EVENTS
As the new semester kicks off, we are excited to see everyone again at our numerous events this semester. We are dedicated to create the spaces for you to enjoy your time at the institute and in Geneva. Please reach out to us if you want to organize an event together.
Visit this page to find the newest updates about the Conference on Zionism: History, Ideology, and its Manifestations happening on the 28th of November 2024.
On our Events Calendar you can easily get a overwiew of all events in and around Geneva related to the MENA region.
Upcoming Events:
Date: 28 November 2024
Time: 12:00 – 21:00
Location: Ivan Pictet Auditorium (A1)
Our big event in the coming semester, the Conference on Zionism: History, Ideology, and its Manifestations. Don’t miss this chance to hear speakers like Ilan Pappé, Hagar Kotef, Nur Masalha and many more!
War in Sudan:
Addressing one of the World’s Largest Humanitarian CatastrophES
Date: 17 December 2024
Time: 18:30 – 20:00 (followed by an Apéro)
Location: A2 (Maison de la Paix)
Did you know that the war in Sudan is currently one of the biggest humanitarian crises
worldwide? In this panel discussion, experts on the subject will explain everything
you need to know, leaving you with an in-depth understanding on this war.
Speakers:
- Kenneth Lavelle
Médecins Sans Frontières, Director of Operations in Geneva - Roland Marchal
Sciences Po Paris Professor, specialised in civil wars in sub-Saharan Africa.
- Kenneth Lavelle
Moderator:
- Hisham Taha
Director of the Centre for Humanitarian and Development Excellence (CHDE)
- Hisham Taha
Past Events:
MENA - Apéro
Date: 25 September 2024
Time: 17:00 – 20:00
Location: Jardin Botanique
Our first get-together in the new semester to welcome new students to the Institute will be in Jardin Botanique, right behind the institute. We will share a bit about who we are and what we do. You will have the opportunity to join the Initiative or to come just to make new friends!
We will provide snacks, sweets, drinks, and good vibes (as you always find in our countries!).
Discussion: Social Movements, Boycotts, Sanctions and Decolonial Action
Date: 03 October 2024
Time: 18:00 – 20:00
Location: FAB
As students of the Geneva Graduate Institute, we have a crucial role to play in shaping the politics of our Institute, Geneva and Switzerland as a whole. We will have a discussion in the FAB together with the Decolonial Action Network (DAN) to inform incoming students about how they can become politically active within the institute, in their personal lives, and beyond. It will also be a space to learn about the importance and effects of sanctions and a chance to learn from experts about how to enact change.
Speakers will be PhD students whose research is focused on these interrelated topics.
UN Visit with the Team of UN Special Rapporteur On the Right to Food
Date: 04 October 2024
Time: 11:00 – 15:00
Location: Place des Nations (broken chair)
You want to learn more about the impact, successes and challenges of working for the mandate on the Right to Food in the MENA region? Then sign up for this event!
First we will have a guided tour of the UN followed by a presentation from Lilit Nikoghosyan, a Human Rights Officer in the Special Procedures Branch at the OHCHR and the Assistant of Michael Fakhri, UN Special Rapporteur on the Right to Food. The discussion will tackle the challenges this mandate faces with emphasis on the current unfathomable situation in Palestine and the broader food insecurity and crisis across the MENA region.
This event is limited to 15 people max. Registration will be opened soon.
Bake Sale for Palestine
Date: 09 October 2024
Time: 12:00 – 15:00
Location: Petal 2, Maison de la Paix
Following up on our successful Bake Sale in the last semester (19 March) where we collected over 2’000 CHF for the children who are victims of the ongoing genocide in Palestine. Once again, the money that we will raise will go to the charity Children’s Right for Healthcare. Their aim is to fly Palestinian children, most of whom are seriously injured as a result of the bombardments, to Geneva for medical treatment.
We’re counting on other initiatives and individuals to bake for this event and to provide their cakes, brownies and cookies to the stand. They can also reach out to us to help with selling the pastries.
MENA Rights Group - CEDAW Review
Date: 09 October 2024
Time: 16:00 – 20:00
Location: S8 (Maison de la Paix)
Over the past few years, Saudi Arabia has introduced numerous reforms aimed at promoting women’s rights in the country, such as lifting the driving ban on women and amending the male guardianship system. These advancements are being portrayed as a postive step before the international community and have been at the center of Saudi Arabia’s efforts to improve the kingdom’s imagefollowing the murder of the Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi in 2018.
This event will be held on the sidelines of Saudi Arabia’s review by the CEDAW. It will bring together Saudi women human rights defenders who will discuss the situation of women’s rights in their country and in the MENA region more broadly. The discussion will highlight the importance of advancing women’s rights in Saudi Arabia and the inscreasing crackdown on women who attempt to do that. It will also touch upon the crucial role played by international foras, such as the review of Saudi Arabia by the CEDAW, to exert pressure on the authorities and press for change within the country.
Speakers:
- Lina al-Hathloul
- Khulud Al Harthi
- Dana Ahmed
- Myriam Al Dossari
MENA Board Game Night
Date: 25 October 2024
Time: 18:00 – 22:00
Location: PCR
Board games are fun. However, not many games originating from the MENA region are known outside of their respective country. We want to change this! We will introduce games from Syria, Morocco, Lebanon and many more while having a fun night together.
Feel free to bring your favourite game from your home country and play it with us! This is also a great way to make new friends and connect with people with similar interests.