GISA Autumn Election 2024 Candidate Profiles: Leila Joutet & Shubhika Tagore for Environmental Committee Co-Presidents

In conversation with Leila Joutet & Shubhika Tagore (Second-year MINT Students)

Q. What makes you the ideal candidate for the role of Co-Presidents of the Environmental Committee?

For the past year, we’ve gone above and beyond our roles as Co-Directors of Communications for the Environmental Committee. Our proactive approach stems from our passion for environmental action and sustainability, and our deep belief in the potential of the Environmental Committee to be the platform to raise awareness and empower students to engage in these issues at IHEID actively. However, we don’t just see the committee as a platform for environmental advocacy; we see it as a powerful space for collaboration, where students can take ownership of sustainable initiatives.

We’ve already begun laying the groundwork for this academic year by building trust and fostering a supportive environment among our team members, both current and incoming. Our experience has also prepared us for the dual responsibilities of serving as co-presidents under GISA. We are fully aware of the challenges ahead, but we are ready to face them with the same commitment and enthusiasm we’ve shown over the past year.

Additionally, by engaging in extensive dialogue with past presidents and vice presidents, we’ve gained invaluable insights into the committee’s successes, challenges, and areas for improvement. Our vision for the Environmental Committee is rooted in a deep understanding of its history and a commitment to its future. We are committed to building upon the committee’s legacy while adapting our strategies to meet the evolving needs and interests of our student community.

Q. What are the three most pressing environmental issues on your agenda, and how would you tackle them?

It’s always a challenge to narrow down the most pressing environmental issues, especially when one is so deeply aware of the vast range of global concerns. As advocates for sustainability, we’ve chosen three key areas where we believe we can make a significant impact within our context: food waste, sustainable clothing consumption and recycling. These are issues we are passionate about, and through our experiences and platforms, we aim to create change.

For Shubhika, food waste is a critical issue that she has dedicated much of her professional journey to addressing. Her work in agribusiness, consulting with the Food Corporation of India, and volunteering at La Farce, an association offering free groceries to students in Geneva, has given her firsthand experience with the challenges of food loss. On campus, she would advocate for changes in our cafeteria’s practices. This includes promoting reusable dishware, implementing sustainable packaging, and improving the ‘Save the Food’ program. Also aiming to push for better waste disposal systems to ensure that our food waste management aligns with sustainability goals. Reducing food waste not only benefits the environment but also supports food security.

For Leïla, although many industries contribute to environmental and social challenges, the fast fashion industry is especially concerning due to its frequent consumption patterns and its severe environmental and human rights abuses. She has personally reduced her clothing consumption to nearly zero over the past six years. However, tackling this issue requires more than individual effort—it demands collective awareness and action. The environmental degradation and exploitation within fast fashion are often forgotten. To address this on campus, we plan to organize second-hand clothing swaps, sustainable fashion workshops, and create a resource bank that offers students practical alternatives. Our aim is to create an inclusive, non-judgmental space where students can make conscious, informed choices—because meaningful change comes through understanding, not criticism.

Recycling is a vital, yet often overlooked, environmental issue. When we fail to recycle, waste builds up in landfills, depleting natural resources and increasing energy consumption. Non-recycled materials, such as plastic and paper, contribute significantly to pollution and greenhouse gas emissions. To combat this, we will foster collaboration with the Target Initiative, which has already been working to address this issue. Together, we will improve recycling on campus by placing clear signage on bins in GM and Picciotto, running workshops, and launching awareness campaigns. Our aim is to make recycling more accessible and intuitive, while fostering a campus culture that prioritizes sustainability. By simplifying the process and increasing transparency, we can significantly reduce the need for raw materials and decrease the strain on natural resources.

These priorities—waste reduction, sustainable consumption, and resource management—are central to our vision for a more sustainable world, starting from our campus and extending globally. They reflect our core values and commitment to sustainable practices, as well as the actionable initiatives we plan to introduce. By connecting these global issues to local action, we aim to inspire collective responsibility and drive lasting, impactful change within our community, showing that meaningful environmental solutions can begin right here.

