On Monday 2 September, Graduate Institute Director Philippe Burrin signed an agreement with Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, Director General of the United Nations Office in Geneva (UNOG), bolstering cooperation between the two institutions.

“This is a big event. I am personally committed to working with the Graduate Institute,” said Tokayev.

The partnership will facilitate Institute students’ access to internships at the UN and its Graduate Study Programme. Students will also benefit from special programmes organised by the UN Information Service on topics such as peace, human rights and the environment as well as guided tours of the UN’s Geneva headquarters.

 “We are pleased to have signed this agreement, which strengthens our already close ties with International Geneva,” Philippe Burrin said. “As part of our mission, we will continue to work with numerous international organisations, NGOs, and multinational companies to secure Geneva’s role as one of the world’s most important centres for international cooperation,” he added.

The relationship between the Institute and the UN in Geneva has flourished under the leadership of Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, who is a regular guest and speaker at the Institute’s public events.

UN experts will continue to regularly participate in public events and courses taught at the Institute.

On 26 September, former UN Secretary General Kofi Annan will deliver the opening lecture of the academic year and join us to celebrate the opening of the Maison de la paix, the Institute’s new campus headquarters. Current UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon spoke at two events co-organised by the Institute in 2012 and 2013.

The Institute holds special observer status on the United Nation's Economic and Social Council.

View photos of the partnership signing on UNOG’s Flickr account.