Every year, during the spring semester, University of Geneva and ETH Zürich jointly run an International Negotiation Seminar entitled the Art and Science of Negotiation, as a SIDLab teaching activity. This seminar is intended for Master students and is led by Ms. Calmy-Rey, former President of Switzerland and Ambassador (ret.) Martin Dahinden. Drawing on their extensive knowledge of multilateral negotiations, it aims to introduce and practice through a simulation of the so-called diplomatic engineering negotiation method. This approach is informed by science in diplomacy, as it brings together know-hows and students from both social sciences and STEM.
The seminar also brings together students from universities beyond UNIGE and ETHZ. This year, students from Yerevan State University also participate in the seminar.
On May 16 and 17, almost 50 students worked very hard during a two-days simulation dedicated to the relations between Armenia and Azerbaijan. Coached by experienced Swiss diplomats, they have designed promising agreements between the parties.
Congratulations to all of them! And let’s hope that their contribution represents a contribution, however small it may be, to shaping the negotiators of tomorrow who will contribute to effective multilateralism.