At the beginning of September, in the Swiss mountain village of Curaglia, the MRI Governing Body, Coordination Office, and Working Group Leads gathered for their annual retreat – a chance to reflect on progress, sharpen the MRI’s vision, and look ahead to key milestones, including the MRI’s 25th anniversary in 2026.
“A Space to Reflect and Reimagine”
Opening the retreat, MRI Chair Jörg Balsiger emphasized the opportunities that lay ahead: “This is a space for us to take stock of where we stand and to reimagine what MRI can and should be in the years ahead. We are entering a period of renewal, and it’s inspiring to see the diversity of perspectives around the table.”
Participants were invited to consider recent events that have brought mountain issues into sharp public focus – from natural disasters to accelerating glacier loss – and how the MRI can continue to contribute meaningfully to these global conversations.
Past Reflections
Looking back, MRI Executive Director Carolina Adler reviewed the MRI’s achievements since the last retreat in 2024, including progress and improvements needed in building synergies across working groups, strengthening global and regional partnerships, continuing to shape science-policy dialogues, and developing communications channels.
The retreat also offered space for the Governing Body and Working Group Leads to share updates. Highlights included new findings on glacier darkening, an ongoing survey on mountain governance, and regional collaborations aimed at empowering communities with locally grounded solutions.
Pictured: Dr. Amina Maharjan and Professor Mark Carey, who both joined the MRI Science Leadership Council in June of this year, in discussion at the Governing Body Retreat. Image credit: Grace Goss-Durant, MRI.
Future Goals
Attention then turned toward future challenges: refining impact tracking, planning strategically for the post-2026 funding cycle, and preparing for the anniversary year ahead. A central focus was how the MRI can better capture and communicate the impact of its work. This conversation centred around three pillars – advancing science, influencing policy, and building capacity – and how these can guide the MRI’s strategy for the next funding cycle.
Ideas flowed freely, from visions of the MRI as a global leader in mountain science to practical steps for strengthening regional engagement and diversifying funding. Themes explored include the importance of supporting early-career researchers, expanding mentoring initiatives, and exploring innovative formats such as Living Labs to connect science with society. These discussions underscored that the MRI’s strength lies in its people: a global community committed to advancing mountain research in all its diversity.
“The energy, creativity, and commitment in this group are remarkable,” reflected one participant. “It gives me great confidence that the MRI will continue to grow as a trusted global network for mountain research.”
Looking Ahead
The retreat concluded with optimism. As the MRI prepares to celebrate its 25th Anniversary next year, the Governing Body, Coordination Office, and Working Group Leads left Curaglia with renewed momentum – and a clear sense of purpose: to continue making connections for our changing mountains.
Pictured: To gain deeper insight into Curaglia’s history, culture, and community, the Governing Body enjoyed a guided tour of the village led by Albert Lutz – art historian and former director of the Rietberg Museum in Zurich. A native of Curaglia, Lutz now curates La Vitrina, a local museum that offers a rich perspective on the cultural history of Val Medel in Graubünden, Switzerland. Image credit: Grace Goss-Durant, MRI.