The Duke Global Policy Program takes place in Geneva, Switzerland each summer for a dynamic course week. We will confirm the date soon, likely in June.
Students will learn how international and non-governmental organizations in Geneva are addressing today’s most pressing global challenges.
- Global Health Track
- Humanitarian Action: Crises, Refugees, and Human Rights Track
- International Trade Policy Track
The week includes meetings with approximately 20 practitioners, site visits to Geneva-based IGOs and NGOs, networking events, professional coaching, group case simulations, and a culminating policy memo assignment. It’s a rigorous week that shapes students’ professional and personal ambitions.
The intensive course week will address critical questions like:
- How can globalization be a catalyst for development and improved living standards?
- Is multilateral cooperation irreparably broken?
- Could a new, fairer form of global health and humanitarian action be forged in the post-pandemic era?
- How can trade policy be used to address conflicts between countries over the use of industrial policy and subsidies?
Students will meet with leading global health, international trade, and humanitarian practitioners from key multilateral agencies, such as the International Committee of the Red Cross, Médecins Sans Frontières, World Trade Organization (WTO) International Organization for Migration, World Health Organization (WHO), International Trade Center(ITC) the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria, and UNHC.
- Students will go on site visits related to their track to see the inner workings of these agencies.
- Speakers will include scholars and practitioners from high burden nations.
- Debates, readings, case studies, and a culminating policy memo assignment: all planned activities will help to put theory into action.
Valuable coursework
The humanitarian coursework with Professor Amy Hepburn was phenomenal. I have never had a class that integrates reality within the classroom so seamlessly and the conversation amongst our participants was so rich, it was almost upsetting when we had to wind down for the day. - Kayla King, The Pennsylvania State University
Faculty
Credit
Completion of the course/research project will enable the student to earn 2.0 credits through the Duke University Sanford School. Participants should confirm that their home institutions will accept the 2.0 academic credits awarded in the course. After the participants have fulfilled all course requirements, they may request an official Duke transcript. Participants are responsible for insuring credit transfer to their home institution. Some universities provide their students with the option of receiving academic credit or professional development (which may provide some funding). Please check with your academic programs and career offices.
An Experience of a Lifetime
Alumni of the Duke Sanford Global Policy in Geneva Program often voice similar thoughts about the value of spending a week in Geneva. People say things like "It completely changed my perspective."