Our reason for being

Here's our 'why' – and how it guides our 'what' and 'how'

We're in business to deliver facts on international cooperation for public policy professionals to navigate the complexities of global challenges.

We launched from Geneva, Switzerland’s hub of multilateralism and Arlington, Virginia's global media capital, and want to grow from there.

As a business started by journalists and climbers, we value uncovering truth, elevating people's voices, teamwork and resilience. We're building a global-minded platform that's unique, educational and foresighted.

We believe that taking a data-driven approach to fact-finding provides people with a verifiable account of what’s happening, and that establishing common facts for people to agree on is essential to solving problems.

"Without facts, you can't have truth. Without truth, you can't have trust. Without these, we have no shared reality. You can't solve any problem, let alone existential ones like climate change. You can't have journalism. You can't have democracy. And in a system like that, only a dictatorship wins," Nobel Peace Prize laureate and journalist Maria Ressa told PBS NewsHour.

"You're not going to have an influencer or a content creator stand up to a dictator," she said of the need for trained journalists who have standards, principles and ethics that sometimes go against their own self-interest. "You lose journalism the way we practice it, you lose democracy."

Global cooperation is needed to keep our tiny blue ball in space going. As astronaut Nick Hague said while aboard the International Space Station: “International cooperation is so important. For me, that is the biggest thing that I've pulled from this mission is that idea of cooperation at a global scale is what’s going to propel humanity into the future.”

Why the name? The Greek word arete signifies knowledge, effectiveness, potential fulfilled. In French, arête is a knifelike ridge. Combining those meanings, we stand for elevation, sharpness, the pursuit of excellence. And as former Associated Press colleague Anja Niedringhaus said: “I do my job simply to report people’s courage with my camera and with my heart."

Leadership Team

Pete Ward, CEO
Strategist and entrepreneur who has studied neuroscience and has an eMBA from IMD. Former rescue ranger and American Alpine Club interim CEO.
Silvan Hagen, CTO
Experienced Swiss entrepreneur and startup CTO, digital consultant, and web developer who helps businesses succeed with creative and easy-to-use solutions.
John Heilprin, Founding Editor
Thirty-plus years of experience as a journalist, including for AP as environment and climate writer, U.N. correspondent, and chief correspondent in Switzerland.
Ronald Powers, Managing Editor
Forty-plus years of experience working on the staff of the AP, including as a New York City-based reporter, national editor, and Washington bureau supervisor.