Reasons to join GSD

The Strategic Position of Geneva

Geneva is perfectly located in the heart of Europe: Less than six hours of driving, or less than a one-hour flight, takes you to the South of France, Paris, Munich in southern Germany, or Northern Italy.

To study in Switzerland is to study in possibly the world’s most beautiful country. Mountains, lakes, pastures, clean and beautiful towns – Switzerland is famous for its extraordinarily beautiful scenery and has been voted Number 1 for the second year running on the World Economic Forum’s Travel and Tourism Competitiveness report.

Geneva - World Capital of Diplomacy

Today’s global environment is rapidly changing. The main goal of international cooperation is to facilitate the mobility of persons and resources between different countries, the figure of the diplomat, has more than ever, a strategic role because he represents the bridge of the dialogue with other cultures, through which to promote the mutual relations and pacifically solve probable controversies. Moreover, the recent financial crisis presented the risk of speculative bubbles, of instability and divergence of competitiveness. In fact, an expert in international relations must have economic sensibility as well as managerial skills, in order to identify potential risks and benefits of any initiative. Negotiations is more than ever at the center of diplomacy, to face matters of planetary interest, like security issues and crisis management, climate change and the energetic efficiency and also incorporating international aid organizations.

Careers, in future, will be increasingly flexible. Many of our graduates will pursue careers in more than one area: public, private and not-for-profit. For this future world, already upon us, our graduates need skills in management, analysis and advocacy.

All GSD graduates have been taught to hone these three skills:

• Firstly, public policies require choice between scarce resources. Public servants must be highly competent managers. Our teaching of management skills is second to none. Senior public and private servants must use limited resources strategically and wisely. The GSD graduate has been prepared for this. 
• Secondly, good analysis is essential to good leadership and good governance. The GSD student is taught to refine analytical skills, to analyse accurately and to bring to bear those skills on vital issues. From, for example, issues of war and peace, to issues of public transportation, to international business decisions, and a whole host of other issues. 
• Thirdly, effective senior public or private executives need to be good advocates - articulating vision, arguing for that perspective and building political consensus toward that vision. This process requires people-skills and the ability to communicate. At GSD we teach how all these skills can be honed and refined.