A Swiss non-profit foundation committed to improving the quality of life in vulnerable communities across Latin America, Fondation Soli has generously contributed to the Geneva Graduate Institute’s efforts to advance education and research in Peru and the Andean region.

Catherine Mulder, an entrepreneur and alumna of the Institute (MINT 1977), with deep professional roots in Latin America, founded Fondation Soli in 2018 to combine strategic philanthropy with a commitment to long-term social integration. Each year, Fondation Soli makes it possible for talented students from Peru and the Andean region to pursue their studies at the Institute by funding full scholarships. These scholarships are awarded based on financial need and academic excellence, opening doors to transformative opportunities for the recipients.

In addition to supporting students, Fondation Soli also funds research scholarships that enable both Master’s and PhD students to conduct fieldwork in Peru and the Andean region as part of their PhD thesis or Master’s dissertation. This support is vital in fostering meaningful, locally grounded research.

We are also grateful that the partnership includes the opportunity to invite a visiting professor, further enriching our academic community and strengthening ties with the region.

This continued commitment and trust from Fondation Soli makes a lasting difference.

 
Catherine Mulder discusses her international experiences and time at the Institute:

Can you tell us a little bit about your personal journey before founding Fondation Soli?

I was born in Lima, Peru, to a Swiss father and a Greek mother who had arrived in Peru in 1947. I grew up going to a British-Peruvian school in Lima and a prep-school in Lausanne, Switzerland. In 1973, I was admitted to the University of Geneva and later graduated from the Geneva Graduate Institute with a degree in International Relations in 1977. I then returned to Lima, where I worked in an Anglo-Peruvian publishing company as a photojournalist, covering the country’s tourism sector and later mining and economics before moving to New York City to attend the School of International and Public Affairs, Columbia University (SIPA) in 1980. After graduating from SIPA, I worked in banking and then in the family business, which I managed with my brothers.
 

Why did you decide to study at the Geneva Graduate Institute?

Friends in Geneva had spoken highly of the Institute, its courses and faculty. Whilst studying political science at
the University of Geneva, I became interested in the Institute’s faculty and interdisciplinary programme: international history, international law, and international economics. For admission at the time, there was a requirement to interview with Professor Jacques Freymond, Director of the Institute (IUHEI). I was admitted to the Institute and graduated in Summer 1977.
 

What inspired you to found Fondation Soli and support students from the Andean region?

Through the years, I met many wonderful, outstanding young people in Peru and the Andean Region, eager to improve and lead, but scarce economic resources limited their ability to pursue graduate studies and specialisation. Together with the urgency to contribute to public policy, local and international governance, and peace-building, I felt it important to invest in the next generations and so, founded Fondation Soli.

As an alumna, how has your own experience at the Geneva Graduate Institute shaped your perspective on education and giving back?

My career path has given me the opportunity to continue education, attending events and other executive programmes specific to the business positions I held. I kept contact with the Institute via invitations to conferences, webinars during the Covid-19 pandemic, and their alumni mailing. Knowing the value of education, during the Covid-19 lockdowns, I reflected on how to help youth to develop their talent and professionalism. A great respect for the Institute motivated me to share my project with them. In 2021, it was a pleasure and honour to begin a draft with the Institute, detailing the partnership, mainly focused on Peru and the Andean Region. I am grateful to the Institute for this opportunity.
 
 

Testimonials

I extend my sincere gratitude for your continued support, which has been invaluable in enabling me to
pursue my studies and career goals. As I continue my professional journey, I am more committed than ever
to leveraging my education to promote social inclusion and human rights in Peru and beyond. 

Grecia Pillaca Burga, Master in International and Development Studies (MINT)

My deepest thanks to Fondation Soli for supporting international students from South America. I consider
that we have a unique perspective of the world that should be taken into account, and it is through the support of scholarships that we can pursue our academic goals. Once again, thank you for believing in our potential. You can be certain that we will strive to make a meaningful impact in the world.

Carolina Changoluisa Barahona, Master in International Law

 

Fondation SOLI

Dedicated to improving the quality of life of vulnerable communities across Latin America, Fondation Soli focuses on three main areas: supporting access to education from elementary to higher levels, with a particular emphasis on science and technology, communication, life skills and the arts; investing in initiatives that enhance living conditions; and promoting cultural inclusion through artistic, musical, and cultural initiatives.
 

This article was published in Globe #36, the Graduate Institute Review.