Global Engagement: Welcoming the Director-General of UNESCO to Zurich
The University of Zurich (UZH), together with colleagues from ETH Zurich, welcomed the Director-General of UNESCO for a high-level discussion on strengthening collaboration between science, policy, and society. The visit highlighted the role of universities in sharing knowledge and addressing global challenges through open international cooperation.
The visit marked the first meeting between UNESCO’s new leadership and Zurich’s two leading universities.
Led by the Director-General of UNESCO, Khaled El-Enany, the discussions brought together representatives from UNESCO and Switzerland’s delegation to UNESCO, alongside university leadership and selected representatives from UZH and ETH Zurich, for an open exchange on shared priorities at the intersection of science, policy, and society.
UNESCO highlighted its focus on strengthening the role of science within its mandate, alongside education, culture, and communication. Emphasis was placed on advancing open science, expanding access to research and education, and reducing global inequalities in access to knowledge. The Director-General underlined the importance of long-term partnerships with institutions in the Global South, as well as capacity building and student mobility, to make science more accessible and impactful in diverse global contexts.
Representatives from UZH and ETH Zurich shared examples of ongoing engagement related to these priorities. Examples discussed included the World Biodiversity Forum, which promotes dialogue between science, policy, and society across regions, and the Trialogue Days, which foster collaboration and exchange with partners in the Global South around questions of global health and planetary well-being. Discussions also identified potential areas for exchange and future collaboration in the field of neurotechnology.
The exchange reflected a shared commitment to strengthening connections between academia and international organizations and to advancing science as a driver of inclusive and sustainable development.
UZH looks forward to further exploring potential collaboration with UNESCO and its partners, based on a shared interest in transforming knowledge into action and strengthening the contribution of science to sustainable solutions to global challenges.
Open engagement with international partners
Guided by its commitment to openness, academic freedom, and societal responsibility, the University of Zurich actively contributes to international collaboration and knowledge exchange. Through partnerships with organizations such as UNESCO, the World Health Organization (WHO), the World Trade Organization (WTO), the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), and the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), UZH shares research-based expertise and contributes to international dialogue on global societal challenges.
Tiffany Merz-Cheok
