Activities – House of Switzerland at the WEF Annual Meeting 2022
The Role of Swiss Boards in Driving Sustainability
Monday, May 23, 202209:00 - 11:30
Location : Nordside
Organized by B Lab Switzerland and InTent
CEOs and board members are increasingly expected to lead the change and contribute to a more sustainable economy. This exclusive breakfast gathers 80 Swiss CEOs, Board Members and government representatives to discuss a sustainability transition aligned with Switzerland’s 2030 Sustainable Development Strategy and the evolving duties of board members. To accelerate the sustainability transition, B Lab Switzerland and InTent are launching the Swiss Boards for Agenda 2030 (SBA2030), an alliance of Board Members and CEOs of leading Swiss companies committed to both high-level of board accountability and the SDGs. More about the SBA2030 will be shared during the event.
These discussions will be followed by a networking breakfast for all participants.
Welcome speech :
- André Hoffmann, Vice-Chairman, Roche Holding Ltd.
- Jonathan Normand, CEO, B Lab Switzerland
- Daniela Stoffel, State Secretary for International Finance at the Federal Department of Finance (FDF)
Speakers :
- Michael Brenner, Member of the Executive Board (Finance - People - Sustainability), Weleda
- André Hoffmann, Vice-Chairman, Roche Holding Ltd.
- Beth Krasna, Chairwoman, Ethos
- Jean-Francois Manzoni, President, IMD Business School
- Jonathan Normand, CEO, B Lab Switzerland
- Susanne Ruoff, Board Member CTT Correios Portugal, Eldora SA & Strategic Advisory Board EPFL
- Daniela Stoffel, State Secretary for International Finance at the Federal Department of Finance
Contact person:
Suzanne Letren, Communication Lead & Engagement, suzanne@blab-switzerland.ch, +33 787 310 637
Nicolas de Toledo, nicolas@blab-switzerland.ch
Geneva Day - New Technologies at the Service of Humanity
Monday, May 23, 202214:00 - 15:00
Location : Nordside
Organized by Permanent Mission of Switzerland in Geneva
The last years have been marked by the acceleration of technological innovation and demonstrated how, for many of us, new technologies shape the way we live, communicate, buy or think. The Covid-19 pandemic has demonstrated the potential of new technologies to deliver services to people. The war in Ukraine and current unprecedented geopolitical tensions highlight the need to integrate new technologies in how we address armed conflict, respond to humanitarian emergencies and build the foundations of sustainable peace. Digital innovation has shown time and again how new technologies can help humanity to address the challenges of today and tomorrow.
Welcome speech:
- H.E. Ignazio Cassis, President of the Swiss Confederation
- Ms. Nathalie Fontanet, State Councillor, Canton of Geneva
Expected speakers :
- Ms. Doreen Bogdan-Martin, Director of the Telecommunication Development Bureau of the International Telecommunication Union
- Dr. Fabiola Gianotti, Director General, CERN & GESDA Board Member
- Mr. Patrick Odier, Chairman of the Board of Directors, Bank Lombard Odier & Co.
- Prof. Klaus Schönenberger, Director, EssentialTech Centre, Vice Presidency for Research, EPFL
Moderation:
Dr. Robin Geiss, Director of the UN Institute for Disarmament Research
Contact person:
Paola Ceresetti, Head of Communication, Permanent Mission of Switzerland in Geneva, paola.ceresetti@eda.admin.ch, +41 79 240 19 18
Watch the video from the event here: Link
Education in times of crisis: how to ensure all children are learning?
Monday, May 23, 202215:00 - 17:30
Location : Crystal Lounge
Organized by Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC), Humanitarian Aid
With the complex social changes taking place in the world today, education is becoming increasingly important for success in life. To achieve children and youth development in all their diversity, not only more funding is needed, but also an acceleration of technologies, social innovation, impact research on evidence base, etc. Taking into account the barriers faced by the most marginalized groups in all their diversity. Interruption of Education due to crisis multiplies these challenges and there is an urgency to reach all crisis-affected children and youth with safe, free and quality education, especially those who have been previously excluded. The type of education is increasingly important and a part of that inclusion. It needs a cross-sectorial engagement to shape the future of learning and development.
These discussions will be followed by a networking aperitif for all participants.
You are most welcome to join our interactive session.
Welcome speech:
H.E. Ignazio Cassis, President of the Swiss Confederation
Expected speakers :
- Patricia Danzi, Director General SDC
- Lavinia Jacobs, President Jacobs Foundation
- Ramin Shahzamani, CEO War Child Holland
- Yasmine Sherif, Director of Education Cannot Wait
Moderation:
Peter Hossli
High level representatives of other organisations, such as the Roger Federer Foundation and Lego Foundation will be present.
