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Director's Message

 
Summer 2011 is a turning point in the life of the Institute. As the construction of the Edgar de Picciotto Student House progresses at a sustained pace and work begins on the “Maison de la paix”, the “Campus de la paix” is beginning to take shape. Its realisation, supported by a solid public-private partnership, will add to our appeal by providing high-quality infrastructure that will serve to enhance a wealth of existing knowledge built up over recent years.

This growing wealth is due in no small measure to the recruitment of experienced professors and the intake of talented students from all over the world. It has also been nourished by the creation of research centres and programmes focusing on priority issues in which Geneva has an undeniable comparative advantage (trade, conflict, environment, migration, health). The Foundation Board has recently strengthened this by approving the creation of two new cross-cutting programmes. The first, devoted to gender (Gender and Global Change Programme) is led by Professor Elisabeth Prügl. The second, devoted to international governance (Programme for the Study of International Governance), comes under the responsibility of Professor Thomas Biersteker.

The first of these new programmes is now operational. It complements the Chair of Gender Studies created in 2008 and occupied by Elisabeth Prügl. The Institute is delighted to contribute to the expansion of this field, one that is increasingly represented in Switzerland, notably in Basel, Geneva and Lausanne, and which will serve as a stimulus for all its activities. Pedagogically and intellectually, gender studies help to sharpen our vision of the different ways in which society functions. They are an indispensable analytical tool in the fields of international relations and development studies. And they will help to reinforce the development of a transparent and inclusive identity for the Institute as it embarks on the path which will lead to the inauguration of the “Campus de la paix”.

Philippe Burrin, Director

For more information: Globe N08, Autumn 2011