In this rich conversation with Professors Davide Rodogno and Carloyn Biltoft, we delve into a world of meaning making and examine the depth and breadth that history offers for policymaking. Davide Rodogno is professor of International History and Politics and the Head of the Interdisciplinary Master Programme at the Graduate Institute of International and Development Studies in Geneva. He specializes in researching international organizations and philanthropic foundations, and transnational networks and movements since the 19th century. Carolyn Biltoft is associate professor of international h ..read more

Founder and Executive Director of Diplo Foundation, Dr. Jovan Kurbalija, takes us on a journey from the past to the present and across civilizations to explore the interplay of technology and diplomacy. Diplomacy and technology are at the heart of Diplo’s mission. Dr. Kurbalija emphasizes the importance of writing as a diplomatic tool and begins by telling us the story in the Sumerian poem “Enmerkar and the Lord of Aratta”, recounting how Enmerkar invents writing on clay tablets to relieve the messenger of having to remember the increasing number of messages with which he is charged. Jovan tal ..read more

We invited Itonde Kakoma, the new President and CEO of Interpeace,  to talk about the mission of Interpeace – an organization that had its origins in the UN and works to prevent violence and build lasting peace. Interpeace has over 27 years of experience working in Africa, the Middle East, Asia, Europe and Latin America.   In this conversation with the Director of the UN Library & Archives, Francesco Pisano, Itonde Kakoma talks about inclusive peacebuilding, a participatory approach and a vision of peace anchored in the cohesion and resilience of citizens, the diversity and inclu ..read more

A conversation with Under-Secretary-General Tatiana Molcean, Executive Secretary of UNECE The United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) is one of the five Regional Commissions of the United Nations. ECE was set up in 1947 to promote pan-European economic integration. Francesco Pisano met with UNECE’s new Executive Secretary, Ms. Tatiana Molcean for a conversation on the role of the Commission and how it serves multilateralism. They also talk about the vision for European economic integration and the challenges currently facing the wider European region. Resources UNECE website: htt ..read more

Will we have a breakthrough or a breakdown? In this second episode with Adam Day, Head of the Geneva Office of the United Nations University Centre for Policy Research, we continue the exploration of the Six Transformative Shifts proposed by the High-Level Advisory Board on Effective Multilateralism for a more secure and sustainable future. Adam Day talks with Francesco Pisano, Director of the Library & Archives about the second three shifts: digital and data governance, peace and prevention and anticipatory action. They also discuss how the UN architecture that was set up post-World War I ..read more

In this and the following episode, we take a deep dive with Adam Day, Head of the Geneva Office of the United Nations University Centre for Policy Research, into the Six Transformative Shifts proposed by the High-Level Advisory Board (HLAB) on Effective Multilateralism for a more secure and sustainable future. Here, in part 1, Adam Day talks with Francesco Pisano, Director of the Library & Archives, about the first three shifts: rebuilding trust in multilateralism; planet and people; and global finance. They talk about re-thinking what consensus means, making multilateralism inclusive and ..read more

We are starting our 2024 series with an episode with H.E. Mrs. Claudia Fuentes Julio, Permanent Representative of Chile. Ambassador Fuentes Julio talks about her interesting career path into diplomacy and representing her country. She tells us about the geography of Chile, bounded between the magnificent Andes and the vast Pacific Ocean, and she relates some of the history of Chile and its long connection with multilateralism, including as a founding Member of the United Nations ..read more

In this end of year episode, Francesco Pisano, Director of the Library & Archives and senior managers Sigrun Habermann and Blandine Blukacz-Louisfert, find themselves on the other side of the table to talk about why knowledge matters in our times, whether libraries matter, what expertise we need and what digitization, technology and AI can mean for knowledge services.  Together, they come up with an innovative list of wishes to bring you advanced knowledge services for work and research in multilateralism.   Resources: https://www.ungeneva.org/en/library-archives   Where to ..read more

A conversation with Ambassador Matthew Wilson As part of our ambassadors’ series, for this episode we invited the Permanent Representative of Barbados, Ambassador Matthew Wilson, to explore the role of Barbados in the Caribbean region and in the world today, and its enduring partnership with the UN over 40 years. Ambassador Wilson talks with Francesco Pisano, Director of the Library & Archives, providing us with a comprehensive insight into Barbados' fascinating history, its position as the hub for the UN Multi-Country Office (MCO) for Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean and as a Permanent ..read more

Le Monde d’ici commence ailleurs : coopérations utiles pour des temps compliqués Pour cet épisode, nous sommes ravis d’accueillir Isabelle Durant, ancienne Secrétaire générale adjointe de la Conférence des Nations Unies sur le Commerce et le Développement (CNUCED). Isabelle Durant est une femme politique belge, membre du parti Ecolo qu'elle dirigea à deux reprises, elle fut sénatrice et Vice-Première ministre fédérale en Belgique. Elle a été vice-présidente du Parlement européen pendant la 7e législature et elle a ensuite été élue au Parlement de la Région de Bruxelles-Capitale.   So ..read more