10 Break-Out Sessions

  • Time: 3:30 pm - 4:30 pm

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A Demographic Revolution: Young India Takes Charge (with All India Management Association)
Speaker
Ritesh Agarwal, Founder and Chief Executive Officer, OYO Rooms
Pranjal Sharma (Topic Leader), Economic Analyst, Advisor and Author, India

India is undergoing its economic, technological and demographic transition simultaneously. An old country is becoming youthful and adventurous with the passage of time. Young Indians like OYO founder Ritesh Agarwal are quietly taking charge of Indian ethos by becoming icons of audacious aspirations and tangible proofs of its potential, spawning startups that are becoming most valuable and famous than many legacy companies. How can young revolutionaries find ways to carry the older generation of investors, regulators, workers and consumers with them and what can other economies and founders learn from India’s momentous transition?

Collaborative Advantage Across Generations: Reflecting on the SGS Experience (ISC Alumni)
Speaker
Former Members of the International Students' Comittee
Christoph Loos (Topic Leader), Chief ­Executive ­Offi­cer, Hilti AG
Vivian Bernet (Topic Leader), Head of the Organising Committe, International Students' Comittee
Watch Here

For over 50 years teams of student have volunteered to organise the St. Gallen Symposium. They have written countless invitations, met thousands of partners, and welcomed some of the most important personalities of their time on stage. Together with former members of the ISC we will reflect on the St. Gallen Symposium experience of cross-generational dialogue and collaboration, the lessons they have learned for their lives and on how the symposium has evolved. This session is organised together with ISC Alumni.

Collective Genius? Cultivating Creativity in the Arts and Beyond
Speaker
Susan Goldsworthy, Affiliate Professor of Leadership, Communications and Organizational Change, IMD Business School
Gerry Hofstetter, Light Artist & Film Producer Hofstetter Marketing
Javiera Estrada, Artist
Tatjana Rupp (Topic Leader), Member of the International Students' Committee

As the need for innovation is growing, the routinisation of well-structured creative processes within organizations is key for concurrent value creation. Prof. Susan Goldsworthy of IMD, this year's St. Gallen Symposium artist Javiera Estrada and Light Artist Gerry Hofstetter will discuss the role of collaboration in the creative process. Together, and in conversation with the audience, they’ll explore the way collaboration can drive creativity in various organisational contexts, and, on the other hand, the role of introversion and lone contemplation in creating something new.

Connecting Business with Purpose: The Potential of Skills-Based Volunteering
Speaker
Curdin Duschletta, Head Community Impact Switzerland & Foundations, UBS
Christopher Jarvis, Executive Director, RWInstitute
Prof. Amanda Shantz (Topic Leader), MBA Director and Professor of Management, University of St.Gallen

Many employee volunteering and giving programs are presented as an employee perk, similar to casual Fridays or a team-building event. But treating workplace giving and volunteering this way fails to fully capitalise on the great potential of such programs: to foster employee personal growth, and address key societal challenges. The panel will particularly explore the potential of skills-based volunteering, its benefits, and the unique challenges that arise when moving from merely transactional volunteering to something far more transformative.

Financing the Next Generation of Entrepreneurs
Speaker
Patrick Zhong, Founding Managing Partner, M31 Capital
Makram Azar, Founder and Chief Executive Officer, Full Circle Capital
Prof. Julia Binder (Topic Leader), Professor of Sustainable Innovation and Business Transformation, IMD Business School

The investment landscape over the next twenty years will be radically different from previous generations. While there appears to be greater access to capital, there also appears to be much more volatility and debt with no clear dominant financing mechanism. Entrepreneurs, VC, Private Equity, and banks will have to find new ways to work together to create growth and stimulate innovation. How can investors and entrepreneurs better collaborate and find mutually beneficial agreements that balance risk and return?

