Skip to content

Guest Speaker Series

The Guest Speaker Series at the Geneva School of Diplomacy brings external practitioners, academics, and subject-matter experts into the School’s academic environment.

The series complements GSD’s teaching by offering students exposure to professional perspectives, applied experience, and current developments in international relations, diplomacy, and global affairs.

Purpose of the Series

Guest Speaker sessions are designed to enrich academic learning through dialogue with experienced professionals and experts.

Sessions may include:

  • Guest lectures
  • Expert talks and masterclasses
  • Moderated discussions and seminars
  • Special thematic sessions linked to courses or events

Participation and formats vary depending on academic objectives and speaker availability.

Speakers

Guest Speakers may include:

  • Diplomats and representatives of international organisations
  • Policy practitioners and experts
  • Academics and researchers
  • Professionals from relevant international or policy-oriented fields

Speakers participate on an invited basis and are not members of the permanent faculty.

Sessions and Archives

The Guest Speaker Series includes information on upcoming sessions as well as selected past sessions. Where appropriate, summaries or recordings of past sessions may be published to support academic continuity and institutional memory.

Upcoming Sessions

No upcoming sessions scheduled at this time. Please check back soon.

Past Sessions

Wed, Apr. 29 2:00 PM

On campus

Small Islands – Priorities, Challenges and Opportunities

Usha Dwarka-Canabady, Former Ambassador of Mauritius; Former Secretary for Foreign Affairs

The Geneva School of Diplomacy welcomed Usha Dwarka-Canabady for a discussion on the geopolitical, environmental, and diplomatic realities facing Small Island Developing States in an increasingly complex international landscape.

Wed, Apr. 22 2:00 PM

On campus

Book Discussion: Killing Democracy: Western Imperialism’s Legacy of Regime Change and Media Manipulation

Finian Cunningham, Author and Award-Winning Journalist

The Geneva School of Diplomacy welcomed award-winning journalist and author Finian Cunningham for a book discussion exploring democracy, interventionism, media narratives, and geopolitical power in contemporary international affairs.

Wed, Apr. 15 2:00 PM

On campus

The Strategic Benefits of Swiss Neutrality in Today’s International System

Tobias Privitelli, Director, Geneva International Centre for Humanitarian Demining (GICHD) | Jean-Daniel Ruch, Former Swiss Ambassador to Turkey, Israel, and Serbia | Claude Béglé, Swiss Business Executive and Public Affairs Leader | Nicholas C. Niggli, Executive Chairman and Co-Founder, Oⁿ Venture Studio | Nicolas Ramseier, President, Geneva Center for Neutrality

In partnership with the Geneva Center for Neutrality, the Geneva School of Diplomacy hosted a high-level panel discussion exploring the strategic relevance of Swiss neutrality in today’s evolving international system.

Wed, Mar. 25 2:00 PM

On campus

The Intersection of Philanthropy, Partnership Building, Geopolitics, and Gender

Atalanti Moquette, Founder, Giving Women; Advisory Council Member, Geneva School of Diplomacy

The Geneva School of Diplomacy welcomed Atalanti Moquette for a discussion on the intersection of philanthropy, strategic partnerships, geopolitics, and gender in shaping international cooperation and humanitarian action.

Wed, Mar. 18 2:00 PM

On campus

Attorney General of Geneva – The Role, Opportunities, and Future Challenges

Pierre Bayenet, Avocat; Procureur au Ministère public de Genève

The Geneva School of Diplomacy welcomed Pierre Bayenet for a discussion on the evolving role of Geneva’s prosecutorial system, examining the responsibilities, opportunities, and future challenges facing public justice institutions.

Wed, Mar. 11 2:00 PM

On campus

Moving from Emergency Humanitarian Assistance to Sustainable Responses

Raouf Mazou, Assistant High Commissioner for Operations

The Geneva School of Diplomacy welcomed Raouf Mazou, Assistant High Commissioner for Operations at UNHCR, for a discussion on the urgent challenge of moving from emergency humanitarian intervention toward sustainable long-term responses for displaced populations.

Wed, Feb. 25 2:00 PM

On campus

The Quiet Power of Switzerland, Sports Diplomacy and Football

Dominique Blanc, Former President, Swiss Football Association; Member, FIFA Human Rights Committee | Olivier Jarosz, Faculty Member, Geneva School of Diplomacy | Akshith Karney, Geneva School of Diplomacy Alumnus and Athlete

The Geneva School of Diplomacy hosted a panel discussion exploring Switzerland’s unique role at the intersection of international sport, diplomacy, governance, and global influence through the lens of football and sports diplomacy.

Wed, Feb. 11 2:00 PM

On campus

Refugees in a Turbulent World: Challenges and Debates in Global Refugee Protection

Ruvendrini Menikdiwela, Assistant High Commissioner for Protection

The Geneva School of Diplomacy welcomed Ruvendrini Menikdiwela, Assistant High Commissioner for Protection at UNHCR, for a high-level discussion on the global refugee landscape and the urgent protection challenges facing displaced populations worldwide.

Transparency Notice

Guest Speaker participation reflects individual contributions to specific sessions.

Inclusion in this series does not imply ongoing affiliation with the Geneva School of Diplomacy.