Graduate Institute What Matters Today
43 episodes - English - Latest episode: 22 days ago -What Matters Today is a podcast series from the Geneva Graduate Institute in which we ask faculty members to comment on current issues impacting, economics, politics, health, and society.
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Episodes
Understanding the Recent Russian Election and its Impact
April 03, 2024 15:00 - 24 minutes - 22.8 MBFrom the bustling streets of Moscow to the corridors of power in the Kremlin, Russia stands at a critical crossroads. Recent events have cast a shadow over the nation, leaving citizens and observers alike questioning the future of democracy and governance. As part of our ongoing election series, in this episode of What Matters Today we delve deep into the heart of one of the most consequential events in contemporary Russian politics: the recent election. Join us as we unravel the comple...
Exploring the ICJ Ruling on Israel
February 21, 2024 17:00 - 24 minutes - 22.8 MBOn 29 December, following the conflict between Israel and Hamas, South Africa appealed to the International Court of Justice under the 1948 Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide. Last month, the International Court of Justice ordered a series of provisional measures against Israel. In this episode, we delve into the recent ruling and explore a series of critical questions surrounding this landmark decision. Our guest today is Nico Krisch, Professor of Interna...
UNRWA Funding Suspension
February 14, 2024 13:00 - 21 minutes - 20.1 MBThe main United Nations agency responsible for aid to Palestinians, also known as UNRWA, is in the eye of the storm, as an unprecedented humanitarian disaster unfolds in the Gaza Strip. Some employees of UNRWA are accused by Israel of having been involved in the Hamas attacks of 7 October, 2023. Since these allegations were made public by the agency itself, several Western countries, led by the USA, have suspended their funding. Our guest for this episode is Riccardo Bocco, Emeritus Profes...
L'éthique au coeur de l'IA
January 25, 2024 12:00 - 26 minutes - 24.1 MBDans cet épisode de "What Matters Today", Jérôme Duberry, directeur exécutif du Tech Hub, interviewe la professeure Lyse Langlois, directrice générale de l'Observatoire international sur les impacts sociétaux de l'intelligence artificielle et du numérique (OBVIA) à l'Université de Laval. Ils explorent le thème de l'éthique au cœur de l'intelligence artificielle, basé sur le dernier rapport publié par l'OBVIA. Lyse Langlois souligne l'importance de l'éthique appliquée et de la responsabilité c...
Navigating Cybersecurity in the AI Era
December 08, 2023 10:00 - 26 minutes - 24.7 MBWelcome to another episode of What Matters Today. In today's episode, we unravel the intricate world of cybersecurity. We will delve into the various categories of hackers and explore the common cyber threats faced by non-profits. We will also look into the ever-evolving role of artificial intelligence in both cyber attacks and defense. Stay tuned for insights into how AI is transforming the cybersecurity game and discover the best practices to fortify your digital defenses. Today’s e...
Sustainable IT
December 05, 2023 10:00 - 23 minutes - 21.4 MBWelcome to What Matters Today. In today’s episode, we are taking a deep dive into the world of sustainable IT. Topics covered in this episode include the Sustainable IT Charter, which the Geneva Graduate Institute signed in June, joining 443 other organizations in doing so. We will also take a glimpse into sustainable IT initiatives at the Institute, as well as uncovering best practices for greening our digital footprint. We hope you enjoy this conversation at the intersection of technology a...
Unpacking the Israel-Hamas Conflict
October 31, 2023 12:00 - 22 minutes - 20.8 MBIn this episode of What Matters Today, we turn our focus to the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict, a topic that has captured international attention. Photo credit: Momen Faiz / NurPhoto / NurPhoto via AFP As we navigate the complexities of this conflict, we aim to provide you with a deeper understanding of the historical context, the root causes, the latest developments, and discuss potential pathways to peace. Our guest today is Riccardo Bocco, Emeritus Professor of Political Sociology at the...
NATO expansion past, present and future
July 20, 2023 09:00 - 24 minutes - 22.1 MBLast week’s NATO summit in Vilnius achieved its primary goals which were to reach an agreement that Sweden could join the alliance, and to strengthen support for Ukraine. However, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky expressed frustration that there was no clear path to membership. Joe Biden, in an interview with CNN on the eve of the summit said that Ukraine cannot join NATO while the country was at war. In addition, Ben Wallace, the UK defence secretary, said that “whether we like it or ...
