Virtual education in a social distancing world

Geneva Centre for Security Policy (GCSP)

Virtual education in a social distancing world is episode 2 in the new GCSP Podcast Series. Dr Paul Vallet interviews Ms Alexandra Thiry, Head of Learning Innovation and Impact at the GCSP. They discuss virtual education, trends, innovation and learning methodology. Here are some resources she references in this podcast: - https://sealifelong.web.app/ - TOPP Competencies for Live Online Trainers Source: LaBorie, K./Stone, T. 2015: Interact and Engage, ATD Press, pp 114-116 - https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/virtual-leadership-development-1-joel-nielsen/?trk=public_profile_article_view Dr Paul Vallet: Welcome to the Geneva Centre for Security Policy podcast. Thank you for tuning in. I'm your host Dr Paul Vallet, Associate Fellow with the GCSP Global Fellowship Initiative. I will accompany you on the next 12 weeks to explain some of the latest global issues affecting peace, security, and international cooperation. Speaking with subject matter experts following with our examination of a year of disruptions caused by the global COVID-19 pandemic after discussing last week, its lessons for sanitary crisis management. Today we'll focus on another aspect that has necessitated the handling not just of immediate effects, but also long-term ones, that of education. Education has been impacted across the globe and for all ages and types of courses, one year on in several countries, much concern has been expressed about the negative impact of the interruption of schooling from the first grade to the university. What if, however, this disruption has been the occasion for new opportunities and methods for education to endure? As international executive education features among the core missions with GCSP, today, I'm talking with Alexandra Thiry, who is the Head of Learning Innovation and Impact at the GCSP. She has held this position since 2016, After joining the GCSP in 2012, to support the senior management's implementation of strategic initiatives and partnerships. She's a certified learning professional with work experience with the International Committee of the Red Cross and then European External Action Service. Welcome to the podcast Alexandra. My first question to you is, are there specific ways in which the pandemic has impacted executive education and called for special solutions? Ms Alexandra Thiry: Thank you so much for having me. I'm really delighted to be here and to participate in this podcast series about the impact of COVID-19 and specifically talk about executive education. Before coming to your question, let me first of all frame a little bit the context of where we are with executive education and COVID pandemic. The COVID-19 crisis has sustainably impacted literally every aspect of life. First, it has changed the way people connect. So, with all the restrictions on in-person gatherings, the digital tools have to a certain extent replace the human face to face experience in our everyday life. So, second pandemic has impacted how people communicate. And here I'm thinking of wearing masks whenever we are in public, and masking our facial expressions and the effect that this has on comprehending people's emotions and intentions, and specifically the impact this has on building trust, which is so important in the peace and security domain and also in diplomacy. Third, COVID-19 has changed the way people interact. So, the physical distancing, and also seeing people as potential sources of infection is certainly something that is new. And it also to a certain extent, impacts how we see executive education during this crisis. And finally, it has affected how people work. A survey from Deloitte, conducted in April 2020 revealed that the number of people working from home in Switzerland has doubled during the crisis.