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Looking back at our time in Ottawa, one key insight stands out: cities, and the societies behind them, are constantly evolving processes shaped by multiple perspectives. Whether at the Canadian Museum of History or in discussions on urban planning, a common theme emerged: complexity cannot be simplified, it must be understood and managed. Ultimately, shaping the future requires dialogue, inclusion, and the ability to navigate different viewpoints, defining not only cities, but the way we live in them.

Our journey in Canada began in Toronto - a city known for its diversity, innovation, and dynamic urban life. After arriving on Friday evening, we kicked things off with a welcome drink, setting the tone for the days ahead filled with exploration, exchange, and new perspectives.

The Seminar in Switzerland 2026 by connectUS connects students and industry leaders to explore innovation and sustainable urban living, empowering the next generation to shape a responsible future.

During our visit at Brack, we gained valuable insights into one of Switzerland’s leading e-commerce logistics operations.

mageba’s innovative structural protection solutions safeguard bridges, buildings, and critical infrastructure, ensuring safety, durability, and resilience worldwide.

How can banks combine technological innovation with trust and long-term responsibility in an increasingly digital financial world?

The UNESCO Biosphäre Entlebuch demonstrates how a rural region can turn sustainability into its operating system and become a model for integrated, long-term innovation.

How is AI-driven marketing reshaping consumer behaviour by simplifying choices while subtly narrowing our options?

US politics and markets reveal complex interactions between policy, economic power, and market dynamics, highlighting the forces shaping growth, inequality, and institutional influence.

Swiss spatial planning demonstrates how evidence-based strategies, stakeholder collaboration, and responsible land use create sustainable, resilient, and livable cities.

Anina Döbeli's presentation once again demonstrates the vital role of system-wide approaches in creating a resilient, sustainable and people-centred future.

Dr Kevin D. Stringer’s session “US Political System Unlocked” offered an insightful and historically grounded introduction to the foundations of the American political system.

Burnout is often not about people, but about poorly designed systems. Human-centred AI puts people first, offering transparency, agency, and real support in daily work.

ESG is more than compliance—KPMG showed how environmental, social, and governance strategies can drive value, reduce risks, and strengthen trust across businesses.

Sustainable urban resilience goes beyond construction, using local data, AI, and community engagement to turn buildings into thriving, adaptable ecosystems.

The seminar in Switzerland has officially started for connectUS. Under the main theme Designing Tomorrow, students will explore key topics such as Urban Design, Conscious Consumer, Digital Balance, and Inclusive Mobility as they prepare for their upcoming international study trip.

What an inspiring evening it has been! Meeting former project members and learning where their personal and professional journeys have taken them was truly one of the highlights for our team.

As part of the connectUS 2025/26 communication team, Vanessa is responsible for Public Relations and Communication Management.

As part of the connectUS 2025/26 communication team, Akchayan is responsible for Public Relations and Communication Management.

As part of the connectUS 2025/26 project team, Mona is responsible for organizing the Seminar Abroad and managing hospitality throughout the project.

As part of the connectUS 2025/26 project team, Noah is responsible for partnership and finance management.

As part of the connectUS 2025/26 project team, Edona is responsible for organizing and coordinating the Seminar in Switzerland.

As part of the connectUS 2025/26 project team, Lars is responsible for the Project & Delegation Management.

We had the pleasure of welcoming our former delegation and project team members back for the connectUS Alumni Event 2025.

Cities are transforming faster than ever, driven by innovation and a vision for a better future.

Announcing the New Edition of connectUS!

After immersing ourselves in the dynamic landscapes of New York and Austin, our journey led us to Boston—a city where history and innovation intertwine seamlessly.

After our dynamic start in New York City, our journey led us to Austin, Texas—a city renowned for its vibrant tech scene, deep-rooted community spirit, and rich cultural heritage. Here's a detailed account of our experiences in the Lone Star State.

Our U.S. journey kicked off in none other than New York City—a global powerhouse of finance, culture, and innovation. As we head to Austin, Texas, it’s the perfect time to reflect on the eye-opening encounters, inspiring conversations, and cutting-edge developments we’ve experienced during our time in the Big Apple.

In an era of increasing environmental and social challenges, urban resilience has become an important concept for sustainable urban development.

On Thursday afternoon, we had the opportunity to visit the Microsoft Innovation Hub in Zurich and gain exciting insights into the company’s future technologies. The focus on sustainability and Artificial Intelligence (AI) stood out as particularly relevant topics for businesses today.

Design Thinking is more than just a method – it is a mindset that combines empathy and creativity. We experienced exactly that in an inspiring workshop of Simon Schmidli that challenged us while also fostering deeper connections.

During our seminar in Switzerland, we had the unique opportunity to dive into the world of Swiss agriculture and see how long-established traditions work together with new scientific ideas to shape the future of food security.

Imagine a place where nothing is truly wasted, where every resource is reborn in a cycle of innovation and sustainability. Welcome to Zurich – a forward-thinking canton that is redefining urban life with its shift to a circular economy. In the face of environmental challenges, Zurich is not merely adapting; it is actively reinventing how we think about production, consumption, and waste.

The two North American neighbors, the United States and Canada, share a close relationship. Nonetheless, these two countries have significant cultural and political differences. In this blog post, we will unveil some of the key differences and similarities, based on the insights gained from our guest lecturers.

In our recent session, we had the opportunity to dive deep into sustainability and business ethics with experts from KPMG and the University of St. Gallen.

The seminar began with an introduction by Mr. Michele Canonico, Director of the FHNW School of Business. He emphasized the importance of stepping out of one’s comfort zone and acknowledged that Switzerland alone cannot solve all challenges. Jean-Michel Ah Kong (Endress+Hauser) shared his personal journey of finding purpose beyond completing university obligations, underscoring the importance of continuous learning and self-discovery. This seminar provided valuable insights into business competitiveness, sustainability, finance, and effective communication—essential skills for professionals in an evolving global economy.

Artificial intelligence (AI) is not only revolutionizing the technology industry, but is also playing a key role in the area of sustainability. By using AI, companies and cities can develop more efficient and environmentally friendly solutions to reduce their ecological footprint. Two outstanding examples of AI-powered sustainability are Climeworks in Switzerland and IBM in the US, both of which are taking innovative approaches to tackling climate change.

Food security is a central issue of our time, especially against the backdrop of a growing world population and limited resources. Cities play a key role here. A look at Switzerland and the USA shows how innovative approaches in urban agriculture can help to create sustainable food solutions.

Electricity grids are the backbone of modern cities, ensuring uninterrupted energy access for homes, businesses, and critical infrastructure. As urbanization accelerates and climate challenges intensify, the resilience of these grids has become increasingly vital. A comparison between Switzerland and the United States reveals two contrasting systems, each with valuable lessons for building more resilient urban energy networks.

The circular economy envisions a world in which resources are used, reused and recycled to minimize waste and environmental impact.

Curious about how technology, sustainability, and entrepreneurship shape our world? Join us to make a difference!

Manuel announces his participation in this years edition as the partnerships & hospitality manager.

Jasmin announces her participation in this years edition as the project & delegation management.

Alisha announces her participation in this years edition as the process lead for seminar Switzerland.

Sascha announces his participation in this years edition as the process lead for seminar abroad.

Announcing the New Edition of connectUS!

Kopikaan announces his participation in this years edition as a communications manager.