Scholars Programme, Cohort 3:
Global Governance and the Transatlantic Connection (Module 6)
25-30 June 2023 | Graduate Institute of International and Development Studies, Geneva, Switzerland
The Scholars spent the last week of June in Geneva for a module that explored Europe’s role in a wider global context. We started with a visit to the World Trade Organization where we discussed the dispute settlement process and the WTO’s work on trade and the environment with János Volkai and Daniel Ramos. We were then treated to a tour of the older building and its artwork.
In the afternoon the Scholars met the director of the United Nations Research Institute for Social Development, who discussed key aspects of the institute’s work and their collaborations with other bodies. We followed this with a visit the UN and received another tour a tour, this time of the UN museum and archives. The next day was full of lively and thought-provoking discussions on the vibrancy and fragility of the transatlantic relationship, the Inter-Parliamentary Union’s work on climate policy, global migration governance, and the impact of the war in Ukraine on security and economic policy.
The Scholars also very much enjoyed their training on how to handle TV and radio interviews from Engaging Communications and the opportunity to practice how they would communicate the important aspects of their personal research and group projects to wider audiences.
A significant part of the module saw the Scholars make excellent progress on their policy projects. All of the groups are now writing their policy briefs, which they will finish during our next module. One group also visited the International Labour Organization to talk to their experts about their ideas.
We are grateful to colleagues at the Graduate Institute of International and Development Studies, where we were based, and to János Volkai (WTO) and Hermine Diebolt (UN) for hosting us for two very rewarding visits.
