The project consortium, consisting of four European architecture schools, met at the University of Liechtenstein for the kick-off meeting of the three-year Erasmus+ project “Crafting Clay - Exploring Circularity with Local Earth”, which is funded by the AIBA with 400,000 Euros.

The project deals with the investigation of clay as a building material, the traditional use of which has been forgotten in the past. With modern mechanical processes, it is now possible to produce clay techniques in combination with other materials that were previously produced exclusively by hand. In this context, existing technical and craft traditions and aspects of earth building are considered and analyzed in order to learn from existing buildings and draw lessons for the future.
Against the backdrop of climate change and the need for resource-conserving construction, this subject area enables the establishment and redefinition of alternatives in the construction industry and thus enriches the European discourse on the intelligent, sustainable and resource-conserving use of materials in the long term. Through these different approaches in combination with practical expertise from the construction industry, the project creates a unique and enriching basis for new knowledge in the European context, both in the academic world and for construction practice.

The four universities involved in the partnership, University of Liechtenstein, KU Leuven (BE), Academie van Bouwkunst (NL) and NTNU Trondheim (NO), are addressing this topic and discussing and evaluating it in fundamentally different technical and cultural ways. The three-year project is being coordinated by Dr. Carmen Rist-Stadelmann and Prof. Urs Meister from the Department of Craft & Structure at the School of Architecture at the University of Liechtenstein. Upon completion, the results will be presented to the public at a symposium, on the websites of the respective partner universities and in a publication by Park Books Verlag, Zurich.

This year, the programme explored Southeast Asia - a region experiencing rapid economic growth and playing an increasingly strategic role in global finance. This trip was more than just an academic excursion; it was an eye-opening experience that reshaped how students view wealth management and the evolving financial landscape in Asia.

Throughout the week, students engaged with leading institutions across the finance sector. From exploring alternative assets at Alta Group and gaining market insights at CGS International Securities Singapore to learning about relationship-driven strategies at VP Bank Asia and blended finance solutions at LGT Private Banking - each session enriched their understanding from multiple angles.

They also gained valuable insights from Equanimity® (Blockchain) Holdings Pte. Ltd., Raffles Family Office, Julius Baer, and Deutsche Bank, highlighting how traditional and modern finance converge in Singapore. The visit to the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) provided a comprehensive overview of regulatory frameworks, digital currency initiatives, and financial transformation in the region.

At Orbis Advisory, PwC Singapore, and SGX Group, students explored the elements that position Singapore as a global financial hub. They were also honored to be hosted by the Honorary Consul Gerald Ong and members of the Embassy of Switzerland in Singapore, which emphasized the importance of diplomacy in international finance.

Each visit contributed uniquely to the richness of the journey, offering insights that expanded the learning and sparked meaningful reflection.

Why does true gender equality in the workplace often remain an unattainable goal? A new study reveals that deeply ingrained ideas about motherhood and fatherhood significantly influence family roles, ultimately disadvantaging women in their careers.

Associate Professor Dr. Lindsay Howe from the University of Liechtenstein, along with researchers from the University of Cardiff and the Institute for Voluntary Action Research, examined how entrenched gender roles shape everyday life for families in South Africa – with surprising findings.

The study, based on focus groups, ethnographic research, and innovative data collection using "Volunteered Geographic Information" (VGI), found that many people – regardless of gender – still perceive fathers primarily as "breadwinners." As a result, many fathers fulfill their parenting duties only in brief moments between professional obligations. The researchers call this phenomenon "parenthetical parenting," which further reinforces existing inequalities.

What makes this particularly concerning is that the gap between ideal and reality affects families across all social classes. While many fathers aspire to take a more active role in parenting, societal and economic structures often prevent them from doing so. At the same time, the bulk of caregiving responsibilities still falls on mothers – with far-reaching consequences for their professional development.

Published in the renowned journal The Professional Geographer, this study builds on previous research by the authors. In a Time Magazine article (https://time.com/6249410/secret-tax-women-time/), they explored the hidden costs women bear due to caregiving responsibilities. The new findings now highlight that the issue is not just about mothers but also the challenges faced by fathers who wish to be more involved.

One thing is clear: As long as these traditional gender roles persist, true equality will remain elusive. However, the study’s insights could pave the way for a fairer distribution of work and caregiving responsibilities.

More about the study: https://www.uni.li/de/forschung/forschungsaktivitaeten/veroeffentlichungen/publikationen/@@publication_detail/9837.67

Prof. Dr. Konstantina Papathanasiou, LL.M., from the Chair of Economic Criminal Law, Compliance and Digitalization, has served as a visiting professor at the Faculté Libre de Droit (Paris campus of the Université Catholique de Lille) since 2016, where she teaches a course on German Criminal Law each year.

This year, she once again spent a week in Paris, inspiring highly motivated fourth-semester students with her expertise in criminal law, while also contributing to the international visibility of the University of Liechtenstein.

This question is at the heart of a new case study challenge for students enrolled in the Executive LL.M. in Company, Foundation and Trust Law at the University of Liechtenstein. The initiative offers participants the chance to win a total of CHF 9,000 in prize money. It marks the official launch of the I&F Family Wealth Preservation Award—a joint initiative of the University of Liechtenstein and the Liechtenstein-based fiduciary company Industrie- und Finanzkontor Ets.

The I&F Family Wealth Preservation Award gives Executive LL.M. students a unique opportunity to gain deeper insights into Liechtenstein’s fiduciary sector. The award is structured as a competition in which students solve a practice-oriented case study involving multiple legal and strategic dimensions. This year’s task centres on a third-generation family business that must be restructured in a way that:

• ensures its continuity for future generations,
• allows ongoing management by family members,
• preserves decision-making authority within the family,
• enables adaptability to unforeseen external developments, and
• maintains strong family relationships.

The task highlights that successful wealth structuring goes beyond legal frameworks—it requires broader strategic thinking. The I&F Family Wealth Preservation Award promotes a vital exchange between academia and professional practice. Winners will be selected by an expert jury in December 2025, and their solutions will be presented to the public at a formal award ceremony on 26 January 2026.

Statement by I.D. Gisela Bergmann, Princess of Liechtenstein, CEO and Managing Director of Industrie- und Finanzkontor Ets.: “With the I&F Family Wealth Preservation Award, we aim to deepen the understanding of fiduciary work in Liechtenstein. The core task of a trustee is to assess complex asset situations from a comprehensive and objective perspective, and to structure wealth so that it can be preserved, purposefully managed, and transferred across generations. Fiduciary activity in Liechtenstein involves far more than simply establishing legal entities. Through the Award, we enable students to engage with the diverse requirements of fiduciary practice and raise awareness of its long-term responsibilities.”

Statement by Prof. Dr. Alexandra Butterstein, LL.M., Programme Director of the Executive Master of Laws (LL.M.) in Company, Foundation and Trust Law: “We are very pleased about the strong interest in the I&F Family Wealth Preservation Award, which for the sixth time offers our students the valuable opportunity to apply their academic knowledge to a real-world context. This chance to tackle a multifaceted, complex case from wealth structuring—both academically and practically—perfectly complements the Executive LL.M. The Award specifically prepares participants for the demands of long-term wealth preservation, a skillset essential to their future professional practice.”