The Federal Council has renewed Professor Solange Ghernaouti’s term of office on the Swiss Commission for UNESCO for a further four years (2020-2024).
Created in 1949 by a decision of the Federal Council and attached to the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA), the Swiss Commission for UNESCO advises the Federal authorities on issues concerning relations between Switzerland and UNESCO. Appointed by the Federal Council, its members are all independent experts from Switzerland who work to promote and diffuse UNESCO ideals.
Solange Ghernaouti is a full professor in the Department of Information Systems (Complexity Sciences group) at HEC Lausanne and has been appointed first, for her scientific knowledge and way of approaching complex problems connected to information and communications technologies, artificial intelligence and the digitalization of society, but secondly for her humanist, transdisciplinary perspective. In her role as a member of the Commission, she offers advice to UNESCO and the Swiss authorities on the full range of issues associated with digital technology and contributes to the strategic development and implementation of UNESCO programmes.
“The 21st century is an era of science, technology and every technological possibility. But are these serving the living world, social progress and future generations? Alongside the infinite potential and hopes for a better world transformed by technology, it is fundamentally changing our reality on an unprecedented scale. Now more than ever, UNESCO can contribute to peacebuilding, eradicating poverty, sustainable development and intercultural dialogue. It is both my hope and my commitment.”, commented Professor Solange Ghernaouti.