2024 GISA Election Debate: Highlights from Day 1

By Vedika Pillai, News Editor of The Graduate Press

The 2024 GISA Election debates officially began, which provided a platform for candidates vying for roles such as the Treasurer, President of the Professional Development Committee, and Events Coordinator to present their strategies and visions.

Treasurer Candidates Outline Financial Strategies

The first day of the debate saw the Treasurer candidates Abubacarr Kanagie and Anthony Toscano articulate their visions for the financial management of GISA. Each candidate showcased a distinct approach towards ensuring efficiency and inclusivity in handling GISA’s finances.

Abubacarr Kanagie, a 1st Year MINT student specialising in Sustainable Trade & Finance, emphasised his commitment to increase transparency and expediency relating to funds. His proposal included an automated reimbursement system for students, promising quick processing. Holding an MBA and possessing five years of professional experience in The Gambia, he promises to maintain clear and accessible financial records, ensuring students are always informed about the budget status.

Anthony Toscano, a 1st Year MINT student with a focus on Human Rights & Humanitarianism, emphasised his local insights from Geneva, which he aims to leverage to increase GISA’s funding sources. Anthony reiterated his objectives: enhancing partnerships with local businesses, creating new networking channels, and fostering community engagement through innovative financial strategies. “As Vice President of PDC, I’ve used negotiation daily. From securing funding to organising large events like the PDC Giveaway without direct funding from GISA,” he explained, drawing on his professional work in accounting in Geneva to manage finances creatively.

Both candidates acknowledged the importance of external funding. Abubacarr discussed his strategy to approach organisations that align with IHEID’s goals or sustainability indicators. Anthony elaborated on leveraging existing collaborations and exploring new ones to enhance GISA’s financial pool.

When asked about their priorities if elected, Abubacarr emphasised his focus on listening to students and adapting financial strategies based on real-time feedback. Quoting Epictetus, “We have two ears and one mouth,” he says, “I promise to be a good listener to truly understand and represent your needs.” Anthony stressed the importance of establishing a reliable reimbursement process early in his tenure to build trust and ensure financial operations run smoothly from the start.

Presidential Candidates for the Professional Development Committee Debate: Vision and Innovation

The GISA Election debate continued with an engaging discussion for the presidency of the Professional Development Committee. Ann Tressa Pearlju, along with co-candidates Isabel Cassidy Soto and Grecia Pillaca, presented their distinct plans.

Ann, a 1st Year MINT student in Conflict, Peace, and Security, detailed her commitment to unlocking professional spaces often perceived as inaccessible. Ann emphasised her experience within the PDC, as the director for operations, proposing to expand its offerings to include more expert-led workshops and Q&A sessions to aid with navigating administrative processes like work permits and visas. She highlighted her goal to increase access to the valuable resources PDC provides, ensuring they are more inclusive and beneficial to all students. “My aim is to build on the solid foundation we’ve already set,” Ann explained, reflecting on her past year’s experience and the institutional knowledge she has gathered.

On the other hand, Isabel and Grecia, running for a co-presidency, offered a vision of collaborative leadership aimed at broadening the PDC’s reach and impact. Both candidates bring a diverse background of international experience ranging from public health to humanitarian work, which they plan to utilise to expand the committee’s influence. They discussed their strategy to democratise information, especially paid opportunities, ranging from funded projects to remunerated internships. They proposed expanding PDC’s digital communication platforms to better promote opportunities, but also supplement it with useful information, like average stipends and salaries, leveraging experiences from alumni and networks. “Our goal is to ensure every student finds opportunities that reflect their unique backgrounds and professional aspirations, and there’s information tailored to real-world needs.”

The debate highlighted each candidate’s approach to addressing current gaps in the PDC’s operations. Ann focused on streamlining access to resources and encouraging advocacy on PDC activities, like including certificates for workshops or diverse networking opportunities. Isabel and Grecia advocated for comprehensive reforms to how the committee disseminates information and facilitates access to professional opportunities.

During the question-and-answer session, students inquired about the candidates’ plans for innovation within the PDC. Ann detailed her proactive engagement with the student community, discussing how she intends to tailor the committee’s offerings based on direct feedback to better meet their needs. Isabel and Grecia highlighted the advantages of their co-presidency, focusing on how their combined skills would cover many facets of the committee’s management, from enhancing communication strategies to expanding professional networks.

As the debate drew to a close, each candidate reiterated their dedication to enhancing the professional development opportunities available to students, promising to foster an environment where every student could find the tools and support needed to succeed in their respective career paths.

Events Coordinator Candidate Proposes Inclusive Community Events

Rounding out the debate, Khanh-Phan Trinh, so far the sole candidate for Events Coordinator. A request for co-candidacy was not possible, eliminating the other candidates. Since this was unprecedented, as no scope allows for this in the GISA Statutes and By-laws, the Events Coordinator position remains open for nominations until May 2nd, midnight.

Khanh discussed his background in event management with international organisations. His plans included cultural potlucks to celebrate diversity, end-of-semester BBQs to foster community spirit, and comprehensive onboarding guides to streamline event planning. Additionally, Khanh plans to extend the reach of the Institute’s events beyond by forging partnerships with local universities like UNIGE to enhance the visibility and diversity of campus events, enriching the cultural and social experiences available to students.

When asked about practical aspects of the role, such as negotiating with the housing administration, he assured attendees, “I am a responsive person and will ensure smooth communication.” He also expressed openness to collaborate with regional initiatives in hopes to enrich the cultural and social experiences available to students.

The next debate is set to happen on the following day, with voting to take place starting 3rd May 2024.