The Villars Institute had the great honor to receive the 2024 Gallatin Award from the Embassy of Switzerland in the United States in recognition of our “transformative contributions to Switzerland’s fight against the climate crisis.” The award is named in honor of Albert Gallatin, who is often described as “America’s Swiss Founding Father” and was a politician, diplomat, and economist who served as the U.S. Secretary of the Treasury (1801–1814).
2024 Villars Fellowship Program
Selected the 3rd cohort of +150 young leaders between 13 to 19 years old, coming from 42 countries and nominated by 32 Talent Partners, for the Villars Institute's Fellowship Program. They were identified as having the 5 key traits of a systems leader by their schools and organizations. There are currently 394 Villars Fellows worldwide. The aim of the Villars Fellowship is to empower young people to address complex systemic challenges such as biodiversity loss, climate change, food security, nature restoration, and renewable energy by promoting intergenerational collaboration.
Montreux Jazz Spotlight Sessions in Villars (February – March)
Kicked off our programming in 2024 at the historic Villars Palace with the second edition of the Montreux Jazz Festival’s Spotlight Sessions. Spanning three weekends from 9 February to 2 March, the series featured six evenings of concerts by emerging artists, showcasing the stars of tomorrow. The lineup included rising artists Tony Ann, Marguerite Thiam, Yamê, María José Llergo, Holly Macve, and Victor Ray, representing the best of pop, soul, and R’n’B. Beyond the concerts, the experience was enhanced with après-ski moments and DJ sets, offering a vibrant atmosphere and celebrating the next generation of musical talent.
Uplink Innovators Meeting (19 -20 March)
Co-hosted over 60 global members of the Uplink Innovation Network of the World Economic Forum to work with pioneering start-ups featured in their global innovation challenge competitions and to highlight various impact initiatives in the 2024 Villars Summit program. UpLink also officially released its full Annual Impact Report for 2022-23 and introduced a new innovation challenge centered on biodiversity conservation and restoration, reinforcing its dedication to advancing sustainable solutions.
Villars Summit 2024 (20-23 March)
Convened over 280 experts, entrepreneurs, investors, and philanthropists, the invitation-only Villars Institute Summit focused on addressing the climate and biodiversity crises through interdisciplinary collaboration. Throughout the summit, participants explored interconnected systems—spanning biodiversity, energy, finance, food, water, and more—identifying critical chokepoints and leverage points for systemic change. A cohort of 20 Villars Fellows served as rapporteurs, capturing insights across sessions and fostering intergenerational collaboration.
3rd Villars Distinguished Lecture (20 March)
Organized the 3rd Villars Institute Distinguished Lecture, delivered by Lord Mark Malloch-Brown. Drawing from his extensive experience in international affairs, he offered profound insights into the geopolitical and multilateral challenges and opportunities shaping the global landscape.
Conservation Leaders Roundtable 2024 (20 March)
Convened the inaugural Conservation Leaders Roundtable, bringing together leaders from global conservation organizations, including Director Generals Kirsten Schuijt (WWF), Grethel Aguilar (IUCN), and Jennifer Morris Chief Executive Officer at (The Nature Conservancy). This community was established to explore key leverage points and opportunities for collaboration to accelerate the systems change needed to halt and reverse biodiversity and nature loss.
GLC- HP Global Hackathons
Partnered with HP to create a global hackathon series which challenged students across 4 countries worldwide to develop innovative solutions pertaining to enhancing education through responsible AI. Ascertaining the veracity of AI-derived information for learners and for educational content as well as ensuring an inclusive learning environment for all is a global challenge. Students from India (6 February), Rwanda (16 March), Kenya (12 April) and Switzerland (17 April) all explored different ways to use AI to enhance various aspects of learning, from improving inclusivity for differently abled students, to automatizing evaluation processes for teachers and aiding high school students with career planning. Eight finalists made it to Villars to present their projects at the Villars Symposium 2024.
