in...

In this episode of What Matters Today, we dive into the escalating conflict between Israel and Hezbollah in Lebanon. The Israeli army has intensified strikes on Hezbollah targets, leading to devastating civilian casualties. We explore the complex historical and geopolitical context behind this escalation and ask critical questions: Is Lebanon at risk of becoming the next Gaza? Could Israel face a...

Imagine a world leader facing the possibility of arrest for war crimes. Today, that scenario is not fiction but reality.  The International Criminal Court has issued an arrest warrant against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Yoav Gallant.  These charges, linked to the Gaza conflict, have sent shockwaves through international politics and law. While the ICC has previou...

Welcome to this joint Who is voting in 2024 and What Matters Today podcast episode.  A quick word about both of these series.  Who is voting in 2024 is a series produced by the Geneva Graduate Institute’s Albert Hirschman Centre On Democracy focusing on the multiple elections taking place in 2024. What Matters Today , which is produced by the Institute’s Communications department, is a current aff...

In this episode, we explore a groundbreaking legal case in Switzerland where the European Court of Human Rights addressed the intersection of climate change and human rights violations.  We analyze the arguments presented in the case and the court's evaluation of their claims, highlighting the significance of establishing governmental accountability in climate policy.  We also discuss the broader...

From the bustling streets of Moscow to the corridors of power in the Kremlin, Russia stands at a critical crossroads.  Recent events have cast a shadow over the nation, leaving citizens and observers alike questioning the future of democracy and governance. As part of our ongoing election series, in this episode of What Matters Today we delve deep into the heart of one of the most consequential ev...

On 29 December, following the conflict between Israel and Hamas, South Africa appealed to the International Court of Justice under the 1948 Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide. Last month, the International Court of Justice ordered a series of provisional measures against Israel. In this episode, we delve into the recent ruling and explore a series of critical ques...

The main United Nations agency responsible for aid to Palestinians, also known as UNRWA, is in the eye of the storm, as an unprecedented humanitarian disaster unfolds in the Gaza Strip. Some employees of UNRWA are accused by Israel of having been involved in the Hamas attacks of 7 October, 2023. Since these allegations were made public by the agency itself, several Western countries, led by the US...

Dans cet épisode de "What Matters Today", Jérôme Duberry, directeur exécutif du Tech Hub, interviewe la professeure Lyse Langlois, directrice générale de l'Observatoire international sur les impacts sociétaux de l'intelligence artificielle et du numérique (OBVIA) à l'Université de Laval. Ils explorent le thème de l'éthique au cœur de l'intelligence artificielle, basé sur le dernier rapport publié...

Welcome to another episode of What Matters Today. In today's episode, we unravel the intricate world of cybersecurity. We will delve into the various categories of hackers and explore the common cyber threats faced by non-profits. We will also look into the ever-evolving role of artificial intelligence in both cyber attacks and defense. Stay tuned for insights into how AI is transforming the cyber...

Welcome to What Matters Today. In today’s episode, we are taking a deep dive into the world of sustainable IT. Topics covered in this episode include the Sustainable IT Charter, which the Geneva Graduate Institute signed in June, joining 443 other organizations in doing so. We will also take a glimpse into sustainable IT initiatives at the Institute, as well as uncovering best practices for greeni...

In this episode of What Matters Today, we turn our focus to the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict, a topic that has captured international attention. Photo credit: Momen Faiz / NurPhoto / NurPhoto via AFP As we navigate the complexities of this conflict, we aim to provide you with a deeper understanding of the historical context, the root causes, the latest developments, and discuss potential pathways...

Last week’s NATO summit in Vilnius achieved its primary goals which were to reach an agreement that Sweden could join the alliance, and to strengthen support for Ukraine. However, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky expressed frustration that there was no clear path to membership. Joe Biden, in an interview with CNN on the eve of the summit said that Ukraine cannot join NATO while the country w...

The death of 17-year-old French-Algerian Nahel Merzouk, killed by a police officer on 27 June in Nanterre, France sparked urban riots across France. Things seem to be calming down, however tension definitely persists. In ths episode we look at the factors behind these riots and how France’s colonial past plays an important part in all of this. We also discuss what needs to be done to help prevent...

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is everywhere nowadays. This special edition episode of What Matters Today examines how AI is being used on a daily basis, the issues of AI governance and ethics, and of course, ChatGPT. This episode is moderated by Dr. Jérome Duberry, Managing Director of the Geneva Graduate Institute's Tech Hub; Academic Advisor, Executive Education; and Senior Researcher at the Inst...

More and more private military companies are replacing soldiers on battlefields these days. We have seen this before, with Blackwater in Iraq, and are seeing this again with the Wagner Group being used in the Russia-Ukraine war. In addition to Ukraine, the group has significantly increased its activities in recent years in Syria, Libya, Sudan, Central African Republic, Mozambique and Mali among ot...

Next week is Science Diplomacy Week here in Geneva and therefore this week’s episode of What Matters Today will focus on the topic of Science Diplomacy. We will highlight what Science Diplomacy is and discuss the problems it’s trying to solve. We will also talk about how the war in Ukraine is impacting Science Diplomacy. Our guest today is Niccolo Iorno. Niccolo is a biotechnologist with an MBA fr...

On the anniversary of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, China’s Foreign Ministry presented a 12- point peace plan entitled “China’s Position on the Political Settlement of the Ukraine Crisis“ to end the war in Ukraine. Fred Tanner, who is a Research Associate at the Geneva Graduate Institute’s Centre on Conflict, Development and Peacebuilding, and is a Visiting Professor at Institute, joins us for thi...

The Iraq war started on 20 March 2003 when US forces invaded the country with the goal of “disarming it, freeing its people, and to defend the world from grave danger”. The US formally declared the end of the war on 15 December 2011. As today is the 20th anniversary of the Iraq war, we look at its long shadow, and how it still looms. How has the war impacted Iraq and its people? Did Operation Iraq...

On 7 December of last year, Peruvian president Pedro Castillo was removed by Congress and arrested on charges of “rebellion” and “conspiracy”. This has led to weeks of violent protests in Peru that have resulted in the deaths of at least 48 people. Protesters are demanding the dissolution of Congress, the resignation of Peru’s new president, Dina Boluarte, new general elections, and the release of...