#13 Anna Stünzi - Think tank leader and climate expert : a lesson of commitment

Anna Stünzi is the president of Foraus, the Swiss think tank dedicated to foreign policy and a researcher at the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research... But that's not all. At barely 30, the young woman is also the founder of a solar energy start up, and a member of the board of Gemeinsam Znacht, an association that looks after the integration of migrants.

If I had to define Anna in one word, I would say "committed". Two themes in particular are dear to her: environment and migration. 

In this discussion, Anna explains why her work in the private sector and in associations has always been an excellent way to feed her academic research, and vice versa. We talk about her mission as the president of the Foraus and I question her about the concrete impact of think tanks on public policies. 

Together we also talk about the status of women in the male-dominated world of academic research and how universities should adapt to the modern world. Anna, who also dances one hour everyday, shares with me her secrets for remaining productive and managing so many activities at the same time. 

As you will have understood, Anna is definitely inspiring and enriching, that kind of personality you don't meet every day. So plug in your headphones: its time for the new episode of Brillantes!  

Time Codes 

03:48 The inspiring women around Anna

04:59 Dancing as a passion

06:06 A happy childhood close to Zurich, 

Getting engaged for the environment 

07:47 Sensitised to environmental issues from at young age… and while travelling 

10:11 Studying psychology and economy

12:26 What working and association experiences bring to research 

13:27 The importance of organisation: Anna’s tips  

14:58 Being able to change plans and adapt to new situations 

16:53 Environment, the topic of our generation 

20:20 Working on Solar Impulse with The Swiss Clean Tech Association 

23:53 Becoming a young entrepreneur in solar energy  

27:19 Understand the basis of the Swiss energy mix 

The President of the Foraus 

30:36 Defining what is a think tank 

32:16 Foraus: a grassroots and inclusive think tank 

34:43 Policy Kitchen: a collaborative platform 

35:50 The most important topics for Switzerland 

38:44 Understanding the concrete impact of Foraus on Swiss public policies

42:40 How research at Foraus and university complement each other 

43:48 The role and mission of the President of Foraus   

46:10 When Foraus publications are influencing politics 

47:13 Being a woman in academia 

52:24 Anna’s question to Sarah Sringman, Rector of the ETH

54:09 Anna’s action at Gemeinsam Znacht

57:32 Final questions 

Links and references 

To follow Anna: 

• Linkedin : https://www.linkedin.com/in/anna-st%C3%BCnzi-93391b8b/

To follow Foraus, the Swiss forum on Foreign Policy 

• Website: www.foraus.ch
• Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/company/foraus---forum-aussenpolitik/
• Instagram: www.instagram.com/foraus/?hl=fr
• Facebook: www.facebook.com/forausthinktank
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/foraus

 Foraus publications that Anna talks about in the podcast: 

• Publications of the Europe thematic group: https://www.foraus.ch/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/20200930_Der-bilaterale-Weg_WEB.pdf and https://www.foraus.ch/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/FlaM_versionWEB.pdf
• Publication about the role of cities in international policymaking, taken up by Geneva: https://www.foraus.ch/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/foraus-Mega-Cities.pdf
• Last publication: “The Arctic, closer than you think” : https://www.foraus.ch/publications/switzerland-and-the-arctic-closer-than-you-think/

Other organisations in which Anna is involved

• Gemeinsam Znacht: https://www.gemeinsamznacht.ch
• Her company, GOE solar: www.goe.ch/

Women Anna is mentioning during the episode : 

• Kirsten Dunlop, CEO of Climate-Kic: www.climate-kic.org/
• Lea Hungerbühler, Rechtsberaterin, Präsidentin at Asylex: www.asylex.ch/?donate
• Nikki Böhler, Founder of Mindfulmoney: www.mindfulmoney.ch/

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Photo: credits to Anne Gabriel-Jürgens (http://gabriel-juergens.net )

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