The Mohammed bin Rashid School of Government (MBRSG), the first research and teaching institution focusing on governance and public policy in the Arab world, has organised an academic field trip to Geneva, Switzerland, with 11 students from the School’s Master of Public Administration (MPA) and Executive Master of Public Administration (EMPA) programmes taking part.

The delegation visited the Geneva School of Diplomacy and International Relations; the United Nations’ International Labour Organisation (ILO); the UN’s World Economic Forum; the United Nations Development Program (UNDP); the International Trade Centre (ITC); the World Trade Organisation (WTO); the World Health Organisation, and several other international organisations and institutions.

MBRSG’s Executive President His Excellency Dr Ali Sebaa Al Marri said: “This is our second annual academic trip to Switzerland, which sought to introduce participants to international best practices, and expose them to new knowledge and cultural experiences that enhance their capacities and confidence. The trip offered an ideal opportunity to showcase the unique Emirati experience in the field of government knowledge and governance, it also underlined our commitment to investing in human capital and talented young nationals, who are the future of government in the UAE.”

H.E. Al Marri expressed gratitude to the UAE’s diplomatic mission in Geneva for the close attention they paid to the visiting delegation, thanking H.E. Obaid Salem Al Zaabi, Permanent Representative of the UAE to United Nations and other international organisations in Geneva, for his hospitality and guidance.

“We are delighted to be hosting the student delegation from the Mohammed Bin Rashid School of Government, and to be getting acquainted with this distinguished group of promising national talents,” said H.E. Al Zaabi. “The delegates shared their valuable opinions and suggestions, and we look forward to working with them to promote the exchange of knowledge between the UAE and the prominent universities and institutions here in Geneva. Furthermore, we are committed to highlighting the academic achievements of our country, all the while benefiting from the strong relations between the UAE and Switzerland, especially in the education and training sector.”

During the visit to the Geneva School of Diplomacy and International Relations (GSD), the student delegation attended a lecture by Professor Eduardo Messioni, a visiting professor at GSD, who introduced them to the procedures and organisational schemes in force at several high-profile international organisations, not-for-profit organisations and non-governmental organisations (NGOs).

At the International Labour Organisation, the students learned about the nature of the ILO’s work, as well as international labour laws, labour rights protection laws, and the Organisation’s Special Tripartite Committee’s regulations for governments, chambers of commerce, and trade unions. The delegation also visited the Office of the UNDP and was introduced to the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), as well as the plans to implement them, and performance indicators used.

Dr Mona Mostafa El-Sholkamy, Assistant Professor at MBRSG, said: “The knowledge that our students acquired during their trip to Geneva has honed their skills, developed their abilities, and enhanced their academic and scientific knowledge and practical experience. The visit has introduced participants to the latest international developments in the fields of public policy, international relations, trade, economy, and development. It familiarised them with new ways of stimulating innovation and creativity at the institutional or governmental level, which plays a critical role in enhancing the global competitiveness of any organisation.”

During their visit to the World Economic Forum, the students learned about the nature of the Forum’s work and the creative initiatives it has undertaken – such as the Young Leaders Initiative – as well as the Forum’s role in promoting innovation, stimulating economic growth, and strengthening partnerships between organisations around the world.

For his part, Dr Immanuel Azaad Moonesar, said: “The main objective from this trip is to step away from familiar academic courses to more innovative approaches, where students can closely examine international best practices in public policy, in force at some of the most important international organisations in the world, many of which are based in Geneva. This broadens the outlook of all participants in the programme, and allows them to embrace creativity and innovation, and implement their learnings in their own institutions.”

Last but not least, during their visit to the United Nations International Trade Centre (ITC) in Geneva, the delegation was introduced to the role that the private sector and small and medium enterprises can play in the economy, as well as ways to attract promising start-ups from around the world. The students also explored trade agreements, trade agreement governance, and ways to resolve international trade disputes as they visited the World Trade Organisation, where their visit coincided with the 22nd anniversary of the UAE joining the WTO as a permanent member.