Contact person:
Susanna Graf, Project Management Public Outreach Humanitarian Aid and SHA, susanna.graf@eda.admin.ch, +41 79 203 74 30
Geneva Day - The Future of Work
Monday, May 23, 202216:00 - 17:00
Location : Nordside
Organized by Permanent Mission of Switzerland in Geneva
The COVID-19 pandemic is not only a health crisis. It has profoundly affected the world of work. While our economic system and labour markets have already been in a phase of transformation due to digital progress and the 4th Industrial Revolution, the measures to combat the pandemic have in many cases exacerbated some of these dynamics – and widened the income gap across countries and societies. While some of us were fortunate enough to adapt to new working environments supported by latest technologies, for many, the pandemic has caused losses in working hours and income, leading to higher unemployment and poverty; the lack of informality in human interaction also took a toll in both well-being and efficiency terms. As we are yet to fully recover from the pandemic, the economic uncertainties in the context of the war in Ukraine as well as the increased flow of refugees in certain countries constitute further challenges to the labor market.
The aftermath of the COVID-19 crisis coupled with geopolitical and economic pressures may hence create new social tensions and crack open long existing ones. Is it fair to say that our social systems have failed the litmus test of COVID-19? What are the lessons learnt from the past two years? What does it really take society as a whole to emerge stronger from crisis and absorb new shocks – and how can we all assume our responsibilities?
Welcome speech:
H.E. Guy Parmelin, Federal Councilor of Switzerland, Head of the Department of Economic Affairs, Education and Research
Expected speakers :
- Mr. Christophe Catoir, President, Adecco
- Ms. Fabienne Fischer, State Councillor, Canton of Geneva
- Ms. Rebecca Grynspan, Secretary-General of the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development
- Mr. Rick Samans, Director of Research, International Labor Organization
- Ms. Scott Wharton, VP & General Manager, Video Collaboration Group, Logitech
Moderation:
Prof. Richard Baldwin, Professor of International Economics at the Graduate Institute, Co-Chair of the Platform “Thinking Ahead on Societal Change”
Contact person:
Paola Ceresetti, Head of Communication, Permanent Mission of Switzerland in Geneva, paola.ceresetti@eda.admin.ch, +41 79 240 19 18
Watch the video from the event here: Link
Geneva Day - Pioneering Digital Trust - A Commitment to the Future
Monday, May 23, 202218:00 - 20:00
Location : Nordside
Organized by Federal Department of Foreign Affairs and Swiss Digital Initiative
Digital acceleration due to the Covid-19 pandemic has once again highlighted the profound ethical implications of digital transformation for decades to come. How can we strengthen and rebuild trust in emerging digital technologies to support a sustainable recovery from the pandemic? What are solutions for a trustworthy and responsible digitalisation? What is the relevance of digital trust in a changing world with increasing geopolitical tensions? The topics of digital trust and responsibility have never been as present and important. The keynotes and panel discussion will address concrete solutions for a human centered digital transformation of the future.
These discussions will be followed by a networking aperitif and flying dinner for all participants.
Opening Statement:
- Benedikt Wechsler, Ambassador and Head of the Digitalisation Division of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA)
Keynote address:
- Ms. Mitchell Baker, Executive Chairwoman and CEO Mozilla - Building Trust by Putting Communities and Principles First
Roundtable on Pioneering Digital Trust:
- Ms. Francesca Bosco, Chief of Strategy Cyber Peace Institute and former member of the Digital Trust Label Expert Committee
- Mr. Peter Brabeck-Letmathe, President Geneva Science and Diplomacy Anticipator (GESDA)
- Mr. Sameer Chauhan, Director UN International Computing Centre
- Mr. Moses Ojeisekhoba, CEO Reinsurance and Member of the Group Executive Committee Swiss Re
Introduction panel and closing words:
Ms. Doris Leuthard, President Swiss Digital Initiative, former Federal Councillor and Member of the UN High-level Committee on Digital Cooperation
Moderation:
Mr. Marc Walder, CEO Ringier, Founder digitalswitzerland,
Board Member Swiss Digital Initiative
Contact person:
Paola Ceresetti, Head of Communication, Permanent Mission of Switzerland in Geneva, paola.ceresetti@eda.admin.ch, +41 79 240 19 18
Watch the video of the event here: Link
"Home of Blockchain.swiss" global ecosystem initiative launch
Tuesday, May 24, 202209:00 - 10:45
Location : Crystal Lounge
Organized by Swiss Blockchain Federation
This one-hour event serves to showcase the advantages of Switzerland as a leading blockchain ecosystem to international audience.
