Épisodes

  • The 10 Million Switzerland Debate

    The 10 Million Switzerland Debate
    Jun 1 2026
    As Switzerland prepares to vote on the so-called “No to a Switzerland with 10 million!” initiative on 14 June, questions surrounding immigration, population growth, and Switzerland’s relationship with Europe have once again come to the forefront of public debate. Supporters argue that rapid population growth is placing increasing pressure on housing, transport, and public infrastructure, while opponents warn that restricting immigration could weaken the economy and deepen labour shortages in key sectors. In this episode, we explore the economic and political implications of the debate - from the role immigration plays in Switzerland’s prosperity to the potential consequences for the country’s relationship with the European Union and the future of the bilateral agreements. Our guest is Cédric Tille, Professor of International Economics at the Geneva Graduate Institute, Head of the Bilateral Assistance and Capacity Building for Central Banks (BCC) Programme, and is a Faculty Associate at the Institute’s Centre for Finance and Development.
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    10 min
  • Le débat sur la Suisse à 10 millions

    Le débat sur la Suisse à 10 millions
    Jun 1 2026
    Alors que la Suisse s’apprête à voter, le 14 juin prochain, sur l’initiative « Pas de Suisse à 10 millions ! (initiative pour la durabilité) », les questions liées à l’immigration, à la croissance démographique et aux relations entre la Suisse et l’Europe reviennent au cœur du débat public. Les partisans de l’initiative estiment que la croissance rapide de la population exerce une pression croissante sur le logement, les transports et les infrastructures publiques, tandis que ses opposants mettent en garde contre les conséquences économiques d’une restriction de l’immigration, notamment l’aggravation des pénuries de main-d’œuvre dans des secteurs clés. Dans cet épisode en francais de “What Matters Today”, nous explorons les implications économiques et politiques de ce débat - du rôle que joue l’immigration dans la prospérité de la Suisse aux conséquences potentielles pour les relations entre la Suisse et l’Union européenne, ainsi que pour l’avenir des accords bilatéraux. Mon invité est Cédric Tille, professeur d’économie internationale au Geneva Graduate Institute, responsable du programme Bilateral Assistance and Capacity Building for Central Banks (BCC) et chercheur associé au Centre for Finance and Development de l’Institut.
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    11 min
  • Inside Iran’s Crisis: Leadership Change, Regional Conflict, and Global Energy Risks

    Inside Iran’s Crisis: Leadership Change, Regional Conflict, and Global Energy Risks
    Mar 27 2026
    The war involving Iran has entered a new and uncertain phase, with Israeli and American strikes hitting the heart of the country’s political and religious power centres. At the same time, a significant shift appears to be underway within the Islamic Republic itself. Mojtaba Khamenei - long an influential but behind-the-scenes figure - has now emerged at the centre of power, raising fundamental questions about the regime’s future. Are we witnessing continuity, or a turning point in Iran’s political system? Our guest today is Farzan Sabet, a Managing Researcher of the Sanctions and Sustainable Peace Hub which is part of the Global Governance Centre here at the Geneva Graduate Institute.
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    16 min
  • America First, Global Consequences: The New Geopolitics of Industry

    America First, Global Consequences: The New Geopolitics of Industry
    Mar 5 2026
    In this episode, we explore how the United States is rethinking its industrial strategy—from “America First” policies and supply‑chain reshoring to the global race for critical minerals. We look at whether bringing production closer to home can truly strengthen economic and national security, and how these shifts are reshaping U.S. relations with resource‑rich regions in Africa, Latin America, and Asia. We also examine how multinational firms are adapting to this new landscape and why AI infrastructure—data centers, chips, and massive energy systems—is becoming a strategic asset in its own right. Are we witnessing a profound reconfiguration of global supply chains, or the emergence of hybrid models that blend global reach with strategic domestic control? Our guest for this episode is Filipe Calvão, Associate Professor of Anthropology and Sociology at the Geneva Graduate Institute.
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    18 min
  • Power, Policing, and Borders: Rethinking ICE in an International Law Perspective

    Power, Policing, and Borders: Rethinking ICE in an International Law Perspective
    Feb 19 2026
    In the wake of the protests that erupted in Minneapolis, national and international conversations have intensified around the nature of state power, policing, and the institutions responsible for enforcing migration policies in the United States. Today, we turn our attention to the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency, also known as ICE, to explore the circumstances of its creation in 2003 and how its practices have evolved over the past two decades. We’ll also examine how recent allegations surrounding ICE’s treatment of migrants might be understood through the lens of international law and human rights obligations. Our guest today is Vincent Chetail, Professor of International Law and Director of the Global Migration Centre at the Geneva Graduate Institute.
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    17 min
  • Inside Iran’s Unrest: Politics, Economy, and the Road Ahead

    Inside Iran’s Unrest: Politics, Economy, and the Road Ahead
    Jan 19 2026
    Today we turn our focus to Iran at a moment of intense uncertainty. Over the past year, the country has witnessed another major wave of protests—driven by deep social grievances, political frustration, and an economic situation that continues to deteriorate. The government’s response has been marked by severe repression, while regional tensions and new international sanctions have heightened pressure on the Islamic Republic. In today’s conversation, we’ll take a closer look at what’s happening inside Iran: the roots of the current uprising, the role of the political leadership, the impact of the economic crisis, and the landscape of opposition figures abroad. We’ll also explore how the regime’s crackdown fits into its broader survival strategy, and what Iran’s trajectory might look like in the months ahead. Our guest is Clément Therme, an alumnus of the Geneva Graduate Institute and a lecturer at the University of Montpellier.
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    26 min
  • The Venezuela Precedent: Power, Law, and Global Order

    The Venezuela Precedent: Power, Law, and Global Order
    Jan 14 2026
    The recent US attack on Venezuela and the capture of President Nicolás Maduro have sent shockwaves across the global stage. For many observers, the operation represents a clear breach of international law — raising fundamental questions about state sovereignty, the use of force, and the immunity traditionally granted to sitting heads of state. So what does this case mean for international law, for global stability, and for the future credibility of multilateral institutions? That’s what we’ll explore in today’s conversation. Our guest is Professor Nico Krisch, Professor of International Law, and Head of the International Law Department at the Geneva Graduate Institute.
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    19 min
  • Beyond the Vote: New Forms of Youth Political Engagement Worldwide

    Beyond the Vote: New Forms of Youth Political Engagement Worldwide
    Dec 8 2025
    Young people are often portrayed as politically disengaged, accused of turning their backs on voting and traditional politics. But is that really the full story? Recent waves of youth-led mobilisations—from climate marches to social justice movements—suggest something very different. So, how do we explain this apparent paradox? Are young people truly stepping away from politics, or are they reinventing it? In this episode, we’ll explore what youth engagement looks like today: from the role of young voters in the United States to the issues driving activism across the Global South. We’ll also ask whether new forms of participation—both online and offline—signal a global movement or remain rooted in local priorities. And now that COP 30 has wrapped up, we’ll reflect on the lessons from years of youth-led climate activism: have they managed to influence policy or shift mindsets? Our guest today is Dr. Laura Bullon-Cassis, a postdoctoral researcher at the Institute's Albert Hirschman Centre on Democracy.
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    15 min