Empowering Global Leaders in the Public Sector at ETH Zurich Swiss School of Public Governance
In a world where governance challenges are increasingly complex and interconnected, effective leadership in public sector management is critical. The CAS in Public Governance and Administration (CAS PGA) equips emerging leaders from around the world with the skills, knowledge, and networks to drive positive change in the public sector.
The CAS PGA class of 2024 represents the essence of this mission, bringing together 19 professionals from 11 countries to address key governance issues, with a particular focus on sustainable development.
The CAS PGA is structured around three key learning objectives: mastering the complexity of governance, developing a global perspective, and making a personal impact. These objectives are integrated into the programme's curriculum, which includes a combination of intensive seminars, group projects and real-world applications. The diverse professional and cultural backgrounds of the students—from government officials to international organisation leaders—enriched the discussions and fostered a dynamic learning environment.
This year, the programme's content was deeply aligned with the UN's Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), a set of global goals to promote prosperity while protecting the planet. The 2024 cohort kicked off their learning with the SDGs 2030 Game, an innovative multiplayer simulation that challenges students to navigate the complexities of creating a sustainable future by 2030. In this interactive game, students engage with the SDGs in a hands-on way, fostering not only a deeper understanding of the global goals, but also a personal sense of responsibility and empowerment.
One of the highlights of the CAS PGA 2024 was the group projects, in which students applied their knowledge to real-world challenges. The diversity of project topics reflected the global focus of the programme, with teams tackling issues such as transforming primary education in remote areas of Peru, promoting sustainable urban planning in Barcelona, and addressing food security through climate-smart agriculture in Kenya.
During the 15-day intensive course at ETH Zurich, students were taught by an outstanding faculty of leading academics and professionals. In addition to the seminars given by faculty of Swiss higher education institutions, the course featured guest lectures from distinguished professionals such as Andres Sutt (Member of the Estonian Parliament and former Minister of Entrepreneurship and Information Technology), Ambassador Patricia Danzi (Director General of the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation), Ambassador Benedikt Wechsler (Head of the Digital Division, Swiss Federal Department of Foreign Affairs), and Michel M. Liès (Chairman of Zurich Insurance).
Beyond the classroom, the CAS PGA offered students a unique opportunity to experience Switzerland and its governance system first-hand through a guided city tour of Zurich and an excursion to the capital city including a visit to the Swiss parliament.
As the class of 2024 is working on their CAS theses, they will take with them not only the academic knowledge, but also the personal connections and global perspective they gained during the programme. The true success of the CAS PGA is measured by its impact—specifically, how these leaders apply their knowledge to enhance governance in their home countries.
The CAS PGA is not just a program; it’s a global platform for collaboration, learning, and leadership. Whether dealing with the challenges of climate change, digital transformation, or public health, the students leave equipped to make a meaningful impact on the future of public governance.