International Project Programme

From Global Challenges to Global Impact

An international learning experience at the heart of the United Nations, where emerging leaders explore diplomacy, leadership, entrepreneurship and global impact.

IPP brings together students and emerging leaders from around the world for a three-week project-based journey, culminating in an immersive final week in Geneva.

Geneva Week: 29 November – 5 December 2026
Geneva, Switzerland
Delivered in partnership UNITAR — United Nations Institute for Training and Research Ureka Education Group
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IPP at a glance

A truly international learning community

Based on previous IPP cohorts.

27+
Countries represented
63%
Women participants
71%
Participants aged 17–22
5
Global institutions visited
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One programme. Three stages.

More than a week in Geneva

IPP is a structured international learning journey combining virtual collaboration, practical project development and immersive exposure to Geneva's international ecosystem.

01

Explore the challenge

Participants examine global challenges through the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals and identify an issue they want to address.

02

Develop the solution

Working in international teams, participants research, structure and strengthen an impact-focused project through guided collaboration and mentoring.

03

Experience Geneva

The international cohort comes together in Geneva for expert-led sessions, leadership challenges, institutional learning visits, project presentations and recognition.

04
Why Geneva

Learn where global ideas become global action

Geneva is one of the world's most important centres for diplomacy, humanitarian action, scientific cooperation and international leadership. IPP transforms the city and its surrounding institutional ecosystem into a living classroom.

More international organisations are headquartered in Geneva than in any other city in the world. Diplomacy, humanitarian action, global health, labour standards, trade and fundamental science all operate here, within a few kilometres of one another — which is why a single week on the ground can cover ground a semester of reading cannot.

Over the Geneva Week, participants move between five institutions, each representing a different model of international cooperation.

The United Nations Office at Geneva
InstitutionWhat participants explore
Palais des NationsMultilateral diplomacy, negotiation and international cooperation in practice
International Committee of the Red CrossHumanitarian action, crisis response and the protection of human dignity
CERNCross-border scientific collaboration, knowledge and innovation
Patek Philippe MuseumHeritage, precision and long-term excellence in Swiss tradition
Olympic Museum & the Olympic Movement, LausanneSport as a platform for shared values, cooperation and social impact
Together, these experiences introduce participants to different models of global leadership — from diplomacy and humanitarian action to science, enterprise and sport.
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What participants develop

Skills for leadership in a global world

Multilateral understanding

Understand how international institutions, diplomacy and cross-border cooperation respond to complex global challenges.

Project leadership

Learn how to transform an initial idea into a structured, practical and impact-focused project.

Cross-cultural collaboration

Work effectively with participants from different countries, disciplines and perspectives.

Communication and influence

Strengthen capabilities in presenting, pitching, negotiation and collaborative decision-making.

Strategic problem-solving

Break a broad global challenge into a defined problem, an evidence-based response and a realistic plan for delivering it.

Global career awareness

Understand the routes into international organisations, NGOs and policy work — and what those careers actually involve.

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The Geneva learning journey

Seven days of learning, collaboration and global exposure

The Geneva Week is organised around learning themes rather than conventional sightseeing, with each session and institutional experience contributing to the participant journey.

Participants during an institutional learning visit in Geneva
SUN 29 NOV1

Arrival, Orientation and Global Cohort Connection

Arrive in Geneva, connect with fellow participants and prepare for the week through programme orientation and international cohort-building activities.

MON 30 NOV2

Inside Multilateral Diplomacy: The United Nations, Global Cooperation and International Careers

Begin the Geneva experience with an official welcome, expert-led sessions and exposure to the Palais des Nations. Explore how multilateral institutions operate and discover possible academic and professional pathways within the international ecosystem.

TUE 1 DEC3

Leadership in Crisis, the Entrepreneurship Odyssey and Collaborative Decision-Making

Take part in immersive challenges designed to strengthen resilience, adaptability, entrepreneurial thinking and teamwork, followed by an evening reflection cruise on Lake Geneva.

WED 2 DEC4

Global Institutions in Action: Diplomacy, Humanitarian Leadership and Science

Examine how major international institutions respond to global challenges through learning experiences connected to the Palais des Nations, the International Committee of the Red Cross and CERN.

THU 3 DEC5

The Olympic Movement, Global Values and Leadership Through Sport

Travel to Lausanne to explore the role of the Olympic Movement, international sport and shared values in promoting cooperation, inclusion and positive social impact.