Systems Leadership Program
Delivered the second iteration of the Systems Leadership Program in collaboration with the Minerva Project. This interactive online learning program consists of three courses, each with four classes spread across the calendar year. Rooted in the Villars Institute’s systems leadership framework, the program continued to incorporate advanced tools from systems thinking, adaptive problem-solving, and purpose-driven leadership to deepen participants' understanding of effective systems change and leadership.
The 6th Geneva Trialogue on AI and Education (31 May)
Co-lead discussions at the 6th Geneva Trialogue on AI and Education in collaboration with the United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR) and the University of Geneva, as part of the AI for Good Summit. The focus was on reimagining the future of life-long learning with AI, exploring needs and opportunities along the journey of a learner and AI-driven solutions.
GLC Postdoctoral Fellows Network
Created an international network of postdoctoral researchers who are working together on learning outcomes with AI tools through periodic virtual meetings and research exchange visits at partner institutions. Current research areas include AI in higher education and the science of learning, Natural Language Processing, Deep Learning, Healthcare Informatics and Responsible AI, with groups focusing on the following projects: “Generative AI for STEAM learning” and “Educational Resources Advisor Chatbot for Diverse Audience”. The first results were presented at the GLC Annual Meeting in June 2024.
Ocean Science Expedition 2024 – Northwest Passage, (10 June – 7 October)
Supported the Ocean Science Expedition 2024, a 17-week long journey through the Northwest Passage. This expedition aimed to gather breakthrough data to better understand the health of arctic marine ecosystems, bringing science to the attention of the global business and financial community, and by involving our young Villars Fellows thanks to satellite technology, informing and empowering both current and future generations to shift mindsets, raise ambitions and take meaningful action.
4th International Food Innovation Conference (19 June)
A group of Villars Fellows participated in the 4th International Food Innovation Conference, hosted by Knowledge Partner the Gottlieb Duttweiler Institute (GDI). The event provided interdisciplinary insights from industry, retail, catering, consulting, and health sectors, exploring the cultural challenges innovations face in food production, preparation, and consumption. The Fellows shared their perspectives with the audience, highlighting how Generation Z is reshaping food culture.
Global Learning Council 2024 Annual Meeting (24-25 June)
Hosted the 2024 Annual Meeting of the Global Learning Council, convening 125 individuals around the future of education and the role of technology and AI in improving access to quality education worldwide. This year’s program focused on how to drive impact at scale when it comes to preparing young learners for the future of the planet, of humanity and of AI. A highlight of this year’s meeting included an interactive session with the GLC Postdoctoral Fellows and the winning teams of the GLC-HP Hackathons who shared their project ideas to spark an exchange among participants around the future of education and AI and narratives to empower future projects with greater impact.
2024 Frontiers Planet Prize Award Ceremony (25-26 June)
Co-hosted the 2nd edition of the Frontiers Planet Prize, with the award ceremony taking place on June 26. The Frontiers Planet Prize celebrated breakthroughs in sustainability science, recognizing solutions with the potential to help humanity stay within Earth's ecosystem boundaries. Nominations came from top universities, national academies, and funding agencies, fostering global competition. A distinguished Jury selected one National Champion from over 20 countries and three International Champions, each receiving one million Swiss francs and global exposure. The prize aimed to spur international collaboration, accelerate scientific discoveries, and highlight the urgent need for increased funding in sustainability science.
4th Villars Distinguished Lecture (25 June)
Hosted the 4th Villars Institute Distinguished Lecture, presented by Professor Subra Suresh. His lecture, titled “How Deep Learning from Nature and Machines Matters for Our Future”, explored the transformative intersections of biology, engineering, and artificial intelligence, highlighting their potential to address critical challenges and redefine our future.
