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HOW DO WE KEEP ABREAST OF INFORMATION IN A

RAPIDLY CHANGING WORLD?

Jasmine Champenois from the Graduate Institute of
International and Development Studies offers some
words of advice.

local-governance project, specialized topics, such as
what type of information international
trade,
should they be looking for? development
project
The efficient professional evaluation or global health
needs to build a framework diplomacy, offer participants
for analysis and action based a space within which to think
on expert knowledge, availa- "outside the box" and an
ble global information and, opportunity to discover alter-
most importantly, what we native perspectives that they
term "innovative thinking". might not otherwise have
This is very often the missing explored. For instance, one
link that participants are see- diplomat recently admitted
king when they turn to our that a case study that she had
programmes. It is this asset examined as part of our
that gives any organization programme on international
that "little something extra" in law had been spot on! The
the world today. very next day she had had to
adopt a multi-stakeholder
0: Professionals who In most fields of work, people Q: The Graduate Institute approach in order to solve an
need to stay well infor- are encouraged to continuous- offers executive educa- issue with a business partner.
med about their global ly update their knowledge and tion programmes on
environment face a new skills. This is particularly true world affairs: how do Our programme on Global
challenge: how can they of professionals working in a these fit in at a time of Economic
Governance
keep up with the growing fast-moving field like global high uncertainty in the teaches a lot about decision-
flow of information? affairs. Fortunately, today work market? making in a time of crisis,
there are a number of tools while at the same time
Global affairs have, by available for personal and Professionals come to us for contributing to creating
definition, always been a busy professional development, degree-granting programmes, scenarios for a sustainable
field. What has changed is including future. This is perhaps one of
competitive but also for short and tailor-
that today there is tremendous intelligence the most valuable aspects of
newsfeeds, made courses. Most have
pressure on civil servants and independent tailor-made between three and twenty our approach to the study of
businessmen alike to keep on reports, peer forums and years' professional experience world affairs: we look at what
top of the constant changes in executive programmes. in both the private and public is happening today in the
global regulations, geopolitics sectors. What we do is to global arena and examine
and the world economy. What 0: Which skills do you bring together experienced how events can be transfor-
was once a career asset has think are important in the professionals and a world- med into opportunities for
now become a career ideal global enterprise? class faculty who share and achieving the long-term ideal
necessity. Most professionals work towards a common of just and sustainable deve-
now have to deal with global When we reflect on the goal: a commitment to help lopment.
or multicultural issues every cluster of skills needed by professionals develop a deep
day: climate change, global both Contact:
and understanding of world
Jasmine
graduates
crises, Champenois, Executive
public/private
participants in our executive affairs. So, for example, our
partnerships, etc. programmes, we come up part-time programmes, such Education,
Graduate
with an endless list. What as the Executive Master in Institute of International
0: Professionals don't really matters, therefore, is for International Negotiation and and Development Studies,
always have enough each individual to have a clear Policy-Making,
Geneva: Website: executi-
enable
time ve@graduateinstitute.ch
acquire
to
vision of where to find the participants to design their
information on how information they need, and own analytical framework
global
governance
not to be overwhelmed by it. through which to make sense
impacts
on
their
So, for example, if someone is quickly and critically of their
activities. How can they looking to sell more milk in a global environment. Our
cope? new market or develop a short programmes on
24 4 2009 Diva
www.divanternatjonaI.ch