This June, four of us had the incredible opportunity to travel to Switzerland as Villars Fellows to take part in a symposium hosted by the amazing team at the Villars Institute.

It’s hard to put into words just how special this trip was. For one unforgettable week, we were surrounded by mountains, ideas, and the kind of people who inspire you to think bigger and dream harder.

Throughout the symposium, we dove into a range of workshops and discussions focused on systems thinking, a way of understanding the world through its connections and interdependencies. We explored climate solutions, new innovations, and pressing environmental issues like the nine planetary boundaries and the endangerment of species like sharks.

Tahmid said, "the energy in every workshop was contagious, and I especially loved how what we were learning was constantly being reinforced by the world around us." Every session felt like peeling back a new layer of understanding." And Danylo said, "The speakers’ honesty about the challenges, like the need for community buy-in, made it clear that scaling impact requires more than just funding."

One of the highlights was attending the Frontiers Planet Prize Award Ceremony, where we watched world-class scientists and researchers receive $1 million grants to scale their environmental breakthroughs. Alongside this, we had a talk about recent environmental innovations, and we were especially fascinated by projects like the UK’s nuclear fusion plant, which gave us real hope about what the future of energy could look like.

What really made this experience magical was the people. There was this incredible sense of community-you could start talking to anyone, and within minutes it felt like you had known them for years. We connected with students and teachers from the US, Nigeria, Pakistan, and so many other places. It didn’t matter where you were from; we were all there for the same reason: to build a better future for our planet.

One moment I’ll never forget was during our mountain hike. I was struggling a bit going uphill, and this kind man offered to help me carry my bag. We ended up having a really meaningful conversation about the Swiss mountains and the environment. It was only later that I realised he was actually one of the speakers from the talks earlier that day! That moment really stuck with me as it showed me how intergenerational, open, and inclusive the Villars Institute really is. No egos, no barriers-just people helping and learning from each other. I’m so grateful to have been part of it.

Each day, we were served delicious vegetarian meals as part of the Planetary Health Diet, showing us how food choices can support both human and environmental health. To really ground ourselves in nature, we went on a guided mountain walk, hiking up one of the trails and getting the most breathtaking view of the Swiss Alps, even seeing Mont Blanc. It was a moment that sticks with you forever. 

Toward the end of the week, we got to explore Geneva and experience the Swiss culture: eating chocolate, walking through Old Town, going to the beach, and just enjoying the sunshine by Lac Léman. It was the perfect balance of learning, exploring, and just being present with each other.

The trip gave us so many fresh perspectives, not just about the planet but about people, connection, and the power of youth. We each left with a renewed sense of optimism, seeing how hope and action can coexist despite global challenges.

Thank you so much to the Villars Institute for believing in us, and for showing us what’s possible when passionate people come together in the name of the planet.