Position on geopolitical conflicts

In recent years, geopolitical conflicts have led to tensions at universities worldwide. At ETH Zurich, too, there have been intensive discussions about how the university should deal with these issues. In response, the ETH Executive Board appointed an Ad Hoc Commission for Institutional Positioning in July 2024. Its mandate was to develop a basis for deciding whether ETH Zurich should take a stand as an institution on geopolitical crises and conflicts.

Decision

In February 2025, the Executive Board adopted the Ad Hoc Commission's Download Policy Paper (PDF, 109 KB) on institutional positioning. It concluded that ETH Zurich will not take an official position on geopolitical conflicts in the future.

“While members of the ETH community are free to form and express their own political opinions, the university as an institution has a distinct responsibility to uphold its core mission without being drawn into geopolitical debates.”
Joël Mesot, ETH President

Support for ETH members

ETH Zurich has chosen not to take an official stance on geopolitical conflicts, but of course global conflicts can have a profound impact on our diverse community. The following support services are available for ETH members who are directly affected by geopolitical conflicts.

Interview with Effy Vayena, haed of the Ad Hoc Commission

"Taking a position on geopolitical matters is more likely to hinder ETH Zurich’s mission than to support it"

Category: Institutional

The Executive Board has recently adopted a policy recommendation by the Ad Hoc Commission on Institutional Positioning, proposing that ETH Zurich should refrain from taking positions on geopolitical crises. Interview with the chairperson of this commission, Effy Vayena.