The Geneva School of Diplomacy & International Relations is committed to bridging the gap between theory and practice in the field of International Relations. In addition to GSD’s international relations courses given by our renowned faculty, serving Ambassadors and other members of the diplomatic neighbourhood, representatives from the International Organisations as well as high-level experts on cutting edge issues are regularly invited to share their invaluable knowledge and experience with the students.
Lectures & Guest speakers
2019-2020 Schedule, Fall Semester
The fall 2019 semester will resume on Monday 2 September 2019 and our Issues & Challenges sessions will start on Wednesday 4 September 2019.
Wednesday September 4, 14:00 – 16:00:
Amb. Dr. John J. Maresca, former Rector of the University for Peace, former US Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense and US Ambassador about “The Current Situation of the Two Koreas and the Possible Relevance of the “Helsinki Model.”
Wednesday September 11, 14:00 – 16:00:
H.E. Ambassador, Prof. Dr. Athar Sultan-Khan, GSD Dean, Special Advisor on Diplomatic Matters to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), about “Diplomacy by Dialogue: New Challenges, New Solutions.”
Wednesday September 18, 14:00 – 16:00:
Mr. Hugo SLIM, Head of Policy and Humanitarian Diplomacy ICRC, about “The ICRC Humanitarian Diplomacy in a re-ordering world.”
Wednesday October 16, 14:00 – 16:00:
Mr. Stefan Ziegler, GSD Faculty Consultancy for Advocacy and Capacity Building, about “Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe: Elections Monitoring Experience.”
Lecture 1:Wednesday October 30, 14:00 – 15:00:
H.E. Ambassador Sibi George, Ambassador of India to Switzerland, Liechtenstein and The Holy See (Vatican), Topic TBC
Lecture 2: Wednesday October 30, 15:00 – 16:00:
Professor V. Shivkumar, Coordinator/Managing Trustee, Indo-Latin American Association for International Trade and Cultural Cooperation (regd) , Former Visiting, Professor, Centre for European Studies, and , Former Coordinator, UNESCO Madanjeet Singh Institute for South Asia Regional Cooperation (UMISARC); Pondicherry Central University, Former Vice Chancellor; Former Nominee of the Chancellor, Academic Council,Goa University; Former Visiting Professor, University of Colima, Mexico; Former Director, UGC Center for Latin American and Intl. Studies, India, about “Reflections on Indo-Latin American Relations.”
Wednesday November 13, 17:00-20:00:
GSD Talent Show –
Wednesday November 27, 14:00 – 16:00:
H.E. Alexandre Guido Lopes Parola, Permanent Representative of Brazil to the WTO and Other Economic Organizations in Geneva. “Brazil at WTO”.
Wednesday December 11, 13:00 – 14:30
His Royal Highness Prince Radu of Romania, accompanied by the spouse — Her Royal Highness Princess Margareta of Romania, Custodian of the Crown of Romania, The Head of the House of Romania and a disputed pretender to the former Romanian throne. “Royal Diplomacy and Romania Today”.
Previous guest speakers and topics
Archbishop Silvano M. TOMASI
Permanent Observer of the Holy See to the United Nations and other International Organizations in Geneva – The Diplomatic Role of the Holy See in International Arena
Mr. Miguel CAMACHO
Programme Adviser at The International Trade Centre’s (ITC) Women and Trade Programme – Women’s Economic Empowerment
Mr. Juan Pablo CARDENAL
Journalist & Writer, Former Correspondent in China and Front line Researcher on China’s Global Reach – China goes global: Opportunities and Challenges
Mr. Naoufel DRIDI
Operation Logistics Officer, Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) – The Political and Logistical Challenges of Humanitarian Operations: the Médecins Sans Frontières experience
Mr. Paulo CAVALERI
International Federation of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC), Lawyer – An Overview of International Disaster Law: Perspective from the International Federation of the Red Cross
Ms. Gordana JERGER
The World Food Programme (WFP), Geneva Office, Director – Ending Hunger in our Lifetime
Amb. Nazhat Mameem KHAN
Ambassador of Fiji to the UN and other International Organizations in Geneva – Legal and Policy Planning for the Vulnerable and Climate Change
Mr. Jini Sebakunzi
R20-Regions of Climate Action, East Africa Program Manager – Transition from private sector to NGO; discovering challenges of International Development
Mr. Dmitry Godunov
UNCTAD, Division on Technology and Logistics – Practical Tips for the Aspiring Diplomats
Mr. Nicholas Krohley
Founder & CEO of Subaltern Research Services – Shi’ite militarism in Iraq, and the regional influence of Iran
Judge Mauro Politi
Member of the UN Human Rights Committee; former Judge of the International Criminal Court – Recent Activities of the Human Rights Committee
Dr. Burkhard Varnholt
CIO of Bank Julius Bär; Founder of “Kids of Africa” – Thoughts about leadership in a changing global economy
Mr. Bohdan Nahajlo
Independent International Political and Humanitarian Affairs Specialist; former Chief of the UN DPA Team in Ukraine; former senior policy adviser for the UNHCR – The Ukrainian Crisis: Challenges and Lessons
Mr. Stefan Ziegler
Training Consultant and Humanitarian Practitioner – Learning Alliance – A tool for networking
Dr. Olga Khazova
UN CRC expert; Professor at the Institute of State & Law, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia – Children Rights and Some of the Emerging Challenges
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