Interview with Bernard Fuhrer, Director of the SNIS
What is the international organizations response to the implementation of the Swiss Network for International Studies (SNIS)?
The response has been very enthusiastic. To understand this, it is important to know that international organizations (IOs) are very interested in establishing contacts with academics. Both sides benefit from these exchanges and collaborations, the academics bring their analytical rigor and the organizations their field experience. We can say that theory meets practice. Given that the SNIS facilitates these links through it's projects' financing and organization of events, the reaction is clearly very positive as it responds to a real need.
Have the projects supported by the SNIS led to sustainable collaborations between international organizations and the academic world? Can you give us some concrete examples?
If the projects supported by the SNIS are authentic projects - that is to say research activities with a concrete impact - collaborations often continue beyond the project period. A concrete example: the SNIS funded a project on the issue of death in custody developed jointly by the ICRC and the Faculty of Medicine at the University of Geneva. The research has notably led to the elaboration of a manual to determine, even with limited resources, the circumstances of a death in detention. This outcome is of immediate utility for the ICRC and numerous NGOs confronted with this reality in the field. This manual, developed on a scientific basis, captured the attention of other players in the field. As a result, new projects are being developed between initial partners and new ones. We can therefore say that a SNIS project can have a long-term effect, beyond the two-year funding commitment and can develop its own momentum by building other partnerships.
Why was was the "Geneva International Award" created in 2010?
This award is unique in the academic landscape. Of course awards for academic work exist, but the Geneva International Award highlights scientific articles that are particularly useful to the work of international organizations. These research findings are immediately accessible to professionals engaged in the field, as well as to policy makers.
Can you tell us about this year's "Geneva International Award" winners?
Three research papers were selected this year, including two that directly address topics related to work carried out by international organizations. One research evaluates governance within the ILO; another raises the question of the impact of IOs' activities on the democratization process, particularly in the context of States undergoing democratization. The third winner analyzed the impact of international humanitarian law in Afghanistan. Specifically, the research analyses how far the Taliban follow internal codes of conduct which incorporate elements of humanitarian law. All three articles therefore have this practical and applied orientation, transforming an academic article into a working tool.
The theme of the 2012 call for projects focuses on sustainable development in an era of financial crisis. Can you explain how this theme was selected?
To set the annual theme, the SNIS relies on an advisory committee made of representatives of international organizations based in Geneva. The discussions between the fifteen members serving in this group consequently reflect international organizations' concerns. This year the prevailing feeling was that tightening resources due to the financial crisis could impair sustainable development. The challenge is to do more with less, a challenge that requires new approaches. The call for projects invites the academic community to find joint approaches and innovative solutions.
In 2012, the SNIS opens its call for projects to NGOs. Why this change? What do you expect?
To be precise, NGOs as well as IOs have always had the opportunity to be associated with a project. Only the main coordination should come from a university or higher education institute. Moreover, in the past, NGOs widely participated in many projects funded by the SNIS. What changes is that from now on, they will be able to play a more active role . To this end that we have recently created the new collaboration platform.
The SNIS aims at improving collaboration between the academics, IOs and NGOs. However, we note that the academics are not necessarily well informed of existing research projects and plans in these organizations. The new platform makes it possible for IOs and NGOs to communicate their research agendas. The academics may then follow-up on one of these research questions and contacts can be established very easily.
What are your goals for the years to come?
The SNIS wishes to strengthen its networking activities between the different communities.
Since its creation in 2008, the SNIS has been able to build a dense network within the academic community: it has become an authentic Swiss network broadening collaboration horizons at the national level. This network - very rich in intellectual resources - must now be proactively connected to networks of international organizations in Switzerland, and particularly in Geneva. The SNIS will function more as a hub, as a platform for projects and ideas linking international organizations, NGOs and academics. We will expand our services in line with social networks, a sort of "Facebook" of experts. Any registered member will be able to find experts in a particular area of specialization. This service is meant not just for specialists but is also for the media. Finally, in the same vision of building contacts, the SNIS will intensify its scientific communication and make research results accessible to a wider audience.
Geneva, 10 January 2012
