Training leaders is the key to the future

Geneva has established itself over the decades as a pillar of multilateralism. Today, while the world is facing global crises that intersect (“polycrims”), our societies are confronted with unpublished challenges to preserve human peace, cooperation and dignity. In this context, multilateralism is more scrutinized and questioned.

In September 2024, the summit of the future marked a turning point. World leaders have signed the Pact for the future, a symbol of a desire to renew international cooperation. To meet current issues and build a peaceful future, it becomes imperative to rethink multilateralism. This transformation requires courage, a keen sense of responsibility and a collective commitment.

In this dynamic, June 20, 2025, The Federal Council allocated 269 million francs to International Geneva, thus reaffirming the central place of Geneva in foreign policy and global governance. To this commitment is added the investment of the DFAE, which has devoted nearly 2 billion francs to strengthen Geneva over the past four years.

However, financial and political support, although crucial, cannot suffice. Reinventing multilateralism requires active mobilization of multiple actors. As Edward Freeman reminds us, “The best way to criticize is to offer better”. This implies creativity, collective intelligence, communication and confidence to move forward together.

Geneva: an exceptional educational ecosystem

Geneva is also distinguished by its exceptional educational ecosystem, bringing together international renowned institutions and agencies. This network contributes to the global influence of the city and the canton. Education, an engine for transforming mentalities, is today recognized as essential. The recent OECD report “Trends in adult learning, 2025” stresses that education nourishes hope, action and the possibility of a more stable and lasting future.

Training the leaders of tomorrow is not limited to transmitting technical skills. Above all, it is a question of cultivating human qualities: sense of responsibility, ability to inspire, vision, commitment to the service of society. Can we shape leaders? Education and the environment play a key role, but it is above all a question of supporting, revealing and strengthening potentials. Educational establishments and actors of multilateralism thus have the responsibility to create the conditions so that ethical, committed and visionary leaders emerge, capable of carrying the values of a renewed multilateralism.

It is by combining investment, innovation and training that Geneva will continue to embody a living laboratory of multilateralism and collective hope.

IVàn Ureta, Director of Continuing Training at the GCSP (Center for Geneva Security Policy)

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