MIRD students engage with high-level diplomacy during Geneva study trip
Eduaction
From 26 to 28 May, second-year students of the Advanced MSc International Relations and Diplomacy (MIRD) participated in the programme's annual visit to Geneva, Switzerland.
The three-day trip offered students a firsthand experience through visits to key international institutions and organisations working across the domains of diplomacy, development, trade, security, and global governance.
Engaging with global cooperation in health and security
Geneva, long recognised as one of the epicenters of multilateral diplomacy, provided the backdrop for rich encounters with practitioners and policy experts. As soon as they arrived, students visited the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Geneva Centre for Security Policy (GCSP), where discussions ranged from pandemic governance to European security strategies. These sessions offered insight into both the technical and political dimensions of global cooperation. Later that afternoon, students visited the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) to explore the architecture of international aid and the operational challenges of humanitarian response on a global scale. After this strenuous day, the group relaxed by the lake and enjoyed a traditional Swiss fondue.
Interacting with multilateral institutions
The second day began with a visit to the prestigious Palais des Nations, where students met with representatives from the Internet Governance Forum (IGF), UNCTAD, and the Diplo Foundation. Presentations addressed the complexities of digital cooperation and inclusive governance in the information age. In the afternoon, students split into two groups: one visited the World Trade Organization (WTO) to discuss the evolution of global trade rules, while the other engaged with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), gaining exposure to field-based work in conflict-affected states and sustainable development challenges.
Innovation, property, and development
On the final day, the group began at the World Bank, where they explored how financial tools intersect with global development goals. This was followed by a session at the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), where students were introduced to international frameworks that govern innovation and intellectual property rights. These concluding sessions brought attention to the linkages between knowledge governance, economic development, and global justice.
A wrap for the second-years
Reflecting on the trip, second-year student Diego Takahashi tells us: ‘It was a privilege to visit such high-level institutions, learn about their work behind the curtains and even network within their quarters. Together with multiple meetings that enlarged our perspectives from international organisations, the trip also allowed us to have a last moment of celebration with our peers and quickly enjoy the city!’
MSc International Relations and Diplomacy
The two-year Advanced MSc International Relations and Diplomacy (MIRD) programme offers students a unique blend of academic education in international relations and political science with practical graduate education and training in international negotiation and diplomacy. Students attend a wide range of courses, develop their analytical and research skills, take on an internship, write their master’s thesis, and build network with experts in relevant fields. Upon graduation students are prepared to take on positions in international organisations, politics, and diplomacy; or for PhD research.