Events - 15.07.2026 - 08:00
A year that reimagined boundaries and freedom.
Sometimes it takes an island to bring the mainland into sharper focus. This is precisely what the first cohort of the St. Gallen Collegium achieved: with their fictional island of Toiva, the Fellows created a space where, over the course of twelve months, the big questions of our time could be re-examined – under the title “Re-Interpreting Freedom”.
During the closing event at the Square on 28 May 2026, it became clear what had come of this journey. For one evening, the stage at the Square was transformed into a window onto Toiva: the Fellows took the large audience with them to the island, recounting its energy transition, its economy, its institutions and identities – and in doing so brought to life a world that, whilst imagined, was astonishingly close to our own concerns. Anyone who wished could immerse themselves for a moment and experience for themselves how freedom can be reimagined today.
It was an evening that showed how an idea can become an entire island – and that an academic year, when approached with courage and imagination, can be more than just a curriculum: it can be a collaborative endeavour.
A year like this does not come about single-handedly. Our thanks go first and foremost to the Fellows of the inaugural cohort, who, with curiosity, perseverance and a shared passion for the cause, brought Toiva to life in the first place. We would like to thank our donors and the HSG Foundation, without whose trust and support this first year of the Collegium would not have been possible. We would also like to thank all our colleagues and collaborators at the Collegium who have contributed their ideas, helped organise and supported the project behind the scenes. Special thanks are due to Christoph Frei and Günter Müller-Stewens for their roles and their constant commitment to the Collegium. And finally, a very special thank you to Claudia Franziska Brühwiler, who has left a particularly significant mark on this first year – with her wealth of ideas, passion and the ability to turn a vision into a living reality.
Toiva may be an island of imagination. What it has sparked over the course of the year certainly is not.
The St. Gallen Collegium’s news section provides insights into our fellows’ current activities, projects and public contributions. It demonstrates how research extends beyond the academic context and is brought into public debate.
Whether through media appearances, publications or events, these contributions document how new perspectives on key issues of our time emerge and gain visibility at the Collegium. They highlight how academic work and public discourse intersect.
