Inaugural meeting with Melinda Simmons – British Ambassador to Poland
November 21, 2025
New editor-in-chief of the faculty journal “Problemy Polityki Społecznej. Social Policy Issues”
November 26, 2025
We cordially invite you to a seminar on the role of philanthropy in the UN system in the face of the current global crisis.
Title: From Crisis to Catalyst: Rethinking Philanthropy’s Role in Global Health and the UN
Date: 2 December 2025
Place: Geneva Graduate Institute, Maison de la paix, Chem. Eugène-Rigot 2, Auditorium A2
The seminar will address how the current structural and financial crisis of the UN is affecting relations between international organisations and the philanthropic sector, particularly in the area of global health and the activities of the World Health Organisation (WHO). Participants will look at the growing role of philanthropic foundations, the search for new models of partnership, and how cooperation with the private sector can become an opportunity to strengthen the activities of the UN and WHO.
The event will include introductory presentations and a panel discussion with experts from academia, international organisations and institutions involved in global health. Speakers will present different perspectives on the future of partnerships between foundations and UN agencies, and will reflect on the lessons learned from experience to date.
We invite everyone interested in global health, philanthropy and international cooperation to attend the seminar.
Program
Opening remarks: Ravinder Bhavnani – Professor, Head of the International Relations/Political Science Department, Geneva Graduate Institute
Setting the stage; “Make the WHO great again?” Global context, philanthropy and the future of the UN/WHO: Anita Budziszewska – Postdoctoral researcher at the University of Warsaw and at the International Relations / Political Science Department and Global Health Centre, IHEID
Roundtable discussion
Mahnaz Vahedi, Scientist/Researcher, Special Programme for Research and Training in Tropical Diseases, World Health Organization
Catarina Mastellaro, Head of Strategic Engagement at the WHO Foundation
Nadya Wells, Senior Research Adviser, Global Health Centre, Geneva Graduate Institute
Raymond Saner, Professor, University of Basel, co-founder of CSEND, a Geneva-based NGRDO with ECOSOC accreditation and consultative status
Lichia Saner – Yiu, Professor, President and co-founder of CSEND, a Geneva-based NGRDO with ECOSOC accreditation and consultative status
Moderator: Annabelle Littoz- Monnet, Professor, International Relations/Political Science Department, Geneva Graduate Institute
Timetable
12:30-12:33 (3 mins.) Opening remarks: Ravinder Bhavanini
12:33-12:43 (10 mins.) Setting the Stage: Anita Budziszewska
12:45-13:35 (55 mins.) Panel discussion
13:35-13:55 (20 mins.) Audience Q&A
13:55-14:00 Closing Remarks (5 mins.) Ravinder Bhavanini/Anita Budziszewska
Program – From Crisis to Catalyst
The event will be hosted by the International Relations/Political Science Department, Geneva Graduate Institute and co-sponsored by the University of Warsaw, Faculty of Political Science and International Studies (IDUB programme) as part of an ongoing research project “Philanthropic Foundations and International Organisations” conducted by Anita Budziszewska at the International Relations/Political Science Department, Geneva Graduate Institute, in 2025/2026.