France Riots
July 06, 2023 09:00 - 22 minutes - 21 MBThe death of 17-year-old French-Algerian Nahel Merzouk, killed by a police officer on 27 June in Nanterre, France sparked urban riots across France. Things seem to be calming down, however tension definitely persists. In ths episode we look at the factors behind these riots and how France’s colonial past plays an important part in all of this. We also discuss what needs to be done to help prevent a similar situation from happening again. My guest today is Professor Mohamed Mahmoud MOHAMEDOU, ...
Artificial Intelligence and its impact on our daily lives
June 22, 2023 15:00 - 1 hour - 61.9 MBArtificial Intelligence (AI) is everywhere nowadays. This special edition episode of What Matters Today examines how AI is being used on a daily basis, the issues of AI governance and ethics, and of course, ChatGPT. This episode is moderated by Dr. Jérome Duberry, Managing Director of the Geneva Graduate Institute's Tech Hub; Academic Advisor, Executive Education; and Senior Researcher at the Institute. Our guests for this episode are Anne Lee Steele (Researcher and Community Manager, The Tur...
Wagner Group
June 13, 2023 09:00 - 18 minutes - 16.5 MBMore and more private military companies are replacing soldiers on battlefields these days. We have seen this before, with Blackwater in Iraq, and are seeing this again with the Wagner Group being used in the Russia-Ukraine war. In addition to Ukraine, the group has significantly increased its activities in recent years in Syria, Libya, Sudan, Central African Republic, Mozambique and Mali among other countries. In some of these countries, the Wagner Group has been accused of human rights vio...
Science Diplomacy
May 04, 2023 09:00 - 16 minutes - 15.4 MBNext week is Science Diplomacy Week here in Geneva and therefore this week’s episode of What Matters Today will focus on the topic of Science Diplomacy. We will highlight what Science Diplomacy is and discuss the problems it’s trying to solve. We will also talk about how the war in Ukraine is impacting Science Diplomacy. Our guest today is Niccolo Iorno. Niccolo is a biotechnologist with an MBA from the Collège des Ingénieurs, a “grande École” based in Paris. He currently works at the Swis...
China’s role in the Russia-Ukraine war
March 28, 2023 09:00 - 13 minutes - 12.3 MBOn the anniversary of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, China’s Foreign Ministry presented a 12- point peace plan entitled “China’s Position on the Political Settlement of the Ukraine Crisis“ to end the war in Ukraine. Fred Tanner, who is a Research Associate at the Geneva Graduate Institute’s Centre on Conflict, Development and Peacebuilding, and is a Visiting Professor at Institute, joins us for this episode of What Matters Today. Is the plan credible? Why did China propose such a plan when it...
Iraq war 20 years on
March 21, 2023 10:00 - 19 minutes - 18.3 MBThe Iraq war started on 20 March 2003 when US forces invaded the country with the goal of “disarming it, freeing its people, and to defend the world from grave danger”. The US formally declared the end of the war on 15 December 2011. As today is the 20th anniversary of the Iraq war, we look at its long shadow, and how it still looms. How has the war impacted Iraq and its people? Did Operation Iraqi Freedom, the US code name for the invasion, actually provide freedom? These are only a few o...
Peru Protests
February 02, 2023 10:00 - 19 minutes - 17.9 MBOn 7 December of last year, Peruvian president Pedro Castillo was removed by Congress and arrested on charges of “rebellion” and “conspiracy”. This has led to weeks of violent protests in Peru that have resulted in the deaths of at least 48 people. Protesters are demanding the dissolution of Congress, the resignation of Peru’s new president, Dina Boluarte, new general elections, and the release of Castillo In this episode of What Matters Today, we look at the underlying causes of these prote...
The cost of living crisis
January 26, 2023 10:00 - 14 minutes - 13.6 MBThe cost-of-living crisis is affecting many households globally. But how did we get here? We know that the war in Ukraine is fuelling the cost of living crisis, however what are the other causes? What are the potential solutions to this crisis? Salary increases and price controls are often brought up as solutions, but are they effective? And lastly, how will this crisis impact the transition to greener energy? These are some of the questions that we will examine in this episode of What Matte...
