Our Mission

Promote environmental protection and sustainable development at the Institute.

The Environmental Committee was founded in 2010 as the students’ environmental association with the aim to foster dialogue, and inspire positive change both at the Institute and in international Geneva. We organize debates, panel talks, excursions, film screenings and other events that raise awareness about environmental issues and provide opportunities for constructive dialogue and networking.

The Environmental Committee has been engaging students in numerous activities since its inception in 2010. Our actions are oriented towards three pillars: Sustainable Events, Sustainable Institute and Sustainable Curricula.

Website

Podcast

Instagram

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Raise awareness and sensitize students, the administration, staff and faculty within the institute about environmental and sustainable development issues.

Board

The 2024 Leadership of the Environmental Committee includes:

President: Varun Vithalani

Head of Podcast: Bokyong Mun

Vice President: Arghadeep Das

Directors of Communications: Leila Joutet and Shubhika Tagore

Directors of Events: Alexa Popescu and Luana Leal

Director of Sustainability Week: Ruiling Zhang

Treasurer: Shaim Mahir

Representatives for the Target Initiative on Sustainability: Wangchok Namgail & (TBC)

- Committee Positions -

Project Lead for Events: Vani Sharma

Project Leads for Sustainability Week: Mitsuki Ishii and Victoria Ceretti

Facebook

Promote healthy, environmentally-friendly and sustainable policies within the Institute through different initiatives and events.

Our actions are oriented towards three pillars: Sustainable Events, Sustainable Institute and Sustainable Curricula.

Sustainable events: The Environmental Committee has been engaging students in numerous activities such as participating in Sustainability Week, Geneva Peace Week and more. The EC offers incoming students welcome activities in Geneva, for example an organic wine tasting tour or a sustainable city walking tour. Over the years, a wide range of international experts and leaders in the environmental field have participated in EC events.
Sustainable Institute: We work for a greener campus together with the administration, the city of Geneva and the cafeteria services. Our projects include improved recycling, the installation of proper bicycle racks, and continuous dialogue with the cafeteria to accommodate sustainability standards, i.e. proper food waste management and eco-friendly menus.
Sustainable curriculum: The Environmental Committee (EC) at the Graduate Institute of International and Development Studies (IHEID) is committed to making sustainability a greater focus in the curricula of Masters programmes and individual courses. We are working collaboratively with professors, academic directors, and the Center for International Environmental Studies to incorporate sustainability into existing courses. Climate change and other environmental challenges pose a serious threat to future generations. We believe that students need a strong foundation in sustainability concepts and theories to be effective leaders in the 21st century.

Our Projects

Some of our actual projects are The Ecologist Podcast, SCOOP an organic student food cooperative, Save The Food to fight food waste and redistribute leftovers from the campus cafeteria and the Recycling Library collecting printed articles for re-use. We are also involved in the Target initiative focused on sustainability within the institute as well as co-organizing Sustainability Week Geneva and the Geneva Peace Week annually to bridge international and local environmental issues.

Furthermore, we organize many events including outdoor activities, panel discussions and environmental activism. These events are regularly communicated through our social media channels and GISA updates so stay tuned and subscribe to our newsletter!

Curious? Do you have any projects or ideas? Send us a message and feel welcomed to join the Green Dream Team!