Versatile public programme in the spring 2025

Starting on 17 February 2025, the HSG public programme invites you to take part in an active academic exchange between HSG professors, external faculty and a broad, cross-generational audience.

Three topics in focus

Three topics are highlighted in the flyer for the spring semester of 2025 (in German):

• UEFA Women's EURO 2025: St.Gallen's opportunities and challenges – economy, politics, region (lecture in German)
  The UEFA Women's EURO 2025 will take place in Switzerland from 2 to 27 July 2025. St.Gallen is one of eight venues. In this context, faculty members are discussing the economic opportunities and the impact of the European Championship on the city and region of St.Gallen with regional leaders, including Christine Bolt from the Olma Messen.
• On sensors, AI and cryptography: how computer science shapes our everyday lives (lecture in German)
  Digital technologies have long been part of our everyday lives. Artificial intelligence (AI) is used in many areas – from chatbots like ChatGPT to medical diagnostics, where it is used to analyse X-ray images, for example. Apps and algorithms get their data feed from sensors. But they are also used in computer games. Finally, cryptography is used in encryption and supports online transactions.
• Politics of friendship (lecture in German)
  What is politics? Political philosophy offers two possible answers: politics is not just a struggle for power, in which decisions are made about friend and foe, as well as life and death. It can also be understood as a sphere of joint negotiation in which equality and diversity are recognised. These contrary approaches are once again colliding violently in the current world situation. 

World Affairs: Past, Present, Future 

In addition to the current focus topics, numerous lecture series also offer insight into different historical periods.

• Die vorkoloniale Welt (lecture in German)
  What was society, the economy and culture like in the precolonial world before European expansion forced new orders?
• Swiss migration history in the 20th century (lecture in German)
  How did historical migration movements and political initiatives influence today's understanding of belonging and integration in Switzerland?
• Russia in the 20th Century: “The First Wave” of Russian Emigration (1917-1939) (lecture in German) 
  How did the first wave of Russian emigration after the October Revolution of 1917 influence the culture, literature and identity of the Russian diaspora in Western Europe?
• Land for those who care for and work it – access to land in Latin America (lecture in Spanish) 
  How does the unequal distribution of land in Latin America shape society, the economy and the environment to this day, and what historical struggles and cultural expressions bear witness to this conflict?
• British Politics & Society: Immigration, Brexit and the Political Power Game
  How does the colonial legacy, Brexit and the migration debate shape Britain's identity and future in a changing world?
• What future does democracy have? Challenges and solutions (lecture in German)     
  How can democratic systems be made resilient against the challenges of autocracies, disinformation and declining political trust?

Annual highlights

Some lecture series are an integral part of our programme:

• "St.Gallen Symposium in Town" (programme to follow)
• "St.Gallen Health Forum" (lecture in German) 

The Public Programme reflects the potential of HSG – with topics ranging from business, law and politics to computer science, history, art and society. It often focuses on St.Gallen and the region.

Flyer and calendar of events

You can now find out about our programme in the compact form of a flyer rather than a brochure. This will give you a quick overview of all the lectures. Course descriptions and details can be found in the usual detail on the website of the Public Programme.

Application for admission: only required for online lectures 

An application for admission is required for those public lectures that (only) take place online: unisg.ch/de/news/veranstaltungen/oeffentliche-vorlesungen/

Semester pass for CHF 20

Attendance is free of charge for members of the University of St.Gallen, students, faculty and staff. Interested parties may attend the first lecture in a series free of charge.

Flyers and semester passes can be ordered from oeffentlichesprogramm@unisg.ch or by calling +41 71 224 33 39 (Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 9:00-11:00 am).