Virtual Forum cinfo 2021
For the first time online, Forum cinfo 2021 was a two-day collaborative and interactive event. The online format allowed participants to join the event regardless of their location. More professionals based abroad benefited than ever before.
Forum cinfo 2021 at a glance
Forum cinfo is the Swiss event on work and careers in international cooperation.
- Over two days, around 1000 participants – from highly experienced professionals to young graduates – explored career and further education opportunities with some 50 institutions, interacted with their representatives at virtual booths and held one-on-one meetings.
- The virtual forum had a diverse programme. Many “elephants” (as one participant defined them) from the field of international cooperation took to the stage and joined in the sessions. More than 60 speakers addressed various topics relevant to developing skills and advancing a career in the sector.
We hope that, like us, you enjoyed this virtual forum and have since reflected and further developed your ideas.
Below you will find podcasts and blog articles that capture some of the forum's contributions.
Positioning your career in a post-pandemic world
Michael Emery, HR Director of IOM-UN Migration, engages in a tough talk with journalist Nicoletta Cimmino on (post-)Covid realities and best practices for both organisations and individuals. He talks about how to position your career in a post-pandemic world.
What is it like to work in conflict zones and remain healthy and happy – especially after returning from the field?
Karin Hofmann had worked several years in conflict zones with the ICRC. She talks about her most challenging experiences, how she copes with what she saw, and how she re-integrated into Swiss working life.
What is it like to work in UN operations? How to get there and never lose the focus on the beneficiaries we serve
Farook Doomun, Deputy Representative for Operations at UNICEF talks about his experience in fragile humanitarian settings like Afghanistan and what it takes to make a real contribution to improving people’s lives.
Multilateral organisations: careers for professionals living with disabilities
To address professionals living with disabilities, the Forum cinfo 2021 hosted a session dedicated to UN work opportunities for persons with disabilities. Two HR professionals – Aoife Meehan from the UN Development Coordination Office (DCO) and Lykke Andersen from the UN Development Programme (UNDP) – laid out what the UN is doing and offered concrete advice on how persons with disabilities can make themselves visible to UN recruiters.
Medair: our diversity and inclusion journey
During the Forum cinfo 2021, Medair held a session to discuss their organisational journey towards integrating Diversity and Inclusion as a strategic objective. This story recounts the events leading up to this decision, and gives practical examples of actions which can be taken to promote Diversity and Inclusion.
What is it like to change your career at the age of 35 and start working in international cooperation?
At the age of 35, Tony Zuber changed his career and started working in international cooperation abroad. In this interview, he talks about his motivation to do so, what it takes to be prepared and shares some useful advice.
What is it like to work in Impact Investing?
Eva Tschannen is Head of Technical Assistance at the impact investment firm, ResponsAbility. She talks about sustainable finance, what she does in her job, what led her to work there and why she likes the private sector approach to international cooperation.
What is it like to work abroad and find your place in an international team?
As an expat, it is not always easy to find your place in a new team in a foreign country – Anvar Sabzaliev has experienced this and shares his observations and recommendations with you.
What is it like to work as a humanitarian health worker for an NGO in the Democratic Republic of Congo?
Since finishing nursing school, Rebecca had the idea of being a humanitarian health worker. She joined us for a virtual session at the Forum cinfo 2021 from a bar with an internet connection in Goma (DRC), where she was sheltering during a storm. She tells us more about her experience.
Combining family life with a career in international cooperation (1)
During the Forum cinfo 2021, we held a session to discuss the challenges and opportunities associated with raising a family while working in international development. The son of a Swiss diplomat mother and a development professional father, Matteo Marti views his experience in an almost wholly positive light.
Combining family life with a career in international cooperation (2)
During the Forum cinfo 2021 we held a session to discuss the challenges and opportunities associated with raising a family whilst working in international development. In this, the second of three blogs exploring the experiences of different individuals, we focus on the perspective of an accompanying spouse, Jan Perret-Gentil.
Combining family life with a career in international cooperation (3)
This is the third of three blogs exploring the challenges and opportunities associated with raising a family whilst working in international development. Here we focus on how Silvia Danailov has succeeded in juggling work and family in her career with UNICEF.