Hacking the Fashion & Luxury Watchmaking Industry towards more Sustainability (with Condé Nast College)
Speaker
Martina Bonnier, Editor-In-Chief, Vogue Scandinavia
Raynald Aeschlimann, President and CEO, Omega S.A
Carmen Jenny, Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer, CLOTHESfriends AG
Johannes Reponen (Topic Leader), Director of Post-Graduate Programmes; Academic Affairs; Research & Knowledge Exchange, Condé Nast College

The fashion industry accounts for 10% of humanity’s annual carbon emissions – more than all international flights and maritime shipping combined. For long, the fashion and luxury watchmaking industry drove, together with the fashion media industry, unsustainable dynamics in the sector: generating more and more demand through an artificial cycle of new collections and seasonal trends. Businesses’ marketing, media as well as influencers thereby create a constant longing and demand for their products. How can designers, fashion houses and publishers exit this vicious cycle and, collaboratively, drive the transition towards more sustainable and ethical fashion and luxury watchmaking?

M100 Sanssouci Colloquium@St. Gallen: Media’s New Power: More Impact Through Collaborative Journalism
Speaker
Mathias Müller von Blumencron, Journalist, Member of the Board, Tagesanzeiger and Advisory Board Member M100 Sanssouci Colloquium
Joanna Krawczyk, Chairwoman, Leading European Newspaper Alliance
Paul Radu, Investigative Journalist, Co-Founder OCCRP
Astrid Frohloff (Topic Leader), TV Presenter and Journalist, Advisory Board Member M100 Sanssouci Colloquium

Media diversity, freedom of the press and freedom of expression in Europe are currently under threat. Journalists and independent media companies are increasingly joining forces across borders to respond to such challenges as well as to be able to continue to offer independent quality journalism in the future. This session will identify learnings from new media partnerships such as the Leading European Newspaper Alliance (LENA) and the Organised Crime and Corruption Reporting Project (OCCRP) to identify how media can most effectively work together.

Democratizing Access to the next Generation of Technology and Innovation: Communities and Radical Transformation
Speaker
Gina Loften, Member of the Board of Trustees, TIAA
Luzius Meisser, Chairman, Bitcoin Suisse
Tycho Onnasch, General Manager, Trust Machines
Shuo Chen (Topic Leader), General Partner, IOVC

Technology, innovation, and entrepreneurship are key drivers of the modern economy and social mobility. Given their importance, we should strive to improve accessibility to tech, education and entrepreneurship across all backgrounds. Creating open and inclusive communities, especially with tech is important to accomplishing this goal, but it is easier said that done. Simultaneously, a third iteration of the internet – Web3 – has the potential to radically transform the internet of things and reduce barriers to access. How can these forces be effectively harnessed and directed for the benefit of all people and move the world forward?

Varieties of Tech Capitalism: Europe's Approach to Innovation and Regulation in a Global Context
Speaker
Julian Teicke, Founder and Chief Executive Officer, wefox
Lisa-Marie Fassl, Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer, Female Founders
Christoph Keese (Topic Leader), Managing Partner and Chief Executive Officer, hy

Over the past decades, the tech sector, especially the internet of things, has become a central component of modern economies. Trying to catch up with the exponential pace of technological development, the US, China, and Europe are crafting rules of the game on digital markets. What are the emerging characteristic differences between regulatory regimes of digital markets, in the US, Europe and beyond, and how do they balance innovation and regulation? In light of strategic competition over tech dominance between the US and China, what are the opportunities and challenges for Europe in particular?

Changed for Good? Engaging with the New World of Work
Speaker
Petra von Strombeck, Chief Executive Officer, New Work SE
Jean-Christophe Deslarzes, Chair of the Board, Adecco Group
Nat Ware, Founder & CEO Forte
Prof. Heike Bruch (Topic Leader), Director, Institute for Leadership and Human Resources Management, University of St. Gallen
Watch Here

The Covid-19 pandemic has changed the world of work forever. The fast and widespread adoption of remote work and an ever-increasing concern of employees with purpose and meaning on their job have intensified the war for talents. Reaching out to and concurrently engaging employees is key for businesses across sectors and regions. What learnings can be drawn from the pandemic as regards our approach to work? Has the world of work changed for the better? And what role does leadership culture and a new approach to hiring play going forward?

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by joining the ISC Journey

We, the St. Gallen Symposium, are the leading global initiative for cross-generational dialogue. Become part of the International Students’ Committee and join a team of 30 highly motivated students who commit themselves to our purpose: connecting different generations through dialogue. By giving our generation a voice, we contribute to positive change in the world. Members of the ISC invest in their own future by being a part of this unique learning experience.

