Christian Fernández Dávila, currently studying in the MINT within that specialisation, recently participated as an observer at the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change’s (UNFCCC) Santiago Network Meeting which took place in Geneva from 2 to 4 September 2025.

Christian, who has a background in climate negotiations, found the meeting to be a great opportunity that aligned with personal interests and his current studies at the Institute and allowed him to prepare a report on the meeting to be shared with colleagues and classmates. 

Christian shares a few insights on this with us:

After having participated in the UNFCCC Meeting, could you discuss further why exploring opportunities such as that one helps support your interests and studies in relation to the E&S Specialisation?

I think one of the most predictable but important reasons is the opportunity to bridge the gap between theory and practice, which, in International Geneva, specifically translates to the practice of diplomacy most of the time.

While the E&S specialisation provides critical frameworks, such as political economy and environmental justice, being inside the negotiation rooms brings these concepts to life. It reveals dynamics that may not be explicitly mentioned in a text, but are undeniably present in the room, adding a real-world dimension and high stakes to what we study in class.

And also, it provides the opportunity to keep ourselves at the frontier of the discussions and positions in the field. It allows to engage with the dynamic evolution of global environmental governance as it happens. Witnessing the progress of the Santiago Network’s operationalisation, for instance, helped me move beyond theoretical knowledge to see where the real gaps lie, allowing me to better target my actions toward areas where I can make a tangible impact.

What have been some key takeaways from the programme this semester and what have you enjoyed learning or would like to learn more about?

A key takeaway has been the concept of “ontological differences.” Since environmental issues are inherently political, we often find that stakeholders aren't just arguing about policies, but are operating from fundamentally different understandings of reality. Learning to navigate these worldviews with diplomatic consideration is a crucial skill for the long dialogues required to navigate these complex divergences.

I have also truly enjoyed the genuine interdisciplinarity of the programme. It is the norm here; professors guide discussions not by staying within a single academic silo, but by focusing on the issue itself, whether it is extractivism, environmental conflicts, or climate change and drawing insights from every relevant field.

Looking forward, I view this semester as a vital transition. Being here allows students to frame our studies within a unique diplomatic context, grounding our academic work in the realities of International Geneva. I am eager to apply this newly gained lens to the challenges in my upcoming semesters and professional endeavors.

At the Institute we encourage students to seek out partner centres. Have you explored any organisations that have sustainability initiatives, such as the Hoffman Centre for Global Sustainability?

Absolutely. For me, the vibrant community of student initiatives has been the gateway to collaborating with the Institute's partners.

In terms of sustainability, my involvement with the Environmental Committee allowed me to engage directly with the Hoffman Centre, as well as with external organisations like the World Meteorological Organization (WMO), the Youth Negotiators Academy and ScienceEscape.

But the reach extends even further. Through the Latin American Network Initiative (LANI), I had the opportunity to connect with cultural partners like Filmar Film Festival and Los Conjurados. And for the upcoming LANI Congress, we are working to broaden our scope even more. We are currently reaching out to actors across politics, advocacy and international governance, both within and outside Geneva.

This variety, spanning from high-level science to diverse political and cultural spheres, is what makes the partner community here feel alive and accessible.

In your report you discuss the evolving role of observers, how do you view this in external engagements and in the classroom when it comes to discussing Environment and Sustainability?

I see the role of the observer evolving from a passive spectator to an active presence that challenges unequal power dynamics. In such high-level settings, observers are not invisible. Even without a vote, their physical presence, when representing youth and historically marginalised stakeholders, changes the setting. It signals who has access to the table and ensures that diverse views are physically part of the room.

This is where the Institute’s academic environment becomes invaluable. The classroom becomes a space to test and dissect newly gained perceptions. We can analyse the dynamics we witnessed “in the wild” within a rigorous academic environment, allowing us to refine our thoughts and perhaps better define our future professional paths.