Positioning International Geneva in a Multilateral Landscape: What Role for Philanthropy?

International Geneva has long served as a space where states, international organisations, civil society and the private sector meet and jointly shape global governance.

 Today, this ecosystem faces mounting pressure: geopolitical fragmentation, questioning of multilateral institutions, tighter budgets, shifting priorities, institutional downsizing and the restructuring of some international organisations and their operational strategies. According to the Geneva Policy Outlook (2025, p. 20), between 2015 to 2023 the United States accounted for approximately 30% of all contributions to Geneva-based organisations. The current withdrawal of the United States from several UN institutions, together with the related funding cuts, has therefore triggered a domino effect across the multilateral system, affecting also International Geneva. 

Private and philanthropic actors have long been a part of the Geneva ecosystem, and in the context of the current crises, their role might become even more prominent. By bringing together a diverse range of perspectives, this open debate will examine how the current crisis both challenges the logic of global governance and reshapes the role of private - public partnerships, philanthropic networks and movements, as well as the funding and partnership models across various International Geneva actors and fields (e.g. global health, humanitarian affairs). It will also explore how International Geneva could better engage with a broader range of philanthropic and private actors, including for example grassroots movements, local and non-Western philanthropy, next generations (of philanthropists), while maintaining its long-established diplomatic status in global governance.

Discussion aims to address questions such as:

• What kind of partnership model between the philanthropic sector and International Geneva’s actors is currently in place, and how has these collaborations been managed? What are the biggest challenges?
• The Gates Foundation was listed as the largest private contributor among largest contributors to Geneva-based organisations. What does this indicate about the untapped potential of the philanthropic sector? Could a greater diversity of philanthropic actors and practices bring new norms and revitalise local and non-Western philanthropy, thereby enhancing Geneva’s status as a global hub?
• Would the reinvigoration of different non-state actors and philanthropic traditions and practices (e.g. faith-based, diaspora, local communities and organisations, family, corporate or state-linked giving) change the picture and logic of cooperation, and what would International Geneva need to adapt?
• What role should International Geneva play in these complex global dynamics: neutral convener, matchmaker, standard-setter, incubator of new financing models, or a combination of these? Who should set priorities in partnerships between international organisations and philanthropic actors? What has been done so far, and what should the long-term strategy be, and what are the potential risks?

Programme
 

• 12.00 -12.30 Registration and Lunch
   
• 12:30-12:33 (3 mins.) Opening remarks:  Ravinder Bhavnani, Professor, Head of the International Relations and Political Science Department, Geneva Graduate Institute
   
• 12:33-12:43 (10 mins.) Setting the Stage: Anita Budziszewska, International Relations and Political Science Department, Geneva Graduate Institute and Department of Diplomacy and International Institutions, the University of Warsaw 
   
• 12:45-13:35 (50 mins.) 
  Panel discussion:
  - Canton of Geneva
  - Rotary Genève International 
  - Centre for Philanthropy Studies, University of Basel
  - Geneva Graduate Institute
   
• 13:35-13:55 (20 mins.) Audience Q&A
   

• 13:55-14:00 Closing Remarks (5 mins.)

   

This Event is organised by the International Relations and Political Science Department, Geneva Graduate Institute and co-sponsored by Geneva-based Columbus Private.