So GSD’s 15th anniversary came and went. What a success that was!
On March 22nd, GSD’s ‘Pavillon Gallatin’ shone brighter than usual, perched proudly on the top of the hill of our beautiful campus – the Domaine de Penthes. As guests streamed in, wearing not only their best evening attire but their best smiles, we were prouder than ever to be marking our 15th anniversary on this very special occasion – World Water Day. Our fundraising gala aimed to bring support to communities in need of fresh water with our focus this particular time on Mozambique, Zanzibar and Greencross International’s “Water for Life and Peace” programme in Côte d’Ivoire.
The very elegant sit-down dinner was sprinkled with speeches by various experts as well as students from GSD. A very special introduction to the evening was made by the Director-General of the United Nations in Geneva (UNOG) Michael Möller. In a video address. Mr. Möller underlined the importance of supporting the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), a road map GSD already uses for its Humanitarian Initiative Programme (HIP). Mayor of Chambésy, Philippe Schwarm, warmly welcomed us to his commune and Mr. Johan Gély, Head of the Swiss Agency for Development Coordination Water Division (Global Program Water), updated us on his vision for the future. Professors and students alike spoke of their passion and hope for a brighter future.
A raffle offering great prizes followed the dinner, as well the auction of a painting by our very own Cole Martinsen, BA student and student ambassador at GSD. The auction was a lively one and the spirit of generosity prevailed, with the painting going for the handsome sum of 1000 francs! After all this excitement, we were all ready and able to let our hair down and hit the bar, sipping, swigging and swaying to the rhythm of rock band Solid Ash until late.
And so GSD’s 15 years of Advancing Peace and Human Rights was celebrated in style, and World Water Day had us all reflecting deeply on the importance of our commitment to making our planet a better one, and doing it fast. Every single day should have us remembering and supporting SDG number 6: “Ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all by 2030.”
Thank you all for your presence, hard work and generosity. Thanks to you all – guests, students, professors and staff alike – our 15th anniversary was a huge success!!!
With gratitude,
Your GSD team
