The Institute has received an exceptional number of applications this year. What factors do you think explain this increased interest in its programmes?
Recent reforms have significantly enhanced the quality, visibility, and appeal of our academic programmes. These strategic adjustments have aligned our curriculum with contemporary global challenges and the evolving expectations of students and employers alike. A prime example is our interdisciplinary master’s programme, restructured in 2020 and now entering its final phase of reform to further strengthen its professional orientation. This year, it proudly welcomes 280 new students.
Moreover, the Institute’s research excellence on increasingly urgent global challenges continues to strengthen its reputation as a leading academic institution.
Finally, the growing tensions surrounding science and higher education in the United States have certainly prompted some students to reconsider their academic paths, seeking environments that offer stability, inclusivity, and a strong sense of purpose. In this evolving landscape, the Institute stands out as a credible and compelling alternative.
Is this increase in applications part of a broader trend observed within Swiss and European universities?
Yes, this trend is observable across other European and Swiss institutions, though to varying extents. Switzerland enjoys a privileged position, often perceived as a stronghold of academic freedom — even in comparison to its European counterparts. However, it also faces tangible challenges, notably the strength of the Swiss franc and the high costs of living, which can deter prospective students. To address this, there is an urgent need to secure new funding for scholarships specifically aimed at students from certain regions of the world.
In your opinion, what are the Institute's main strengths for new generations of students? And what are your objectives in terms of developing the teaching programmes?
Aimé Césaire once remarked that exchange is like oxygen for civilisations — it keeps them from turning inward and withering. In this spirit, the Institute is a place where oxygen flows freely and where intellectual exchange, diversity, and respectful dialogue flourish. This deeply embedded culture of openness is one of our greatest strengths in today’s interconnected world.
Another key asset lies in our ability to combine critical thinking with constructive projection towards the new solutions that our world needs. The Institute has always bridged academic excellence with relevant expertise, analysis and innovation, reflection and action around global issues.
Finally, the Institute equips students with versatile, transferable skills that are highly valued across sectors — from international organisations and diplomacy to the private sector, consulting, NGOs, and academia. This broad applicability enhances their impact and adaptability in a rapidly evolving professional landscape.
In a global context marked by multiple crises, what role does the Institute intend to play on the academic and international stage?
The Institute positions itself as a hub for critical analysis, dedicated to decoding global trends and deep structural shifts. We carry the responsibility of making sense of the underlying forces behind recent transformations, offering insights that help anticipate both current and emerging crises.
Equally important is the Institute’s enduring commitment to a particular vision of the world — one that is embedded in its founding ethos. Established in 1927 with the ambition of contributing to global stability, the Institute remains guided by the principles articulated by William Rappard: “The Institute will contribute to reducing mistrust and the influence of secular prejudices, and will work to make our world a place where justice, truth and light prevail.”
In a time marked by growing polarisation, violence, conflict and war, it is more vital than ever for the Institute to reaffirm its dedication to peace. Upholding the principle of “never again” demands renewed international cooperation and a reimagining of the multilateral system. Today, peace must be understood as inseparable from social justice and environmental sustainability — values that must continue to guide our mission.
Academic freedom seems increasingly under threat in several parts of the world, particularly in the United States since Donald Trump's election. As the director of an institute committed to defending knowledge and critical debate, what thoughts does this situation provoke in you?
Now more than ever, we must uphold and champion academic freedom — a principle increasingly under threat, including in places like the United States. Beyond reflecting our core identity, this commitment has become a pressing responsibility, and one that is far from self-evident. The Institute has played this role before, notably in the late 1930s, and we must now find the courage to continue along a path that is increasingly challenged.
We have a duty to engage with all relevant topics and confront the full spectrum of issues facing humanity, guided by a free and responsible academic approach. This means fostering open debate while standing firmly by the values that define us: law over force, cooperation over conflict, peace over war, and science over propaganda.