On 18 June, a group of 20 Graduate Institute Alumni gathered for the first time in Mexico City at a reception hosted by the Swiss Ambassador to Mexico, H.E. Mr Rudolf Knoblauch, a distinguished alumnus of the Institute. At his residence, Mr Knoblauch offered his guests a rich selection of Swiss wine and other delicacies from the Institute’s home country. He talked to his fellow alumni about the important role the Graduate Institute plays in Switzerland and the quality education it provides to generation after generation of international relations specialists.
Ambassador Lourdes Aranda, another distinguished alumnus of the Institute, was the keynote speaker of the event. She currently serves as Special Advisor to the Mexican Minister of Foreign Affairs. Ambassador Aranda shared some of her experiences and challenges in her role as Mexico’s representative to the G-20 negotiations from 2008 to 2012.
Afterwards, alumni Greta Ríos and Mariana Salazar shared a brief message on the history of the Institute and more information on the future of the new chapter. There will be three events organised each year, with the intention of sharing experiences among alumni and strengthening the network of Mexican internationalists.
This was a great opportunity to remember the wonderful experiences the alumni had as students in Geneva. Undoubtedly, this will be the first of a series of highly memorable encounters.