Episodi

  • How Will AI Reshape the World?

    How Will AI Reshape the World?
    Oct 2 2026
    Artificial intelligence is developing at extraordinary speed, transforming the way we work, learn and communicate—and increasingly shaping politics, security and international relations. But as its capabilities grow, so too do questions about its risks, its opportunities and how it should be governed. So how worried should we be about AI? Where could it have the greatest positive impact? How might it reshape international affairs and the global balance of power? And can governments and international organisations keep pace with a technology that is evolving so rapidly? These are some of the questions we’ll explore in this episode of What Matters Today. Our guest is Jérôme Duberry, a Senior Lecturer in International and Development Studies and Head of the Tech Hub at the Geneva Graduate Institute. He also serves as Academic Advisor for the Executive Diploma in Diplomacy, Negotiation and Policy, and as a Research Fellow at the Albert Hirschman Centre on Democracy.
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    28 min
  • Ebola: Why Are We Still Struggling to Stop It?

    Ebola: Why Are We Still Struggling to Stop It?
    Sep 15 2026
    The Democratic Republic of the Congo is facing its 17th Ebola outbreak, once again putting communities and health systems under immense pressure. But this latest outbreak is unfolding in an especially challenging context — amid conflict and displacement, persistent mistrust of health authorities, and with a strain of the virus for which there is no specifically licensed vaccine. More than a decade after the devastating West African Ebola epidemic, how much better prepared are we to respond? And what does the continuing struggle to contain Ebola tell us about global health priorities, inequalities and the importance of investing in resilient health systems? Our guest for this episode is Vinh-Kim Nguyen, Director of Global Health specialisation of the MINT programme, and Professor of Anthropology and Sociology here at the Geneva Graduate Institute
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    22 min
  • Beyond the Ceasefire: Iran, the United States, and a Changing Middle East

    Beyond the Ceasefire: Iran, the United States, and a Changing Middle East
    Jun 29 2026
    The recent confrontation between Iran, the United States, and Israel has once again placed the Middle East at the centre of global attention. While a fragile ceasefire may have eased immediate tensions, fundamental questions remain about the future of the region, the balance of power, and the risk of further escalation. In this episode, we take a step back to examine the historical roots of the Iran–US rivalry, explore how the nature of conflict in the Middle East is evolving, assess the role of regional actors, and discuss what the latest developments mean for Iran, its people, and the broader geopolitical landscape. Our guest for this episode is Cyrus Schayegh, Professor of International History and Politics at the Institute and Chair of the department.
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    49 min
  • Iran, Europe, and the Economic Cost of Conflict

    Iran, Europe, and the Economic Cost of Conflict
    Jun 10 2026
    Conflict in the Middle East has implications that extend far beyond the region itself. For Europe, tensions involving Iran could affect energy markets, international trade, inflation, financial stability, and even the continent's environmental ambitions. Such a conflict could also reshape geopolitical alliances and force governments to reconsider long-standing economic and security dependencies. In this episode of What Matters Today, we explore the potential economic, political, and environmental consequences of a conflict with Iran for Europe. Our guest for this episode is Dominic Rohner, Professor of International Economics here at the Geneva Graduate Institute and a Faculty Associate at the Institute’s Centre on Conflict, Development and Peacebuilding.
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    10 min
  • The 10 Million Switzerland Debate

    The 10 Million Switzerland Debate
    Jun 1 2026
    As Switzerland prepares to vote on the so-called “No to a Switzerland with 10 million!” initiative on 14 June, questions surrounding immigration, population growth, and Switzerland’s relationship with Europe have once again come to the forefront of public debate. Supporters argue that rapid population growth is placing increasing pressure on housing, transport, and public infrastructure, while opponents warn that restricting immigration could weaken the economy and deepen labour shortages in key sectors. In this episode, we explore the economic and political implications of the debate - from the role immigration plays in Switzerland’s prosperity to the potential consequences for the country’s relationship with the European Union and the future of the bilateral agreements. Our guest is Cédric Tille, Professor of International Economics at the Geneva Graduate Institute, Head of the Bilateral Assistance and Capacity Building for Central Banks (BCC) Programme, and is a Faculty Associate at the Institute’s Centre for Finance and Development.
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    10 min
  • Le débat sur la Suisse à 10 millions

    Le débat sur la Suisse à 10 millions
    Jun 1 2026
    Alors que la Suisse s’apprête à voter, le 14 juin prochain, sur l’initiative « Pas de Suisse à 10 millions ! (initiative pour la durabilité) », les questions liées à l’immigration, à la croissance démographique et aux relations entre la Suisse et l’Europe reviennent au cœur du débat public. Les partisans de l’initiative estiment que la croissance rapide de la population exerce une pression croissante sur le logement, les transports et les infrastructures publiques, tandis que ses opposants mettent en garde contre les conséquences économiques d’une restriction de l’immigration, notamment l’aggravation des pénuries de main-d’œuvre dans des secteurs clés. Dans cet épisode en francais de “What Matters Today”, nous explorons les implications économiques et politiques de ce débat - du rôle que joue l’immigration dans la prospérité de la Suisse aux conséquences potentielles pour les relations entre la Suisse et l’Union européenne, ainsi que pour l’avenir des accords bilatéraux. Mon invité est Cédric Tille, professeur d’économie internationale au Geneva Graduate Institute, responsable du programme Bilateral Assistance and Capacity Building for Central Banks (BCC) et chercheur associé au Centre for Finance and Development de l’Institut.
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    11 min
  • Inside Iran’s Crisis: Leadership Change, Regional Conflict, and Global Energy Risks

    Inside Iran’s Crisis: Leadership Change, Regional Conflict, and Global Energy Risks
    Mar 27 2026
    The war involving Iran has entered a new and uncertain phase, with Israeli and American strikes hitting the heart of the country’s political and religious power centres. At the same time, a significant shift appears to be underway within the Islamic Republic itself. Mojtaba Khamenei - long an influential but behind-the-scenes figure - has now emerged at the centre of power, raising fundamental questions about the regime’s future. Are we witnessing continuity, or a turning point in Iran’s political system? Our guest today is Farzan Sabet, a Managing Researcher of the Sanctions and Sustainable Peace Hub which is part of the Global Governance Centre here at the Geneva Graduate Institute.
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    16 min
  • America First, Global Consequences: The New Geopolitics of Industry

    America First, Global Consequences: The New Geopolitics of Industry
    Mar 5 2026
    In this episode, we explore how the United States is rethinking its industrial strategy—from “America First” policies and supply‑chain reshoring to the global race for critical minerals. We look at whether bringing production closer to home can truly strengthen economic and national security, and how these shifts are reshaping U.S. relations with resource‑rich regions in Africa, Latin America, and Asia. We also examine how multinational firms are adapting to this new landscape and why AI infrastructure—data centers, chips, and massive energy systems—is becoming a strategic asset in its own right. Are we witnessing a profound reconfiguration of global supply chains, or the emergence of hybrid models that blend global reach with strategic domestic control? Our guest for this episode is Filipe Calvão, Associate Professor of Anthropology and Sociology at the Geneva Graduate Institute.
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    18 min