Israeli Elections and The Rise of the Far Right
December 20, 2022 10:00 - 17 minutes - 15.6 MBIsrael has been through several elections in the past few years. In fact, Israel has had five elections in just four years. The most recent elections, the ones that took place on November 1st, saw an important rise of the far right in Israel. In this episode of What Matters Today we look at the impact of the far right in Israel. We also examine how the far right helped Benjamin Netanyahu win the election. And finally, we discuss the general reaction of Palestinians to the election results. My...
UK Politics: Is chaos the new normal?
December 01, 2022 10:00 - 17 minutes - 15.8 MBBoris Johnson’s last day as UK Prime Minister was 6 September. On the same day, Liz Truss was elected leader of the Conservatives and thus Prime Minister. However, she resigned after just 44 days in office, making her the shortest-serving Prime Minister in UK history. The current Prime Minister, Rishi Sunak, was appointed on 25 October. To recap, the UK has had three Prime Ministers in two months. Many are saying that Britain’s political scene is in chaos. Is this the new normal? What challe...
Iran Protests: A revolution in the making?
November 22, 2022 10:00 - 21 minutes - 19.7 MBIn this episode, we look at why the current protests in Iran have mobilized so many. We also examine who is actually participating in these protests and the role students are playing as well. Will these protests end up changing Iran? How will all of this end? Will the current regime fall? These are some of the questions we will examine in this episode. My guest today is Cyrus Schayegh, Professor of International History and Politics at the Geneva Graduate Institute. Professor Schayegh, who ha...
Energy Crisis and the Ukraine War
November 07, 2022 10:00 - 15 minutes - 14.6 MBThe energy crisis is expected to get worse as we approach winter in the northern hemisphere. But will it? Are recent declining gas prices a sign that the energy crisis will not be as bad as expected? Will the crisis lead to a faster transition to green energy - and does this crisis actually have a potential beneficial effect on Africa. These are some of the questions that will be addressed in this episode of What Matters Today My guest today is Professor Giacomo Luciani. Professor Lucia...
To Wear or Not to Wear? More than Just the Hijab in Question
October 28, 2022 09:00 - 21 minutes - 19.6 MBHair-cutting, hijab burning, mourning the loss of a friend, sister, daughter and woman: these are the images of worldwide protests sparked after 22-year old Mahsa Amini was detained for wearing an “improper” hijab in Tehran, and fell into a coma and died. Yet in many of the western countries where the rights of women are simultaneously being decried in Iran, Muslim women are accosted daily for their beliefs and how they dress, finding themselves as the subjects of extreme forms of racism and...
Post-partition: 75 years after the divide between India and Pakistan
September 20, 2022 08:00 - 16 minutes - 14.9 MBIn 1947, 300 years after British colonisation began, Cyril John Radcliffe was assigned the task of drawing the borders to define two newly independent nation states: India and Pakistan. On 9 August 1947, he submitted the partition, separating the two nations based upon religious majorities. Put into effect on 17 August 1947 – two days after India became independent of the United Kingdom and three days after Pakistan’s independence – pandemonium broke out as millions soon found themselves on ...
Brazil elections: What is at stake nationally and globally?
September 06, 2022 09:00 - 18 minutes - 17.2 MBAll eyes are on Brazil as the first round of its upcoming presidential election on 2 October has already stirred heated debate. Incumbent far-right president Jair Bolsonaro and left-wing former president Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, “Lula”, could again become president, however, neither comes with a sterling political record. Meanwhile, the future of Brazil hangs in the balance. Graziella Moraes Silva, Professor of Anthropology and Sociology here at the Geneva Graduate Institute and Co-dire...
Global impact of Roe v Wade being overturned
July 08, 2022 09:00 - 19 minutes - 27.3 MBOn Friday 24 June, the United States Supreme Court overturned Roe v Wade ending 50 years of federal abortion rights. 26 stats are expected to ban abortion immediately or as soon as possible. The ruling has sent shockwaves throughout the US where pro-choice supporters immediately condemned it while many conservatives praised the decision President Biden condemned the ruling, calling it a “tragic error” and even accused the Supreme Court of “Outrageous behaviour”. But what will be the impact o...