Statements about the ISC

“The International Students’ Committee was the opportunity for me to get out of my comfort zone and grow as a young adult. As during this period you get to know the other team members from their best but also their worst side, real friendships are formed that last forever. Some of the team members are still my closest friends today and therefore an extremely important part of my life.”

LIVIA HÖHENER (ISC ALUMNA)
Managing Director France, Bühler Group

“l always enjoy the exchange with members of the International Students’ Committee (ISC) and find it inspiring and fruitful. I experience the members of the ISC as young professionals with manifold interests that are eager to increase their knowledge and network. They pursue a critical but constructive mindset and actively want to foster sustainable progress in a global context.”

CARL ELSENER (HSG ALUMNUS)
Chief Executive Officer, Victorinox AG

“My ISC Experience has taught me how much energy you can activate when you rally everybody behind a common goal as well as the amazing value of excellent teamwork”

DR CHRISTOPH LOOS (ISC ALUMNUS)
Chief Executive Officer, Hilti Group

“They are young, ambitious, self-reflective, and polite – simply professional. Each and every individual plays at highest level. I always enjoy the meetings with these certainly high-class students.”

URS M. KRÄMER
Chief Commercial Officer, T-Systems

“Three things: mindset, mindset, mindset. For the idea. For protecting and building a trusted space for dialogue. And for understanding that you can only benefit when you contribute.”

DR STEVEN ALTHAUS (ISC ALUMNUS)
Former Head Global Marketing, BMW & Credit Suisse

“My studies at the University of St.GaIIen have laid the professional foundation for my career. But it is the time as a member of the organising committee of the ISC Symposium that has taught me about team work and entrepreneurial thinking. And beyond that, I am very fortunate to still today count quite a few of the like-minded individuals whom I have met during that period amongst my closest friends and companions.”

TIM SCHIFFERS (ISC ALUMNUS)
Chief Executive Officer, Parship Group

“When I first heard about the ISC Symposium I thought they were nuts. How could a group of students invite these high ranking people and they would actually show up. But I learned that people on a mission with a healthy disregard for the impossible can move mountains. Probably one of my most important learnings for later in life.”

STEFANIE WITTE (ISC ALUMNA)
Head of Business & Operations, Chrome OS, DACH & Northern Europe


The ISC Experience

Professional Development

  • Drive innovative projects to creat new customer journeys and be responsible for technological innovation at the St. Gallen Symposium
  • Lead projects with our main partners and get in touch with top entreprises
  • Be trained to engage with a global network of top executives and global leaders
  • Learn how to navigate software and programs to create eye-catching media
  • Get to know the brilliant minds and visionaries of our generation and enable them to share their ideas at the St. Gallen Symposium
  • Practice your hard skills for future internships and jobs
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  • Receive professional training that will further your expertise and help you in future work situations
Alisa Steiner at the Singapore Reception
Francesca Scardapane, Noe van Messel and Kaylin Barell at the Swiss Reception
Johannes Vogl at the Austrian Recpetion
Team Event at SwissRe with CEO Christian Mumenthaler

Personal Development

  • Work with 30 other motivated students every day and make friends for life
  • Learn to strive under pressure with high responsibility
  • Experience team spirit and learn to create excellent results together
  • Get to know yourself and how you work best in team environments
  • Become part of our very engaged 50-year old ISC Alumni Network consisting of over 1000 members, among them some of the most successful leaders of our time
  • Make amazing memeories with your team members in various team events and getaways
  • Benefit from our sponsors and partners and all the goodies we receive
  • Receive unmatched responsibility in the early stages of your career
  • Have the best year of your life!

Application Process

First Wave of Applications (Full Year Teamie)

APPLY NOW!

  • Apply until 7 April 2024
  • Interview in March/April 2024
  • Decision by April 2024
  • Start Mid-September 2024

Second Wave of Applications (Full Year Teamie)

  • Apply until 2 June 2024
  • Interview in June 2024
  • Decision by the beginning of July 2024
  • Start Mid-September 2024

Apply as an Operations Teamie (Half Year Option)

  • Apply until mid-November
  • Start in February 2024
  • Become part of the 53rd ISC

Get an Insight into the Everyday Life of the ISC

«Ein neuer Generationenvertrag»: Einblick hinter die Kulissen des 52. St.Gallen Symposiums, Universität St.Gallen (HSG)

Meet the 52nd ISC Team