FRI 4 DEC6

From Project to Impact: Final Presentations, Recognition and Reflection

Bring together the full IPP journey through concluding sessions, participant presentations, the awards ceremony and structured reflection at UNITAR.

SAT 5 DEC7

Departure from Geneva — Continuing the Journey

Depart with new capabilities, meaningful international connections and a deeper understanding of how ideas can be transformed into global impact.

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Previous speakers and contributors

Learn from global practitioners

IPP connects participants with practitioners working across diplomacy, international organisations, leadership, entrepreneurship, innovation and sustainable development.

Dr Margaret Harris

Global Spokesperson
World Health Organization
Global health, emergency risk communication and career pathways in the UN system

Dr Elodie Tranchez

Senior Lecturer, UNITAR
Former Human Rights Officer, UN OHCHR
International law, human rights and UN mechanisms

Amb. Amr Aljowaily

Visiting Faculty, Multilateral Diplomacy Programme
UNITAR
Multilateral diplomacy, global governance and international security

Suddha Chakravartti

Director
CUTS International, Geneva
Introduction to diplomacy and the gateway to the United Nations

Jerome Lhost

Founder & General Manager
The November Company
Project management, negotiation skills and the SDG project pitch

Alice Richard

Sustainability Facilitator
[Organisation to confirm]
Sustainability and the SDGs through experiential, game-based learning
Selected previous speakers and contributors are presented for programme context. Speakers and session leaders may vary by cohort.
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Programme fees

Choose your programme option

Every option includes the same full programme. The only difference is accommodation.

Programme fee — no accommodation
USD 3,000

Designed for participants arranging their own accommodation.

Accommodation and breakfast not included
Most chosen
Residential — twin sharing
USD 3,550

Designed for participants choosing programme-arranged twin-sharing accommodation.

Six nights twin-sharing + daily breakfast
Residential — single room
USD 4,100

Designed for participants choosing programme-arranged private accommodation.

Six nights single room + daily breakfast
Included in every programme option
Two-week guided remote project-development phase
Collaborative project aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals
Full Geneva Week academic and experiential programme
Official welcome session within the United Nations environment
Guided visit to the Palais des Nations
Expert-led sessions on diplomacy, leadership, entrepreneurship and global impact
International Committee of the Red Cross learning experience
CERN learning experience
Patek Philippe Museum visit
Lausanne programme day connected to the Olympic Movement
Olympic Museum visit
Lake Geneva reflection cruise
Local transportation for official programme activities
Programme transportation between Geneva and Lausanne
Scheduled lunches during programme activities
Programme materials
Final project presentation and pitch experience
Awards and reflection ceremony at UNITAR
Official UNITAR Certificate of Completion
Personalised UNITAR–Ureka recommendation letter
Visa-support documentation, where required
Access to the international IPP participant network
Accommodation. The two residential options add six nights of programme-arranged accommodation and daily breakfast — twin-sharing, or a single room as a private supplement. The no-accommodation option covers the identical programme without a room or breakfast.
Not included in any option
International flights
Airport transfers
Visa application or processing fees
Travel or medical insurance
Dinners and meals not explicitly stated
Personal expenses
Accommodation and breakfast — on the no-accommodation option only
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Frequently asked questions

Before you apply

Who can apply to IPP?

IPP is designed for university students and emerging leaders seeking international exposure and practical experience in diplomacy, leadership, entrepreneurship and global impact.

Is IPP limited to students from international relations or political science?

No. IPP welcomes participants from all academic disciplines, including business, engineering, technology, law, medicine, social sciences and the humanities.

How is the programme delivered?

IPP begins with a two-week guided remote project phase. Participants then travel to Geneva for the final seven-day immersive learning experience.

Is visa support provided?

Successful participants receive relevant programme documentation to support their visa application. Visa decisions remain under the authority of the relevant embassy or consulate.

Can universities nominate a delegation?

Yes. Universities and educational institutions may nominate groups of students to participate as part of the international cohort.

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Apply

Your journey to Geneva starts here

Join an international cohort of students and emerging leaders ready to explore global challenges, develop practical ideas and experience international cooperation at its centre.

Apply to IPP

Submit your details and our team will be in touch.

Prefer email? Write to malak.j@ureka.co.uk.

Thank you — your application has been received. Our team will be in touch.
Geneva Week
29 November – 5 December 2026
Location
Geneva, Switzerland
Contact
malak.j@ureka.co.uk