Inflation on the rise
July 01, 2022 09:00 - 17 minutes - 24.6 MBInflation has been a headline issue over the past few months with key questions being why is it so high right now, what can be done to decrease it, and how long will it last? These are some of the questions that will be addressed in this episode of What Matters Today. Our guest for this episode is Cedric Tille, Professor of International Economics at the Geneva Graduate Institute. Credits: Channel 4 News: https://youtu.be/GT9k0i8CMMk The Economist: https://youtu.be/ZAWrcum9COU
The impact of Finland's and Sweden's application to join NATO
May 26, 2022 09:00 - 10 minutes - 15.1 MBOn Wednesday 18 May, Finland and Sweden simultaneously handed in their official letters of application to join NATO. Both countries decided to do so following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. How will this impact both countries' relationship with Russia? Will Turkey block Finland and Sweden from becoming NATO members? Could Finland’s and Sweden’s membership and subsequent NATO expansion lead to a new Cold War?
Gangs and Suburbs: What Impact on the French Elections?
April 10, 2022 09:00 - 21 minutes - 19.8 MBWith the French Presidential elections taking place this month, this episode of What Matters Today focuses on how topics such as gangs and gang-related violence, the war on drugs, and the social situation in French suburbs (known as “les banlieues”), are impacting campaign discussions and promises.
The EU Reaction to the War in Ukraine
March 17, 2022 09:00 - 21 minutes - 19.3 MBThis episode focuses on how the EU has reacted since Russia invaded Ukraine. What steps has the EU taken since the start of the war, and what are the long-term policy implications. How will the EU respond to Ukraine's - as well as Moldova’s and Georgia’s requests to join the EU? These are some of the questions we will address in this episode. Our guest for this episode is Cédric Dupont, professor of International Relations and Political science at the Graduate Institute.
Diplomatic Boycotts of the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics
February 04, 2022 10:00 - 16 minutes - 15.2 MBThe Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics have begun and today we are looking at the diplomatic boycotts surrounding the games. So far, countries such as Australia, Canada, Japan, Lithuania, the United Kingdom, and the United States, have announced a diplomatic boycott of the Games in response to the Chinese government's human rights abuses. However, do these types of boycotts have any impact? Should sports and politics mix? How will this impact the relationship between China and these countries aft...
Crisis in Afghanistan
September 24, 2021 09:00 - 38 minutes - 35.4 MBNow that the US has pulled out of Afghanistan and that the Taliban have taken over the country, what does the future of Afghanistan look like? Did any good come out of the last 20 years? And how will this impact the people of Afghanistan? These are some of the questions that are discussed in this episode of What Matters Today. Professor Alessandro Monsutti is the guest for this episode. Professor Monsutti Monsutti became a member of the Graduate Institute faculty in 2010. He has conducted m...
Synthetic Biology
June 08, 2021 13:48 - 19 minutes - 17.6 MBClimate change has been at the forefront of environmental discussions lately, but there are other aspects of the environmental crisis, one of the most significant being biodiversity loss. Bill Adams is the Claudio Segré Chair of Conservation and Development as well as Visiting Professor of the Interdisciplinary Programme here at the Institute. He was previously the Moran Professor of Conservation and Development at the University of Cambridge. In his recent publication, Strange Natures, he ...
Covid-19 Vaccine Diplomacy
May 07, 2021 09:00 - 18 minutes - 17.1 MBThe topic of this podcast episode is vaccine diplomacy. The term "vaccine diplomacy" has become more prevalent in the media as the Covid pandemic continues to engulf the globe. Now the world is asking “who maintains the rights to the vaccine patents and how are vaccines distributed and to whom?” But there are a number of intricacies to this sort of diplomacy and it brings to the fore a number of challenges. My guests for this episode are Professors Ilona Kickbusch and Michel Kazatchkine. Pro...
The Impact of COVID-19 on Cities
April 19, 2021 09:00 - 30 minutes - 28.3 MBHow will COVID-19 impact cities moving forward? This is the topic of our 11th episode featuring Dennis Rodgers, Research Professor in Anthropology and Sociology at the Graduate Institute. Prior to joining the Institute in 2018, Professor Rodgers held appointments at the Universities of Amsterdam, Glasgow, Manchester, and the London School of Economics and Political Science. His research focuses on issues relating to the dynamics of conflict and violence in cities in Latin America (Nicaragua, ...
