Inside Geneva
Inside Geneva is a podcast about global politics, humanitarian issues, and international aid, hosted by journalist Imogen Foulkes. It is produced by SWI swissinfo.ch, a multilingual international public service media company from Switzerland.
Episodes
165 episodes
Inside Geneva: Are we throwing away international law?
On Inside Geneva this week: what does international law mean to you?“When your government is not there to uphold your rights, it’s that safety net – to think that there’s something else out there, other sets of rules that can help right ...
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38:01
Inside Geneva: is climate change the forgotten crisis?
COP30 has ended without a firm commitment to phase out fossil fuels. Inside Geneva talks to some campaigners who remain surprisingly optimistic.“I’m actually quite hopeful, and I think that the answer is probably coming from the countrie...
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31:40
War and the press
How do journalists report on war when they’re denied access?“For the first time I think since the Second World War, Israel has not allowed foreign journalists to come into Gaza. This is unprecedented,” says Israeli journalist Meron Rapop...
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36:57
Taking the pulse of the UN at 80
This week on Inside Geneva, we take the pulse of the United Nations as it turns 80.“Someone celebrating their 80th birthday cannot be expected to be in tip-top shape. The UN is an old lady,” says Corinne Momal-Vanian, executive ...
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42:45
Are Democracies Copying Russia's Repressive Playbook?
On our Inside Geneva podcast this week, we ask: are other countries following Russia’s lead in cracking down on freedom of expression?“I feel as though I’m monitoring a repression handbook used by the Russian government against its own c...
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30:12
Inside Geneva’s final summer profile: ICRC physiotherapist Rieke Hayes
This week, in the final episode of our Summer Profiles series on the Inside Geneva podcast, host Imogen Foulkes talks to Irish physiotherapist Rieke Hayes, who now works in Gaza for the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC).“I ...
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27:50
Is the UN still relevant at 80?
The United Nations General Assembly has officially opened and the organisation marked its 80th anniversary. Inside Geneva asks whether the body remains relevant. “If you're a refugee in Bangladesh, or seeking protection in...
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30:27
Inside Geneva’s Summer Profiles: Stéphane Jaquemet
On World Humanitarian Day, Inside Geneva spoke to a man who has dedicated his life to humanitarian work. He grew up in a quiet Swiss village – so what inspired him to take this path?“When I was young, I quickly realised that many people ...
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29:57
Inside Geneva’s Summer Profiles: the Red Cross Museum
Inside Geneva’s fourth summer profile – not a person, but a much-loved museum.“In this museum, we ask an essential question: what does humanitarian action have to do with me, in my life, here and now?” says Pascal Hufschmid, director of ...
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25:47
Inside Geneva's Summer Profiles: Rachael Cummings in Gaza
Rachael Cummings of Save the Children is Inside Geneva’s summer profile this week. “When I went into nursing, I also wanted to travel, so nursing gave me that opportunity. That was sort of an 18-year-old thinking, ‘Okay, I can use ...
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30:38
Inside Geneva's Summer Profiles: A Conversation with international lawyer Dapo Akande
Inside Geneva brings you our second summer profile, with international lawyer Dapo Akande.“I’m one of those boring people who actually always wanted to be a lawyer. I’m not sure exactly what the motivation was when I was younger, but I t...
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27:41
Inside Geneva's Summer Profiles: Tammam Aloudat
Inside Geneva’s Summer Profiles are back! In this episode we talk to Tammam Aloudat, doctor, aid worker and now journalist. “I was born in Syria, and I spent most of my life there until my mid-20s. I studied there; I went to medical...
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32:37
War, Peace and Cake: The World in 2025
2025 has been a year of conflict, upheaval, and huge challenges to the international system. Gunilla von Hall, Svenskadagbladet: "It all started downhill from 20th of January. Since then, it's just, well, ‘the Ukraine war will be ov...
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42:10
Gaza's Aid Crisis: The Failed Militarization of Humanitarian Relief
Israel blocked aid into Gaza for 10 weeks. Then the US and Israel came up with a new plan – without the United Nations. Established aid agencies had doubts. Inside Geneva finds out why.Jan Egeland,secretary general, Norwegian Refugee Cou...
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32:42
Inside Geneva: pandemics and climate change, can multilateralism still work?
The world just agreed a pandemic treaty. But without the United States. Is it really a milestone?‘‘It is a major step forward. I mean, just imagine if we failed. We would not only go back to the point before the pandemic, before COVID-19...
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32:08
Toxic masculinity and the rollback of gender equality
It’s been 30 years since the Beijing Declaration on Women, a landmark agreement to empower women and girls.“The Beijing declaration was such an incredible moment to say that enough is enough. Women are half of humanity and we have to be ...
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32:12
Women, girls and cuts to humanitarian aid
On Inside Geneva this week, aid agencies count the costs of funding cuts. “I am most sad for all the millions of people living with HIV and affected by HIV whose lives have been upended. They have lost access to life-saving medicati...
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43:14
Multilateralism, the Global South and the future
On Inside Geneva this week, we ask whether the United Nations (UN) and multilateralism have a future.“Is the UN anachronistic? I mean, it was formed after the Second World War. Obviously, it’s getting a little bit dusty,” says political ...
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33:21
Democratic rights and freedoms at a crossroads?
The world is changing fast. Are democracy and human rights under threat? Our Inside Geneva podcast takes a deep dive.“Donald Trump is unravelling the constitution, where I believe we could describe this as a coup d'état,” says human righ...
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34:32
Inside Geneva: where are women's voices in peace talks?
In Ukraine, and in the Middle East, men say they are negotiating peace. But are they?“Ending war is necessary to peace without a doubt, but ending war does not mean peace. So, whenever these men use the word ‘peace’ in order to say ‘ceas...
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39:50
Books to make you think 2025: Are Human Rights Being Ripped Away?
On Inside Geneva this week, we take a step back from the breaking news and talk to the authors of two books about the better side of humanity.“The defence of human rights is not a matter of holding a candle and singing Kumbaya. The defen...
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39:25
US-Russia talks on Ukraine: peace or appeasement?
On the third anniversary of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, Inside Geneva has some big questions about the US-Russia talks this week on ending the war in Ukraine.“Is this really a peace deal or is it just a deal about money? Or is it even ...
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35:00