The independence of international civil servants (ICSs) from their country of origin are incorporated in the founding documents of international organisations. But how do ICSs experience conflicts of interest caused by tensions between the organisation they belong to and their country of origin? A peer-reviewed article published in June 2016 in the journal “Public Administration” investigates this question empirically. The authors* examine whether ICSs face conflicts between national and international interests and which conditions are likely to produce such effects in international organisations. The study, carried out in two United Nations humanitarian agencies, reveals that the hierarchical grade has stronger explanatory power than other factors. Valentina Mele (Bocconi University) and Simon Anderfuhren-Biget (University of Geneva), co-authors of the article that was prized in 2015 with the SNIS International Geneva Award will present the key findings of their research and discuss the topic with representatives of UN committees at the up-coming UN Library Talk on 11 October 2016.
* Valentina Mele (Bocconi University), Simon Anderfuhren-Biget (University of Geneva), Frédéric Varone (University of Geneva) – Article published in: Public Administration, Vol. 94, Issue 2, pages 490-508, June 2016
The article is available in open access (limited period):http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/padm.12228/abstract