Opening speech:
- Pascal Ihle, Director, Swiss Blockchain Federation
- H.E. Ueli Maurer, Federal Councillor and Head of the Federal Department of Finance
Expected speakers :
- Steffen Bassler, CEO, SwissOne Capital
- Pascal Egloff, Lecturer, Eastern Switzerland University of Applied Sciences (OST)
- Christian Etter, Artist, Co-founder Museum of Digital Arts
- Frederik Gregaard, CEO Cardano Foundation
- Marco Grossi, CEO, Atomyze
- Olaf Hannemann, Co-Founder, CV VC
- Simon Husslein, Creator, Beyer x FTSY8 Time Warp Collection
- Mathias Imbach, CEO & Co-founder Sygnum Bank
- Martin Liebi, FTX Executive manager
- Hany Rashwan, Founder, 21Shares
- Patrick Tobler, CEO & Founder NFT Maker
- Sirpa Tsimal, Director Investment Promotion, Switzerland Global Enterprise
Moderation:
Alexander E. Brunner, President, "Home of Blockchain.swiss"
Contact person:
Laurin Brüniger, laurin.brueniger@furrerhugi.ch, +41 77 447 77 52
Re-think infrastructure sustainably
Tuesday, May 24, 202212:30 - 14:30
Location : Nordside
Organized by State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO), Switzerland Global Enterprise (S-GE), Swiss Export Risk Insurance (SERV), SWISSMEM, SWISSRAIL
Event about how the Swiss Industry and research institutions can make infrastructure project abroad more sustainable with a focus on construction and mobility. Inspiring speakers will share their visions, describe solutions which are close to market readiness or already on the market.
Welcome speech:
H.E. Guy Parmelin, Federal Councilor of Switzerland, Head of the Department of Economic Affairs, Education and Research
Expected speakers:
- Felix Amberg, President, Amberg Group
- Christian Bach, Head of Department, EMPA
- Thierry Déau, Founding Partner & CEO, Meridiam
- Pierre de Meuron, Founder Herzog & de Meuron, Member of the committee, Cargo sous terrain (video message)
- Stefan Kaspar, Founder Swissloop Tunneling Investor Relations and Finance, Cargo sous terrain
- Edgar Keller, President, ABB Traction
- Karen Scrivener, Professor, EPFL
- Daniel Wiener, Board of Directors and Head of Investor Relations and Finance, Cargo sous terrain
Moderation:
Patrik Wermelinger, Head of Investment Promotion, Member of the Board, Switzerland Global Enterprise
Contact:
Petra Wirz, Senior Partnering & Event Manager, Switzerland Global Enterprise, pwirz@s-ge.com, +41 44 365 54 29 / +41 44 79 822 43 70
Watch the video of the event here: Link
C-level and entrepreneur event of the cantons of Grisons, Zurich, Lucerne and Nidwalden
Tuesday, May 24, 202217:30 - 20:00
Location : Nordside
Organized by cantons of Grisons and Zurich
The governments of the cantons of Grisons, Zurich, Lucerne and Nidwalden invited CEOs and board members of their cantons to discuss the impact of global crises on supply chains and logistics.
The speakers will address new supply chain strategies, deglobalization, regionalization and decarbonization. The keynotes will be followed by a panel discussion.
Greeting message:
- Marcus Caduff, President of the Government Council of the Canton of Grisons
- H.E. Ignazio Cassis, President of the Swiss Confederation
- Carmen Walker Späh, Government Councillor of the Canton of Zurich
Expected speakers :
- Stefan Paul, designated CEO Kühne + Nagel International AG
- Prof. Joseph Stiglitz, American economist, professor at Columbia University, recipient of the Nobel Memorial Prize in Economic Sciences, former chief economist of the World Bank
- Michael Wurmser, Founder & Deputy CEO Norge Mining PLC
Moderation:
Felix Suter, President of the Swiss-Chinese Chamber of Commerce
No more seat available for this event!
Snack the System: A transfoodmation conversation – building a new society through the lens of food
Wednesday, May 25, 202211:00 - 13:00
Location : Nordside
Organized by the Permanent Mission of Switzerland to the United Nations Organisations in Rome and the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation
WEF 2022 within various challenges: urbanization, climate change, a pandemic. Equally: the UN Food Systems Summit showed that food systems are key to reach the SDGs while stakeholders are strongly divided on how to do so. This event will discuss a unifying vision on the transformation of food systems, using the “Bites of Transfoodmation Manifesto” – a political will developed by a diverse young community. Join us for an excursion to a future society that applies the true cost approach, focuses on the determinants of health and values renewed traditions.
Remarks:
- Rahel Greter, Project Coordinator, Permanent Mission of Switzerland to the United Nations Organisations in Rome
- Dr. Agnes Kalibata, President, Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa, former special envoy of the UN Secretary-General for the 2021 Food Systems Summit
Expected speakers:
- Himanshu Aggarwal, Founder at 9Growers
- Eugenia Alfine, Nutrition Scientist, Baze
- Christian Bärtsch, CEO of Essento Insect Food
- Sean de Cleene, Member of the Executive Committee WEF
- Sascha Lauterborn, Volunteer at GreenUp Davos
- Alessa Perotti, Bites of Transfoodmation member
- Christina Senn-Jakobsen, Managing Director, Swiss Food & Nutrition Valley
- Suzanne van Tilburg, Global Head F&A Networks at Rabobank
Moderation:
- Christian Frutiger, Ambassador, Assistant Director General & Head of Global Cooperation at the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC)
- Madeleine Kaufmann, Policy Advisor, Swiss Federal Office for Agriculture
Contact:
- Rahel Greter, Project Coordinator, rahel.greter@eda.admin.ch, +41 77 420 46 33
Watch the video from the event here: Link