What did you study before coming to the Institute?
I studied international relations at Al Akhawayn University, an anglophone liberal arts university in Morocco, where I am originally from. I also had several international experiences, on an exchange in Hong Kong and also in Argentina for an internship at the end of my studies.
Before coming to the Institute, I worked as an advisor to the minister delegate at the Moroccan Ministry of Foreign Affairs for about three years. That allowed me to develop several skills that enriched my experience at the Institute.
Why did you decide to come and study at the Institute and in Geneva?
After a few years at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, I decided it was time to return to school to enhance my competencies and complete my training. After being admitted to several schools, including the Hertie School in Berlin, Germany, and Johns Hopkins in the US, I opted for the Graduate Institute because of its interdisciplinary approach, the quality of its teaching and its links to international organisations in Geneva, as well as its financial aid packages.
Coming to Geneva, the “diplomatic Mecca”, was preferable because of the large concentration of international organisations, its position within Europe and the opportunities that are offered here. In addition, Geneva has an unparalleled quality of life as a cosmopolitan city.
What have you enjoyed, specifically, this year at the Institute?
What I really enjoyed about my first year was the feeling that I belonged to a community and the solidarity implicated by that sensation. I had the chance to meet a number of people from the Institute’s community and benefited from their advice whenever I needed it. Moreover, the Institute’s reputation is such that being associated with this institution opens many doors.
Although there were several constraints in place because of the COVID-19 pandemic, the teaching was still exceptional and the professors were always ready to help students with their research projects. Finally, the Institute has developed a real ecosystem at the heart of the Maison de la paix, regrouping professors, research centres and different institutions working towards peace and development. Because of this, students can benefit from an exceptional density of expertise.
What are some of your professional projects?
I am greatly interested in questions of migration, climate change, peace and human rights. Ideally, I would like to contribute to a better understanding of the interactions between these challenges and propose solutions to respond to them.