Arab Spring - 10 years on
January 25, 2021 10:00 - 18 minutes - 17 MBThe Arab Spring protests started in December 2010. In this episode we examine the impact and legacy of the Arab Spring 10 years on. My guest is Mohamed Mahmoud Mohamedou, Professor of International History and Chair of the International History Department at the Graduate Institute.
Brexit: What Next?
December 16, 2020 10:00 - 26 minutes - 24.7 MBWith the Brexit transition period officially ending on 31 December, what will happen next between the UK and the EU? This episode features Cédric Dupont, Professor of International Relations and Political Science, and president of Executive Education at the Graduate Institute. In this episode, Professor Dupont discusses the freedom of movement for people and goods as well as the impact of a “No Deal” Brexit among other topics.
The impact of the US elections on democracy
November 03, 2020 10:00 - 31 minutes - 28.4 MBThe topic of this episode is the impact of the upcoming US elections on Democracy and features Professor Shalini Randeria. Professor Randeria is Professor of Social Anthropology and Sociology and is director of the Albert Hirschman Centre on Democracy at the Graduate Institute. She is also Rector of the Institute for Human Sciences in Vienna and holds the Excellence Chair at the University of Bremen where she runs a research group on soft authoritarianism.
COVID-19 impact on organisational structure and governance
August 19, 2020 11:00 - 19 minutes - 17.7 MBIn this third episode of our post-coronavirus series, we look at the impacts that the COVID-19 pandemic could have on organisations and governance. Specifically, we examine the effects the pandemic will have on future organisational structures. We also discuss what evolutionary theory can teach us about the global order during and after COVID-19. This episode features Cedric Dupont, Professor of international relations and political science, and president of Executive Education at the Graduat...
The impact of COVID-19 on human rights
July 15, 2020 12:45 - 32 minutes - 30.1 MBOver the past few months, the coronavirus has had a major impact on many different facets of our daily lives. One topic that isn't often addressed however, is the impact the pandemic has, and will continue to have, on human rights. In this second episode of our special series which examines a post coronavirus world, we examine how the pandemic has changed how human rights are viewed and respected, how it is affecting victims of domestic violence, and how it has become a barrier, in some inst...
Racial injustice and the death of George Floyd
June 04, 2020 09:00 - 25 minutes - 23.6 MBThis episode features a discussion about what is happening in the United States at the moment following the death of George Floyd during his arrest by police in Minneapolis last week. This discussion focuses on why this situation continues to happen, what is needed to change it, and is this solely about police brutality or is it about human rights? Mohamed Mahmoud Mohamedou, Professor of International History and Chair of the International History Department at the Graduate Institute and Davi...
The historical impact of the coronavirus
May 20, 2020 14:10 - 33 minutes - 30.4 MBThis episode marks the beginning of a special post-coronavirus series. Each episode will feature separate interviews with two professors and a student from one of our academic departments. The focus of this series is to discuss what a post-coronavirus world will look like from various points of views. This episode focuses on the historical impact of the coronavirus and features Mohamed Mahmoud Mohamedou, Professor of International History and Chair of the International History Department at t...
What economic policies can be used to mitigate the impact of COVID-19?
April 30, 2020 11:00 - 19 minutes - 18.2 MBCédric Tille is a Professor of international economics at the Graduate Institute. He has been a member of faculty since 2007. He previously worked as an economist at the International Research Function for the Federal Reserve Bank of New York and has been a member of the Bank Council of the Swiss National Bank since 2011. In this episode, Professor Tille highlights the economic policies that can help minimise the impact of COVID-19.
The impact of the Trump administration's decision to halt WHO funding
April 27, 2020 17:00 - 22 minutes - 20.9 MBDr Suerie Moon, Co-Director of the Graduate Institute’s Global Health Centre, and former lecturer on Global Health at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, discusses the impact of the Trump administration's decision to halt funding to the World Health Organization. In addition, she shares her views on how the WHO has been handling the coronavirus pandemic.
The Outbreak of COVID-19 Coronavirus: are the International Health Regulations fit for purpose?
April 22, 2020 14:32 - 28 minutes - 26.4 MBGian Luca Burci, Adjunct Professor of international law at the Graduate Institute since 2012, and former Legal Counsel for the World Health Organization, answers questions about his article in the European Journal of International Law about the International Health Regulations and discusses if they are truly fit for purpose.