The Ministry of Regional Development of the Czech Republic, in cooperation with UNECE and the Faculty of Architecture CVUT is organizing an international conference in Prague to debate how digital technologies and platforms are influencing cities in the UNECE region. GIMLA has been invited to part-take as panelist in the session on Urban planning and governance of a smart city – balancing economic  vibrancy and public interests.

Recognizing the global challenge of housing, the N-Aerus conference “Housing and Human Settlements in a World of Change” aimed at generating a multi-disciplinary debate at the interface of research and practice. Organized and hosted by the Department of International Urbanism, University of Stuttgart, GIMLA was invited to present a paper on the role of real estate developers in the making of the Brazilian affordable housing program (Minha Casa Minha Vida) as well as to serve as panelist to discuss the history and recent approaches of international housing policy.

In order to strengthen student and faculty exchanges, GIMLA and the School of Economics, Business and Accountancy (FEA) USP signed a new cooperation agreement. The agreement focus on the co-production of knowledge from the design of joint research project to the development of syllabus and co-teaching of compact courses (block seminars) both in São Paulo and St.Gallen. Classes and projects will target graduate students (Master and PhD) and also be open to postdocs and other HSG researchers.

Following months of work required for the registration of a legal entity in Brazil, the “Associação St.Gallen de Educação e Pesquisa” becomes the local mirror of the St.Gallen Institute of Management in Latin America. To celebrate the official opening of its offices at Paulista Avenue, GIMLA organized a small gathering to celebrate and thank institutional partners for the support: Swiss Embassy and General Consulate in São Paulo, Swiss Business Hub, Swisscam, Swissnex, the HSG Alumni Community, PNST Advogados, partner universities (FGV, USP, Insper), as well as exchange student representatives. Short lectures about the internationalization strategy of the University of St.Gallen as well as the plans for the Latin American region were presented by the Vice-President and Dean of External Relations Prof. Dr. Landfester, and Dr. Peter Lindstrom, board member Wolfgang Reichenberger, and GIMLA´s Director Dr. Vanessa Boanada Fuchs. Looking forward to build enduring partnerships in Brazil and Latin America, the whole GIMLA team thanks all partners for the strong local support.

In its effort to align its activities with actual challenges and ongoing projects, GIMLA started to collaborate with the United Cities and Local Governments (UCLG) to offer practice-oriented course assignments and master thesis topics. Co-developing assignments can generate hands-on experience for UNISG Students but also useful insights on pressing issues. As a first step, the City of São Paulo is supported in its effort to align the Sustainable Development Goals with its urban planning framework.

GIMLA offers a course on urban development, its current challenges, and emerging solutions in perspective of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG), the New Urban Agenda (NUA), and various Climate Change agreements. Next to the traditional set-up, where students choose a specific development challenge and identify a promising solution in the Global North as well Global South, they may also opt this year for a practical assignment that has been co-developed with institutional partners in order to close the gap between practice and academia.

The purpose of the Latin American Dialogues is to offer an academic perspective on current Latin American events. Short videos, written interviews, and/or underlying documentation provide a first point of contact for interested international students and at the same time a platform to promote established and emerging Latin American scholars. The first Dialogues are organized to offer short analysis and provide a broader context of the Brazilian presidential elections 2018.

In collaboration with swissnex Brazil, GIMLA co-organized a workshop to debate how Rio de Janeiro, in a pursuit of smart cities projects can enable more inclusive and sustainable urban development. We are very thankful to our panelists, Maria Esteves (UFRJ), Luiza Mesquita (ITS), Jhessica Reia (FGV), Eduardo Barbosa (BNDES) and Daniel Ribeiro (MPRJ).

From September onwards, our team can rely on the skills and experience of Renata Cunha, our new office manager. Next to the administrative support, we hope to rely on Renata’s expertise to broaden our online presence and elaborate our design language.

Manuel Galdames, the market coordinator of the Centro de Innovación (CI) of the Pontifical Catholic University of Chile presented the current projects and initiatives of this interesting and dynamic innovation hub in Santiago.The aim of the center is to promote a culture and environment for innovation and entrepreneurship in the university and in the country. Currently, the CI has more than 100 partner companies and supports more than 270 ventures.

On August 7, 2018, the Alumni Club - Brazil chapter convened its general assembly at GIMLA in order to approve its statutes and elect its new president and vice-president. GIMLA wishes Lodovico and Immo fruitful four years of presidency and will support their activities wherever possible.

Universidad EAFIT in Medellín is pleased to jointly organize with the University of St. Gallen the GSERM for Latin America and the Caribbean. GSERM offers the opportunity to sharpen your skills in block seminars taken place in December 2018 and taught by world-class faculty amongst an international crowd of participants. Applications are accepted until November 15, 2018. More information.

The paper is published in the International Development Planning Review and offers a systematic approach to conceptualization of informality. Full papers can be requested by contacting the authors.

Two panels were organized for the 19th World Congress of the International Sociology Association (ISA). The panel  on the role of developers in urban development presented findings on the influences of private market actors in decision making in cities around the world. Cases included Germany, Canada, India, and Israel. The second panel reflected on the transnational flow of policy ideas.

Alessandra Swoboda is the first research assistant of GIMLA. She is pursuing a Masters in International Affairs and Governance at the University of St.Gallen and is currently on an exchange semester in São Paulo. We are looking forward to work jointly with her on a diverse range of GIMLA activities.

The "Advanced Coop Management" (St.Gallen) was offered to Sescoop/Ocemg for directors and high-ranked executive managers from different sectors of the cooperative business: agriculture, dairy, health, and credit.

Prof. Thomas Bieger, the President of the University of St. Gallen, visited the office space of GIMLA. The president was part of a Swiss delegation to Brazil and accompanied by Ambassador Mauro Moruzzi.

The office space at Avenida Paulista is furnished and operational. The GIMLA team is looking forward meeting you at Av. Paulista 1754, office 153.