Initiated by GESDA Foundation
Geneva Science Diplomacy Week
5-9 May, 2025
Anticipatory leadership for a world accelerated by science and technology
Imagine a world where all decision-makers, business leaders, researchers and citizens are empowered to harness the benefits of science and technology for all. Join the Geneva Science Diplomacy Week to make this happen for your country, your field, your organization and yourself!
Applications are now open for the fourth edition of the Geneva Science Diplomacy Week, to be held from 5-9 May 2025 in Geneva, Switzerland.
This transformative program offers an immersive learning and networking experience at the heart of the science and diplomacy ecosystem of International Geneva.
Learn about the latest insights on science anticipation from the GESDA Science Breakthrough Radar.
Discuss what they mean from a diplomatic, geopolitical, and societal standpoint.
Engage with key technology leaders and members of international organizations, diplomatic missions, and NGOs.
Gain the knowledge, skills, and mindsets needed to maximize opportunities not just for yourself, but as a champion for your region or institution.
Access the network and resources of the Global Curriculum for Anticipatory Leadership.
NEW! Anticipatory Leadership Training Champions track
For the 2025 edition, held under the theme “Anticipatory leadership for a world accelerated by science and technology,’ we are excited to introduce a new ‘Anticipatory Leadership Training Champions’ track for academic institutions, international organizations, public sector, corporates or non-profits to adopt the Global Curriculum for Anticipatory Leadership (GCAL), integrate content, tools and methodologies, and adapt it to local and audience needs across the globe.
Join the Geneva Science Diplomacy Week if you want to …
- Understand the growing importance of anticipatory science diplomacy as an emerging discipline that bridges science and world affairs.
- Learn about the most significant anticipated science breakthroughs in five, 10, and 25 years and their impact on people, society and the planet leveraging the GESDA Science Breakthrough Radar.
- Acquire leadership skills, tools and mindsets to anticipate and act on the acceleration of science for the benefit of humanity.
- Gain access to exclusive content, resources, and methodologies for integrating the Anticipatory Leadership Training Framework in your own context.
- Learn to apply cutting-edge science-aided methods to diplomatic practices for improving negotiation processes, international conflict resolution and global governance.
- Participate in “Anticipatory Leadership Labs” with simulations and scenarios with science, policy, business and citizen leaders from around the world to and explore the evolution of multilateralism
- Get an insider’s view of International Geneva as the global hub of science and diplomacy for multilateralism and network with key figures from global agencies, academia, business and NGOs.
- Join a vibrant alumni network and global community of anticipatory leaders and change-makers and exchange best practices to prepare for a future accelerated by science and technology.
Who is it
aimed at?
The Geneva Science Diplomacy Week brings together leaders from the diplomatic and scientific communities, industry, NGOs and civil society to foster a common understanding of each other’s perspectives and empower them with the knowledge, tools, mindsets and networks to maximize the benefits of emerging science for all humanity.
Applications are invited from across all four GESDA communities — academic, diplomacy, impact, and citizens — and by those who are passionate about shaping the future of science and diplomacy in their respective regions, institutions, or sectors and want to design and deliver contextually relevant training to better prepare for a future accelerated by science and technology. This includes lead faculty, program designers, human resources professionals and educators just as leaders who seek to set the tone for their organizations.
Who are the GESDA Communities?
| Academic | Leading researchers, universities, publishers, science and technology networks, national and international funding agencies |
| Diplomacy | States, international and regional organizations, politicians, diplomats, chief science officers, political think-tanks |
| Impact | Philanthropic organizations, businesses, incubators and accelerators, deep-tech start-ups, venture capital funds, financial services firms, business platforms, multinationals |
| Citizens | Individual citizens, media, artists, cities, global decentralized networks, NGOs |
Cost
3’400 CHF per participant
Includes:
- Tuition, all lectures, workshops and materials
- Exclusive guided tour of the United Nations Headquarters in Geneva (UNOG)
- Six nights hotel accommodation in central Geneva including breakfast (arrival Sunday May 4 – departure Saturday May 10)
- Welcome reception, Lake Geneva cruise, scheduled meals and all social activities
- Local transportation
- Welcome package
- Train-the-trainers materials package
- Official GESDA & UNITAR certificate of participation
Not included: airfare/transport to and from Geneva, non-scheduled meals and extras. GESDA provides scholarships on a case-by-case basis to applicants from low- and middle-income countries to ensure global diversity and inclusivity. More information is on the application form.
FAQ
Program Content
- Interactive workshops, simulation exercises and negotiations based on GESDA’s Science Breakthrough Radar® and anticipatory “Situation Room” methodology on topics ranging from carbon capture and climate-altering technologies, to neuro rights, gene-editing, AI and quantum technologies.
- Expert dialogues, institutional visits and receptions with International Geneva institutions on anticipatory science and diplomacy topics.
- Public activities and events to stimulate engagement and reflection outside the disciplinary expert circles.
- Private visits to key institutions and high-level networking opportunities with Geneva, Swiss and International actors.
- Dedicated ‘Train-the-Trainers’ track
Participant Profiles
Priority will be given to applicants with strategic or direct responsibility for training and capacity building in the above sectors:
- University leadership, faculty and administrators
- Directors of diplomatic academies and other government training divisions
- Directors of business schools
- Heads of training programs for UN agencies and other international organizations
- Experts in instructional design and experiential learning
- Foresight and futures literacy experts
- Chief strategists and human resources professionals
As all participants in the program are experts in their own fields, they will simultaneously act as trainees and trainers with ample opportunities for peer exchange, mutual learning and expert input.
What is Anticipatory Leadership?
Anticipatory Leadership involves:
- The ability to detect emerging science and technology breakthroughs early-on.
- The understanding of their potential diplomatic, societal, political, economic, planetary and security implications.
- The capacity to proactively drive decisions and concerted action with the legitimate actors from all communities (scientific, diplomatic, business and citizens) to harness the opportunities of emerging science for the benefit of people and the planet, and to address global challenges.
Program Partners
Initiated and facilitated by GESDA, the Geneva Science Diplomacy Week brings together new and existing training and capacity-building offerings of world-leading program partners. Please visit the dedicated websites of the coalition partners and participating institutions for more information:
CERN – European Organisation for Nuclear Research https://home.cern/
Geneva Center for Security Policy https://www.gcsp.ch/
Geneva Science Diplomacy Anticipator Foundation (GESDA) https://gesda.global/
Geneva Science Policy Interface https://gspi.ch/
The International Network for Government Science Advice (INGSA) https://www.ingsa.org/
Inter-Parliamentary Union https://www.ipu.org/
Science in Diplomacy Lab (ETHZ-UNIGE)
United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR) https://unitar.org/
*more partners to be announced
Visas
All nationalities are welcome to apply. Invitation letters to accompany visa requests to travel to Switzerland will be issued by GESDA to selected participants upon request.
Questions?
Please write to:
sdweek@gesda.global