Q. What specific sustainability and environmental initiatives would you prioritize for our campus, and how would you engage the student body to take an active role in these efforts? 

To prioritize sustainability and environmental initiatives on campus, we will focus on three key areas that directly address student concerns and foster an active culture of environmental responsibility.

First, recognizing the confusion surrounding recycling practices, we will partner with the Target Initiative to implement comprehensive recycling education. This includes hands-on workshops, informational campaigns, and increased visibility of recycling guidelines across campus and student housing.

Second, to address concerns about single-use plastics, we will advocate for the return of reusable dishware in the cafeteria. We also aim to actively engage with cafeteria management and develop a sustainable and practical implementation plan that reduces food waste.

Third, building upon the success of previous initiatives, such as the ‘Save the Food’ program to reduce food waste, SCOOP, and the second-hand market. By collaborating with other student initiatives we will develop strategies to promote these programmes and ensure their effectiveness and continuity.

Finally, to ensure our initiatives remain student-driven, we will create opportunities for open dialogue through regular town halls and social media engagement. These platforms will allow students to voice their concerns, provide feedback, and contribute to shaping our sustainability agenda.

Q. What leadership style do you plan to adopt in this role, and how does your past experience influence your approach?

We believe a supportive leadership style is the most effective for the Environmental Committee. In our previous roles, we’ve seen that empathy, active listening, and regular team check-ins create an open, trust-based environment where members feel heard and empowered.

Supportive leadership means that we’ll always be available to offer guidance, while also giving the team the space to take ownership of their projects. We wish to foster a culture of creativity, initiative, and synergy, ensuring that our vision for the committee remains aligned with its mission: advocating for sustainability, fostering student engagement, and building meaningful partnerships.”

Our past experiences—whether managing projects, organizing campaigns, or leading initiatives—have shown us that balancing leadership with collaboration is key to building an inclusive and impactful team. We are here to provide direction and motivation while ensuring that every team member’s voice and ideas are valued.

Q. How will you leverage each other’s strengths as co-presidents to enhance the impact of the Environmental Committee’s initiatives?

Our complementary strengths will form a dynamic and effective leadership team for the Environmental Committee. Leïla’s extensive experience in student associations, her leadership in campaigns like plastic reduction, and her role as Co-Regional Lead of Swiss Youth for Climate will be invaluable in building partnerships, engaging students, and amplifying our message.

Shubhika’s project coordination experience, particularly working in policy in governmental organizations in India, brings a structured and results-driven approach to executing our initiatives. Her organizational and strategic skills will ensure that our projects are not only impactful but also implemented smoothly and effectively. Her expertise in stakeholder engagement will also be a valuable asset in the committee’s outreach efforts.

Together, we will leverage our complementary strengths and build upon the strong working relationship we have established over the past year. We are committed to maintaining this positive dynamic while taking on the increased responsibilities of co-presidents.

Q. As co-presidents, how would you describe your team dynamics, and what methods will you use to ensure effective collaboration?

As friends and colleagues, our year of close collaboration has deepened our understanding of each other. The mutual trust and respect that we share have fostered a collaborative, respectful, and efficient working environment. While facing challenges together has strengthened our partnership, our ability to navigate them successfully is a testament to our teamwork.

To ensure effective collaboration, we will continue to prioritize clear communication, regular check-ins, and an open environment where everyone feels valued. Our shared transparency has been instrumental in our ability to work collaboratively and achieve our goals.

With our shared experience and vision, our leadership approach will be grounded in trust, empathy, and support. We are committed to empowering every team member to contribute their unique perspectives and skills. By leveraging our individual strengths and remaining adaptable, we are confident in our ability to drive the Environmental Committee’s initiatives forward, making a significant impact on campus and beyond.

Editor’s Note: Responses have been edited for clarity.

Voting is open now and will close on October 10 at 10:30 a.m. We encourage all students to participate and cast their votes!