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The Seven Rules of Trust

Drawing on the story of Wikipedia and in conversation with Claudia Franziska Brühwiler, an expert on American Political Thought and Culture, Wikipedia founder Jimmy Wales discusses how essential trust is for our society.

Speakers

Jimmy Wales

Professor Claudia Franziska Brühwiler

Tuesday, 11. November 2025, 18:30 – 20:00 h

At the University of Zurich, Rämistrasse 71, 8006 Zurich, KOL-G-201 (Aula)

Event Language: English

With book table

Wikipedia is one of the most widely used websites in the world and has become an integral part of our everyday lives. In his book "The Seven Rules of Trust. Why It Is Today's Most Essential Superpower" (Bloomberg Publishing; German version available from Piper) not only describes the history of the world's largest online encyclopaedia, but also the principles on which this unique platform is based. For him, these principles are both the essence and the driving force behind his entire work.

Trust plays a paramount role for Wales, and he wants to show how you can become a ‘trust maker’ yourself with his seven rules of trust.

  • The event is open to the public and admission is free. Pre-booking is not necessary.
  • Seating: It is not possible to reserve seats in KOL-G-201 (Auditorium). Visitors may not reserve seats in the lecture room on their own authority (for colleagues, friends). If all seats in the main hall KOL-G-201 (Auditorium) are taken, other interested visitors will be asked to go to the broadcasting room (signposted on site). The security staff on site will inform you of any last-minute changes.
  • No drinks bottles, liquids etc. may be brought into the lecture theatre.
  • Luggage: Due to security precautions, no bags/backpacks larger than an A4 sheet of paper may be taken into the lecture room KOL-G-201 (Auditorium). The security staff reserves the right to check bags/backpacks. Please be in front of lecture room in good time. These regulations do not apply to the broadcasting room.
  • Photography and filming are prohibited without authorisation and must be refrained from.
  • Q&A: If you have a question during the Q&A, please raise your hand. If you are given the floor, please limit your comments to one question.

The event will also be broadcast live and made available for replay.

Speakers

Jimmy Wales

Founder of Wikipedia

Short Bio

Jimmy Wales is an internet entrepreneur who is best known as the founder of Wikipedia and the Wikimedia Foundation. Named one of Time’s 100 Most Influential People, he was also acknowledged by the World Economic Forum as one of the top 250 leaders across the world for his professional accomplishments, his commitment to society and his potential to contribute to shaping the future of the world. Born in Huntsville, Alabama, he lives with his family in London.


Photo: © Perry Seymour-Marsh.

Overview of the SIAF speakers

Professor Claudia Franziska Brühwiler

Professor of American Political Thought and Culture, University of St. Gallen

Short Bio

Claudia Franziska Brühwiler is a titular professor of American Political Thought and Culture at the University of St. Gallen, where she earned her doctorate in political science. She is also an affiliated researcher at the Nanovic Institute at the University of Notre Dame. Her award-winning research focuses on the conservative movement in the United States. She has been a visiting researcher and professor at Keio University in Tokyo, University College Dublin and several US universities. She writes a monthly column in the "Tages-Anzeiger" newspaper and hosts the University of St. Gallen's "Grüezi Amerika" podcast.

Overview of the SIAF speakers