Overview

Institutional theory explains why large-scale action requires institutional support. Institutions provide mandates, expertise, accountability, continuity and standards. These same structures create boundaries between organisations, sectors and professional communities. In an age of interconnected crises and systemic challenges, this session asks whether the institutional arrangements that have served International Geneva remain suited to the problems it must now address. In an increasingly fractured environment, this session prompts the question: which silos protect essential expertise and authority, and which prevent Geneva from understanding problems as a whole and acting across them?

Moving beyond general calls for collaboration, the discussion will examine why silos exist, where they obstruct action and how Geneva can work across mandates while keeping neglected issues on the international agenda. The International Geneva Peace Fellows will bring an intergenerational perspective shaped by their work across peacebuilding, humanitarian, health, faith-based and policy institutions. Importantly they will also bring an outside-in intergenerational perspective. Their position across a shared Fellowship and distinct institutional partnership will offer a fresh view of how Geneva's silos operate in practice, where bridges already exist and where institutional design needs to evolve.

The session aims to produce a sharper diagnosis of Geneva’s silos and practical propositions for change: which boundaries to maintain, bridge or dismantle, and how shared platforms, liaison roles and common standards could help institutions work together.

This session is co-created with the International Geneva Peace Fellows and convened by the Geneva Policy Outlook.

Programme

Welcome and introduction

• Prathit Singh, Programme Officer, International Geneva Peace Fellowship, Interpeace

Panel 1: Geneva: A City of Silos? Busting or Maintaining Them?

• Nan Hao, International Geneva Peace Fellow, New Frontiers of Peacemaking
• Ana Carolina Pinto Dantas, International Geneva Peace Fellow, Building Partnerships
• Lashante Sampson, International Geneva Peace Fellow, Youth Leadership, Participation and Peacebuilding
• Nathanael Thomas, International Geneva Peace Fellow, Protection of Civilians and Contemporary Conflict Dynamics

Moderated by Maria Antonia Montes, International Geneva Peace Fellow, Youth Leadership, Participation and Peacebuilding

Panel 2: Addressing Complexity: If Not Silos Then What?

• Milzat Salime, International Geneva Peace Fellow, Women, Peace and Security
• Sokfa John, International Geneva Peace Fellow, New Frontiers of Peacemaking
• Wendyam Hervé Lankoandé, International Geneva Peace Fellow, Ecumenical Peacebuilding
• Chimwemwe Chifungo, International Geneva Peace Fellow, Health and Peace

Moderated by Johnny Assaf, International Geneva Peace Fellow, Youth Leadership, Participation and Peacebuilding