Engaging the future

Our world is increasingly uncertain and fragmented, yet we have never been so interdependent. In a context where crises with a global impact are accumulating and interacting, we need to embrace this complexity and actively shape a desirable future.

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A Century of Impact

Since 1927, the Geneva Graduate Institute (then HEI) has been a pioneer in the exploration of global issues and their governance. Our history parallels that of International Geneva - and our projection as a player in multilateralism is deeply rooted in our Genevan and Swiss roots.

Our strategic ambitions are based on the Institute’s emblematic role as a vector of multilateralism, while adapting it to the new realities of the world.

As we approach the celebration of the Institute's 100th anniversary in 2027, our strategic forecast underlines more than ever the relevance of what we do at the Institute and the urgency of the issues we explore. This ability to look confidently to the future is based on solid foundations and on the spectacular growth of recent years, but it also requires new investments and resources.

Confronting Today's Toughest Challenges: Six Global Issues in Focus

The challenges facing our world are many and interwoven. We identify six as being of particular priority. Beyond the three pillars of our Charter - Peace, Sustainability and Equity - the issues of Multilateralism, Democracy and Technology must be at the heart of our strategic projection.

The skills that have historically defined the Institute - critical thinking, transdisciplinarity, the articulation of research with expertise and practice, innovation and agility - are particularly relevant to tackling these issues and the challenges that characterise them.

We are at a turning point. Thinking through the interwoven complexity of these issues is the sine qua non of an even more ambitious project - that of re-enchanting humanity to ensure its resilience and survival.

Help us Engage the Future and shape a brighter world

Together, let's engage the future. Join us on this journey and let your generosity be the catalyst for change.

100 years of the Institute

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Together, let's engage the future. Join us on this journey and let your generosity be the catalyst for change.
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Supporting Foundations

 

There are two foundations that support the Graduate Institute, share its values and are committed to its success. Those foundations enjoy non-profit status, so donations made to them are tax-exempt to varying degrees, depending on national legislation.

FERIS

The “Fondation pour l’étude des relations internationales en Suisse” (Foundation for the Study of International Relations in Switzerland, FERIS) was established in 1957 by Jacques Freymond to raise funding that is managed independently from the Institute but in the Institute’s interests.

FERIS' Foundation Board is chaired by Jennifer Blanke and is comprised of four co-opted members (Aline Chabloz, Nicolas Mougeot, Pierre Pâris, Ghislaine Weder), the Institute's Director (Marie-Laure Salles - with no voting rights), two representatives from the Institute’s Foundation Board (Charles Beer and Blaise Matthey), as well as one member of the Alumni Association Committee (Jasmine Danzeisen).

Charles Beer 

Representative of the Institute’s Foundation Board

Beer

Charles Beer served for over 10 years on Geneva’s cantonal government as Minister of Public Education and Minister of Culture and Sports, and was elected its President in 2007 and 2013. Having trained as a social worker, he was Director of the Actions Unia trade union between 1988 and 2003. Currently President of Pro Helvetia, Charles Beer also serves on the Foundation Boards of Partage and of Terre des hommes. He is also a lecturer at the Haute École de travail social in Genev.

Blaise Matthey

Vice-President for Europe and Central Asia and Treasurer of the International Organization of Employers (IOE)

Blaise Matthey is a regular member of the Governing Body of the International Labour Organization (ILO) and the Swiss employers' delegate to the International Labour Conference (ILC). 

From 2007 to 2023, he was the CEO of FER, the umbrella organisation of businesses and employers for the French-speaking part of Switzerland, and a member of the boards and chamber of the three Swiss Business and Employers Confederations. He has also been a member and president of various councils in the fields of social security, corporate social responsibility, and education at both regional and national levels. 

He is currently Special Advisor for Labour Affairs for the Swiss Confederation of Employers (UPS) and for FER.

He is a member of the Board of the Fondation des immeubles pour les organisations internationales (FIPOI) and of the Federal Committee against racism. He also holds various positions in several non-profit organisations.

A Doctor of Law and a qualified lawyer, Blaise Matthey has completed management programmes at INSEAD (Paris/Singapore) and has interned at law firms in Chicago, as well as at the Confederation of German Employers’ Associations (BDA) in Berlin.

He is the author of numerous publications in political, economic, and legal fields.

The Friends of the Graduate Institute, Geneva, Inc.

Created in 2010 to support the Institute’s projects, this foundation took over from FERIS America. Like its predecessor, its donations are tax-exempt (501 (c) (3) status).

Its Board of Trustees comprises:

  • Richard Thoman – Chair
  • Thomas Helbling
  • Heidi Hiebert
  • Paul Mathieu
  • Irene Miller
  • Brad Smith
  • Sherry Stephenson
  • Ethan Weisman
  • Marie-Laure Salles, Director of the Institute – ex officio member

Partner Foundations 

 

Pictet Foundation for Development

Ivan Pictet created the Pictet Foundation for Development with a capital of 25 million Swiss francs to support the creation of a space to present International Geneva and fund the establishment of the Graduate Institute’s Centre for Finance and Development and its three chairs (held by Professors Ugo Panizza, Yi Huang and Lore Vandewalle).

The Centre for Finance and Development aims to consolidate the Institute’s overlapping expertise in international finance, development economics and financial history and to raise awareness of this promising field.

Pierre du Bois Foundation for Contemporary History

The Pierre du Bois Foundation encourages and funds research into contemporary history, offering study scholarships and providing grants for research and publications. The annual Pierre du Bois Prize is awarded for the best thesis in international history defended at the Institute. Since 2018, the Foundation and the Institute have co-funded the Pierre du Bois Chair on Europe and the World, held by Professor Michael Goebel.

The Foundation was created to honour the memory of Pierre du Bois, former professor at the Graduate Institute, who passed away in June 2007.

Paul and Thomas Guggenheim Foundations

The Paul Guggenheim Foundation awards a prize to a first-time author in the field of international public law who has produced important, high-quality work.

The Thomas Guggenheim Foundation supports the history of economic thought by organising a biennial international symposium and awarding a prize recognising an exceptional piece of work, or body of work, in this field.

The International Center for Monetary and Banking Studies (ICMB)

The International Center for Monetary and Banking Studies aims to facilitate the exchange of ideas, information and research in the fields of international money, banking and finance. Its distinguishing feature is to bring together leaders from three fields: central banks, private banks and academia.

ICMB’s main activities are organising public lectures and an annual, international conference, whose findings are published. Charles Wyplosz, honorary professor at the Institute, led the ICMB for 20 years before handing over its leadership in 2018 to Professor Ugo Panizza.