Villars Symposium (25 – 28 June)
Organized the 3rd Villars Symposium working closely with our Talent, Knowledge, and Project partners to advance systems leadership through interdisciplinary and intergenerational collaboration by convening experts, educators, and entrepreneurs to work with solutions-oriented youth on climate, energy, and biodiversity challenges in the context of the Villars Fellowship program.
Art Installation "Memories of the Melted” by Thijs Biersteker (5 – 20 July)
Collaborated with ecological artist Thijs Biersteker to co-create an art piece, Memories of the Melted, to showcase at future Villars Institute and global events, with its launch at the Spotlight Studio during the 2024 Montreux Jazz Festival. This interactive installation transformed Swiss glacier data into a vivid and emotional experience, using cutting-edge technology to bring the climate crisis to life. By blending science and art, the installation made the complex realities of climate change tangible and relatable, inspiring both awareness and action, and underscoring the Villars Institute's mission to connect science, creativity, and systems thinking in addressing global environmental challenges.
Montreux Jazz Spotlight Studio @Montreux Jazz Festival (5-20 July)
Featured at the Montreux Jazz Festival 2024, the Villars Institute Spotlight Studio returned to promote its mission of accelerating the transition to a Net Zero and Nature Positive economy while showcasing its role as a curator in cultural activities. Through its presence, the Villars Institute continued to bridge the worlds of sustainability and the arts, inspiring audiences to engage with critical environmental challenges.
GLC-CERN Project on the Energy Transition
Collaborated with CERN to sponsor 6 students and 4 high-school teachers from around the world to attend CERN’s Summer Internships Program for university students and teachers over two months. Following their internships, the group of 10 have been engaged in a common project, designed to help accelerate the sustainable energy transition, leveraging intergenerational, multi- and interdisciplinary approaches. The project outcomes, pertaining to the research question: “How can technology and education be leveraged to accelerate the energy transition in regionally relevant ways?” will be presented during the Global Learning Conference in 2025.
Festival International du Film Alpin des Diablerets (FIFAD - 3-10 August)
Collaborated with the Festival International du Film Alpin des Diablerets (FIFAD), the Villars Fellowship showcased the role of film in addressing climate change and fostering intergenerational collaboration. Six Villars Fellows participated in a unique bivouac experience on the Les Diablerets Glacier 3000, combining a glacier hike with a film screening to deepen their understanding of environmental preservation. Additionally, three Fellows served on the Youth Prize Jury, selecting outstanding films that reflect the Fellowship's values, with mentorship from both the Villars Institute and FIFAD, enhancing their appreciation for cinema’s role in sustainability and global awareness.
Villars Intensive Program on Ecopreneurship (4-10 August)
Launched the Villars Intensive Program on Ecopreneurship (VIPe), which brought together 20 young aspiring sustainability entrepreneurs from 16 different nationalities for a transformative 5-day leadership experience. Led by global ecopreneurs Sofia de Meyer (Opaline) and Sofi Khwaja-Horekens (Thesus), along with guest lecturers, the program equipped participants with the skills to turn their eco-anxiety into eco-ambition. Participants developed sustainable business concepts, engaged with real-world ecopreneurship cases, and were inspired by leaders in the fields of food and fashion, gaining practical insights into regenerative entrepreneurship.
Villars Music Academy (11-18 August)
Hosted in its third edition, the Villars Music Academy brought together 30 talented young musicians from over 15 nationalities, who were mentored by world-renowned violist Nils Mönkemeyer, a new guest professor at the Academy, and members of the Berlin Philharmoniker. The week-long program took a holistic approach, helping musicians reach their full potential.
Robert Dunand Prize (16 August)
Hosted the inaugural Robert Dunand Prize, a competition exclusively for the laureates of the Villars Music Academy. The Robert Dunand Prize was awarded to SongHa, who has won awards at major international competitions, including the 2023 Montreal International Competition and the 2016 Menuhin International Violin Competition. Click here to learn more about SongHa.
