Originally from Bogota, Colombia, Sergio Clavijo was eager to travel overseas to participate in the Salzburg Global Seminar. As a professor holding a PhD in economics from la Universidad de los Andes, he longed to be a student once more, yet found himself in a financial situation that prevented this dream from coming true. After applying for the program, Sergio was selected for a sponsorship on behalf of the Japan-based Sasakawa Peace Foundation, which made it possible for him to attend. Sergio immersed himself in the program, not once, but twice, appreciating the weight with which Fellows discussed the political, financial, or philosophical topics at hand.

“I was really impressed by the scope of the issues being analyzed, by the seriousness of the approaches that everybody put into it and obviously by the camaraderie that was developed there in the beautiful place that Salzburg is,” Sergio said. “I was impressed by different views from people from all over the world and from different prospects.”

Sergio described his numerous sessions as global, inclusive and enlightening, adding that the fact that he attended more than once speaks volumes of his affection for Salzburg Global. The diverse viewpoints also enriched his professional life and inspired him to sincerely believe in the historically-rooted mission of the seminar.

“It was enlightening in terms of art, science, praxis being discussed,” Sergio said. “It was inclusive. A lot of people from developed economies and as well some of us from the emerging markets, in my case from Colombia, were represented.”

Thanks to the support of generous donors, this multi-national, cross-cultural gathering was made a reality, allowing Sergio and Fellows like him to participate in conversations that require diverse viewpoints that otherwise could be easily overlooked.

In order to determine the future importance of the seminar, Sergio encourages others to understand the reasons for its existence, looking back at the significance of its origins in light of modern conflict in Europe. Over the next 75 years, he hopes others will take on the mantle of learning, becoming students of the world and supporting the ambitious, worthwhile endeavor that is Salzburg Global.

“I hope that this continues for a century, for the next century, because certainly now that we are talking about the possibility of a world conflict again, there's hope that the Ukrainian conflict does not escalate,” Sergio said. “Salzburg Global is one of the places that came to my attention when analyzing diplomacy and the role of peace as a main driver for the next 75 years.”