Past Events
ETH introductory seminar for newly elected
members of the Federal Parliament 2024
At the beginning of February 2024, ETH Zurich held a seminar specially designed for the newly elected members of the Swiss Federal Parliament. This event, previously known as the "Gerzensee Seminar", was organized by the Swiss School of Public Governance for the third time after 2015 and 2020 - this time at Hünigen Castle in Konolfingen. Further information on the key dates and the program can be found in the flyer (Downloadin German (PDF, 1.2 MB), Downloaden français (PDF, 1.2 MB), Downloadin italiano (PDF, 1.2 MB)).
The aim of the two-day seminar was to support the newly elected representatives in their work in parliament by providing them with background knowledge on key policy areas. To this end, there were a total of twelve presentations by renowned professors from various Swiss universities, in which scientific knowledge was imparted. The program was supplemented by an exchange of experiences with former members of the federal parliament from various political groups. The seminar also provided a platform for cross-party exchange.
You can read the article on ETH News about this year's seminar.
National Networking Event for Senior Leaders at Swiss Higher Education Institutions
On 22 November 2024, the Swiss School of Public Governance (SSPG) brought together over 100 higher education leaders at ETH Zurich for the National Networking Event. The focus was on the results of the SSPG study on general management competences in Swiss higher education leadership, which highlighted key trends, competence gaps and strategic challenges such as resource scarcity, digital transformation and sustainability (for more information: https://sspg.ethz.ch/research.html).
Through a panel discussion and thematic focus groups, senior representatives from all types of higher education institutions explored practical solutions and emphasised the importance of diversity, leadership development and innovative governance models for resilient university leadership.
Gerzensee Seminar
In 2015, ETH Zurich held an introductory seminar for newly elected federal parliamentarians for the first time. In January 2020, this event took place for a second time, with support of the SSPG, at the Study Center Gerzensee (BE) of the Swiss National Bank. The aim of the event is twofold: to disseminate essential background knowledge in different policy areas and to promote non-partisan networks. For more information, please refer to the article on ETH News Website.
SSPG opening speech at the UN Day 2020
On 24 October 2020, SSPG Director Professor Ambühl held an opening speech at the UN Day 2020. This event was organised by the Swiss-UN Society to celebrate the UN’s 75th anniversary and discuss the role of Switzerland in the UN, with a focus on Switzerland’s candidacy to the UN Security Council for the period 2023-2023. In his speech, Professor Ambühl highlighted the ideas and milestones that contributed to the creation of the UN, while emphasising Swiss contributions to ongoing UN reform processes.
Keynote speakers at this event included former Federal Councilor Joseph Deiss, former Director-General of the United Nations Office at Geneva Michael Møller as well as the Head of the Permanent Mission of Switzerland to the United Nations in New York Pascale Baeriswyl.
Swiss Governance: A Mini-Seminar for New ETH Professors
ETH offers a half-day orientation seminar for newly hired professors to introduce them to Switzerland and its history, political institutions, culture, economy, and higher education landscape. The seminar is taught by Professor Michael Ambühl, ETH Professor of Negotiation and Conflict Management and former State Secretary in the Swiss Foreign Ministry and Finance Ministry.
Good Governance and its Application to Modern Technology Policies
A Summer School for Swiss and International Students that took place from 3 to 10 September 2016 in Magliaso, Switzerland.