International Organization for Standardization (ISO) Annual Meeting 2024 (9-12 September)
Villars Fellows from Talent Partner, Colegio Los Nogales, participated in the ISO 2024 Annual Meeting to discuss how we can ensure that standards reflect the needs and aspiration to proposer within planetary boundaries.
Steel Standards Principle Annual Meeting (12-13 September)
Co-hosted with the World Steel Association, and the World Trade Organization Secretariat, the first Annual Meeting of the Steel Standards Principles in Villars-Sur-Ollon, Switzerland, one year after the launch of the initiative. This two-day meeting brought together leaders from endorsing companies, organizations, and stakeholders to collaborate on actionable pathways across three key tracks: Interoperability and Recognition, Data and Emission Factors, and SWOT Analysis for an outcome statement leading COP29. The discussions focused on aligning measurement standards, ensuring transparency, and developing tools to accelerate the transition to low-carbon steel production.
Climate Week New York (22-29 September)
Participated in the 2024 Climate Week in New York, co-hosting a session alongside Open Planet Studios and Swissnex Boston. This session explored how youth can amplify their voices in the climate movement and highlighted the power of visual storytelling to inspire hope for a thriving planet.
Villars Fellows Connect (30 September)
Hosted the 1st Villars Fellows Connect, the inaugural online gathering of the Villars Fellows community. Fellows exchanged ideas and showcased their ongoing projects while gaining valuable insights from experts. Thomas Crowther emphasized the critical role of biodiversity in addressing the climate crisis, and Jade Hameister inspired them with her remarkable journey as the youngest person to achieve the "polar hat-trick."
Geneva Science and Diplomacy Anticipator (GESDA) Summit ( 9-11 October)
Villars Fellows had the privilege to participate in the GESDA - Geneva Science and Diplomacy Anticipator, which took place at the CERN Science Gateway — an architectural masterpiece designed to foster scientific awareness among all age groups. Our young Villars Fellows, aged 13 to 19, were actively engaged in discussions centered around the theme "Using the Future to Build the Present". They also served as rapporteurs, capturing insights across sessions and fostering intergenerational collaboration.
2024 United Nations Biodiversity Conference of the Parties (21 October – 1 November)
Attended the 2024 United Nations Biodiversity Conference of the Parties in Cali, Colombia, actively contributing to key discussions and initiatives. Hosted a dinner session at Nature House in partnership with Project Everyone, celebrating visionary filmmakers and artists crafting compelling narratives on biodiversity conservation and the platforms accelerating their influence. Additionally, co-hosted a session at the Nature Positive Pavilion with Open Planet Studios. This session highlighted the transformative impact of collaboration with artists and filmmakers to inspire action, featuring an exclusive preview of a groundbreaking feature film aimed at raising global awareness about the urgent need for large-scale nature restoration to combat biodiversity loss.
2024 Global Issues Survey
Published the 2024 Global Issues Survey of over 300 youth on key issues shaping the future of our planter. The aim of the survey is to provide a useful tool to guide educators and employers in the design of curricula and learning programs that align with the skills and knowledge youth recognize as essential to thrive in a sustainable future. Some key insights from the survey include shifting from "eco-anxiety" to "eco-ambition" to empower youth, enhancing the relevance of "Nature Positive" goals, leveraging interest in technologies like AI and renewables, addressing education gaps, aligning workplace learning with a sustainable economy, and connecting with youth aspirations to nurture future leaders.
Building Bridges Summit ( 9-12 December)
Villars Fellows had the honor of participating in the Building Bridges 2024, a platform dedicated to accelerating sustainable finance. This summit brought together leaders from various sectors, including finance, startups, governments, the UN, NGOs, academic institutions, philanthropists, and asset owners. Through this collaboration, our fellows were afforded invaluable opportunities to learn, network, and engage with global decision-makers. They also served as rapporteurs, capturing insights across sessions and fostering intergenerational collaboration.
