Summer University Course · Geopolitics
20th Annual Summer University Course · Geneva
5 – 9 July 2027
The principal objective of this programme is to introduce the main concepts of geopolitics. It adopts a multidisciplinary approach — strategic, geographic, historic, cultural and economic — to build a deeper understanding of contemporary international relations. Conferences are held by leading international experts.
Programme highlights & learning outcomes
- Apply the geopolitical analysis method in different case-study situations
- Integrate geopolitical factors and foresight into decision-making
- Participate actively in an interactive, non-conformist course
- Build professional networks with participants from varied backgrounds
Who should attend
People working for international organisations and government agencies, diplomats, university students, professionals from various economic sectors and other interested individuals.
Lectures
- 01Geopolitical Schools of ThoughtDavid Criekemans
- 02Geopolitical Factors of SwitzerlandAlexandre Lambert
- 03Enduring and Variable Factors of Geopolitical Analysis
- 04Interactive Geopolitical Exercise: Analysis and Strategic ChoicesGyula Csurgai
- 05Geopolitics and Risk AssessmentAlexandre Vautravers
- 06Strategic Foresight and Geopolitical Scenario BuildingGyula Csurgai
- 07Geopolitics of EnergyDavid Criekemans
- 08Geoeconomics and Power ProjectionGyula Csurgai
- 09The Belt and Road Initiative in an Evolving Geoeconomic ContextAlexandre Lambert
- 10India's Geopolitical Gravity: The 21st-Century GamechangerAlexandre Lambert
- 11Geopolitics of ReligionsManlio Graziano
- 12The Transformation of War in an Evolving Geopolitical ContextBernard Wicht
Lecturers
David Criekemans
Doctorate on Geopolitical Schools of Thought; Associate Professor in Belgian and Comparative Foreign Policy (University of Antwerp) and in International Relations (University College Roosevelt). Chief editor of the Brill series Geopolitics and International Relations, and member of the GIGS Scientific Council.
Gyula Csurgai
Doctorate from the University of Geneva; his research focused on the development of the geopolitical analysis method and its application to case studies. Degrees in Political Science from Concordia University (Canada) and the University of Toulouse (France), and postgraduate diplomas in European Studies and Philosophy from the University of Geneva. Co-founder of GIGS, he has taught geopolitics, geoeconomics, strategy and international relations at universities in Switzerland and abroad, and has advised international organisations, governments and private corporations.
Manlio Graziano
Doctorate from the University of Grenoble; teaches Geopolitics at the American Graduate School in Paris and at Sorbonne University. Author of The Failure of Italian Nationhood, Holy War and Holy Alliance and What Is a Border?
Alexandre Lambert
Ph.D. in International Relations from the Graduate Institute of International and Development Studies, Geneva. Lead researcher on the OSCE at the Graduate Institute, project officer at DCAF and a civil servant at the Swiss Federal Department of Defence. He advises the OSCE Forum for Security Cooperation and researches the geopolitics of Eurasia and the Belt and Road Initiative. Academic Director of GIGS.
Alexandre Vautravers
Doctorate in Social and Economic Sciences and History. Expert on strategic and security issues and global arms trade; Chief Editor of the Swiss Military Review (RMS); former head of the Department of International Relations at Webster University, Geneva.
Bernard Wicht
BA and Ph.D. in Law from the University of Fribourg. Has taught strategic studies at the University of Lausanne. Author of several books on the transformation of war and the evolution of strategy, and member of the GIGS Scientific Council.