The Founders’ Initiative

To contrast the hard-line student upheavals and protests of 1968, five students of the University of St. Gallen, from Austria, Germany, the Netherlands, Norway and Switzerland, set up the International Students’ Committee (ISC) and decided to create a Management Symposium at their alma mater in order to offer a neutral platform for constructive intergenerational dialogue.

First International Management Symposium St. Gallen

The first St. Gallen Symposium, then called International Management Symposium, takes place in May 1970, with 100 representatives from the world of business, politics as well as research and an equal number of students joining the dialogue. The participants’ interest and their positive response prompt the founders to decide to organise an annual Symposium held in May.

Club of Rome

The 3rd St. Gallen Symposium is highlighted by Dr. Aurelio Peccei’s presentation of the Club of Rome-report “Limits to Growth”, emphasising the world’s scarce natural resources.

Crisis that led to an Opportunity

The economic crash, together with problems in securing continuity of the student team, forces the 5th St. Gallen Symposium to be postponed. The crisis is utilised as an opportunity to provide the ISC initiative with a new institutional framework. It is placed under the aegis of the
St. Gallen Foundation for International Studies, purposed to advise and professionally supervise the organising students, while the Circle of Benefactors creates permanent contact with the world of business and ensures material continuity.

Max Schmidheiny Foundation

On the occasion of his 70th birthday, Dr. h. c. Max Schmidheiny establishes the Max Schmidheiny Foundation at the University of
St. Gallen. It promotes “outstanding achievements aimed at maintaining and developing the liberal economic and social order”. The Max Schmidheiny Freedom Prize was awarded annually from 1979 to 2003 at the St. Gallen Symposium.

International Students' Competition

Student participants are selected by a competition, launched at renowned universities worldwide. The competition subject-matter is the respective topic of the St. Gallen Symposium. In 1998, the St. Gallen Wings of Excellence Award evolves out of the International Students’ Competition. Its purpose is to identify 200 exceptionally talented students throughout the world who, through inspiration, diligence and originality, contribute to the discussion of the issues of time and therefore qualify for participating in the St. Gallen Symposium for free.

International Conference on Federalism 2002

The International Conference on Federalism is held in August 2002, at the University of St. Gallen. The Swiss Government entrusts the International Students’ Committee (ISC) with the organisation of the conference, thus applying the successful model of the St. Gallen Symposium to a major political event of international relevance.

Kofi Annan at the University of St. Gallen

His Excellency Kofi Annan, the Secretary-General of the United Nations, honours the University of St. Gallen with a visit on 18 November 2006 in order to receive the Freedom Prize of the Max Schmidheiny Foundation. In so doing, he pays tribute to the traditional role of the University of St. Gallen as a meeting place between the decision-makers and the academic youth. The Max Schmidheiny Foundation entrusts the International Students’ Committee (ISC) with the organisation of the event.

40th St. Gallen Symposium

The anniversary symposium will take place from 6–7 May 2010.