Gen A Graduation Projects

In its mission to foster Asia Competence, Asia Society Switzerland is committed to empowering young voices in the dialogue with Asia, recognizing youth as a key driver of Switzerland’s future success in the region. As part of the Gen A Young Leadership Program, the fellows work on topics around Asia that they are curious about, that reflect the way they see our world, that they care for professionally and personally. Not only do we want to learn about these topics and from the young fellows, but also to share their views with our network and audiences.

As part of out flagship conference, STATE OF ASIA, Asia Society Switzerland provides these young voices a platform to present their projects to a high-level audience – be it on Korean webtoons and its growing markets; mapping the rights of sexual minorities in the region; or a rules-based order worthy of its name. Explore them all below!

Korean Digital Comics with Kimberly Schlegel

Of Rules, Power and Order with Boas Lieberherr

Mapping the Rights of Sexual Minorities Across Asia with Loïc Jent

Golden Shadows – Voices of Two Exiled Artists by Manuela Coldesina and Thibault Maillard

Visit the online exhibition on their website until December 11, 2022.

After the digital exhibition has closed, you can still read about the project here.

Highlighting China's Techno Scene  – An Exposé by Lea Hasenzahl and Tim Hofer

Kimberly Schlegel is a recent graduate of the University of Zurich with a Master’s Degree in English Linguistics and Japanology. She has been fascinated with Japan from an early age, which has led her to travel the country several times already. Her last time in Japan was her one-year exchange at Keio University in 2017/18. When Kimberly’s not attending academic courses, she teaches (Swiss)-German and English at VOX-Sprachschule. Moreover, to satisfy her two big interests –sustainability and movies –you find her supporting the national core team of the Sustainability Week Switzerland with her technical knowledge or volunteering at the Zurich Film Festival. Contact Kimberly via email or LinkedIn.

Boas Lieberherr is a researcher in security and foreign policy-making in South Asia. Before joining the Center for Security Studies at ETH Zurich, he worked as an analyst in the Defense Attaché‘s office at the Swiss Embassy in New Delhi, India. After completing an apprenticeship in digital media design, Boas studied political science and economics at the University of Zurich. He also holds a Master’s in Comparative and International Studies from ETH Zurich. Boas‘ research focuses on India’s security and foreign policy, relations among South Asia, the US, and China, and the emerging concept of the “Indo-Pacific.” He has published in the Center for Security Studies’ own publication formats, NZZ, and SIRIUS, and was interviewed by Schweizer Radio und Fernsehen. Boas is also an enthusiastic mountain climber. If you can‘t reach him, he may just be climbing the Matterhorn. Connect with Boas via email, Twitter, or LinkedIn.

Loïc Jent is currently pursuing a Master’s degree in Economics at the University of St. Gallen, having recently spent 6 months as the Academic Intern for Economic and Political Affairs at the Embassy of Switzerland. During his time in Seoul, Loïc was part of the initial cohort of Asia Society Korea’s youth program, ASK-Y. Prior to that, Loïc was involved as Assistant Project Officer for Fontes Foundation in Uganda. His academic knowledge and interests center around international relations, natural resource management, and development cooperation. Led by his high sensitivity to social issues, he was involved in the implementation of a variety of community-driven humanitarian projects in Croatia, Romania, Kenya, Tanzania, and China during his teenage years. Contact Loïc via LinkedIn

Manuela Coldesina is an independent scholar and museum professional. After obtaining a B.A. degree in Art History and Japanese Studies at the University of Zurich, she graduated cum laude from Leiden University with an M.A. in the History, Arts and Culture of Asia and a Specialisation in Critical Heritage of Asia and Europe. Recipient of the Ada Ceschin and Rosanna Pilone Foundation Fellowship Grant in 2020, she is currently compiling the report of the MUSEC’s Souvenir du Japonresearch and exhibition project. Contact Manuela via email.
 

Thibault Maillard has recently completed a Master’s degree in Chinese studies from the University of Geneva, and he is looking for new professional opportunities. He also holds a bachelor in Choreography and a certificate in digital humanities. He is passionate about Asia, technology, and art. 
 

Lea Hasenzahl is a PhD Candidate at the Institute of Digital Technologies for Communication – ITDxC (Faculty of Communication, Culture and Society) at Università della Svizzera italiana - USI (Lugano). She holds a MA degree in Economics and Communication (Major in International Tourism) obtained at USI and a BA in Sociology and Communication Sciences, obtained at Technische Universität Dresden (Germany). With her PhD research project, she aims to explore "the public discourse around Chinese Outbound Tourism in Western societies" (working title). Lea is also a research associate of the UNESCO Chair in ICTs to develop and promote sustainable tourism in World Heritage Sites. Lea speaks German, English and French, has elementary Mandarin skills and is currently learning Italian.
 

Tim Hofer is a graduate student enrolled in the MSc program in International Relations at the London School of Economics. Spending a year in Chengdu during his undergraduate program in Political Science and China Studies at the University of Zurich, his focus of research lies mainly on the domestic and foreign policy of the PRC. As an avid language enthusiast, he recently started learning Hindi alongside improving his Mandarin skills.

Find the full list of our current fellows and Gen A alumni here.