bridging knowledge and competencies in science, education, art and innovation.
Consulate of Switzerland
contents  4 6 8 10 12 14 16 18 20 22 24 26 28 30
Foreword Connecting the Dots Science Diplomacy Ventures and Entrepreneurs Innovation and Technology Community Building and Social Networking Higher Education and Young Talents Arts and Science Media and Publications Finance and Metrics Partners and Sponsors 10th Anniversary Outlook Staff
foreword
daring to innovate If the ability to rethink and reinvent is the hallmark of innovation,
and research centers have all seen the benefits of collaborating with
then the launch of the swissnex network in 2000 surely proved
a network of academic ambassadors to better target international
Switzerland’s aptitude for innovating.
partners and empower young talents. Swiss start-ups, innovators and emerging leaders also leverage the network to penetrate the
swissnex, a first-of-its-kind platform, is committed to connecting
world’s most competitive innovation ecosystems, such as Silicon
Switzerland’s knowledge-based economy with global centers of
Valley, and explore profitable markets.
science and education. But such innovation was not without risk. Global collaboration must be seen as an opportunity, not as a threat, for
4
Indeed, swissnex was a long-term bet. Introducing a new paradigm
Switzerland’s knowledge-based economy to continue ranking among
in foreign representation by leveraging public-private partnerships
the world’s best. Global collaboration is also our common responsibility
meant persuading academic, corporate and government
in order to face the tremendous social, energetic and environmental
stakeholders to journey into uncharted territory.
challenges that our planet — and many emerging countries — face.
Today, the bet is paying off for Switzerland. What was once seen
What has emerged from the swissnex mission of “connecting the dots”
as an experiment in Swiss science diplomacy is now a driving force
is a rich network with mutual interests and local expertise in strategic
in our International Science Policy with a well-defined strategy and
regions that allows Switzerland to reach out around the world. swissnex
tangible outcomes. From its start in Boston, the swissnex network
has truly established itself as an indispensable tool for Switzerland’s
has grown five-fold to include outposts in San Francisco, Singapore
scientific leadership. What was just a vision in 2000 has become a
and Shanghai, and near-complete outpost in Bangalore.
reality and we are currently planning the next steps in its development.
The Swiss Federal Institutes of Technology as well as the Swiss
Federal Councillor Didier Burkhalter,
Universities, Universities of Applied Sciences and the nation’s labs
Head of the Federal Department of Home Affairs
swissnex Boston 2010
foreword
5
café des sciences
cleantech
design
tweets
social entrepreneurship
connecting the dots
bike festival
corporate innovation
webinar
human rights
federal office for professional education and technology
fribourg school of business administration
francophonie
rectors’ conference of the swiss universities of applied sciences
sandbox
rhode island school of design worcester polytechnic institute university of applied science zurich
EPF
a growing network of partners and topics The following pages reveal that 2010 was not just a
politics and even urban planning in a multi-disciplinary
year of celebration but also one of strategic planning
and cross-functional fashion. We advanced our
for the challenges of the next ten years. swissnex
involvement in the arts through theatre and design,
Boston made inroads in every field: strengthening
never forgetting their educational and scientific
our existing relationships and collaborating with new
components. And we expanded our outreach in
partners in new fields.
Switzerland to new universities, start-ups and large
boston university
ECAL
lesley university
technology
our long-standing relationships and established
innovation, public diplomacy and science were
topics, have engendered a dense network of
reinforced by the new connections we developed.
overlapping connections between Switzerland and connections are endless.
university of
city of cambridge
zurich
DGES
canton de vaud
cambridge innovation center
connecting the dots
boston world partnerships swiss american chamber of commerce
american swiss foundation swiss innovation promotion agency
MA clean energy center new england clean energy council
career fair
university of teacher education thurgau
The swissnex Boston team
videoconferences
swissnex Boston 2010
venturelab canton basel-stadt
lombard odier
future cities
6
WEF
école hôtelière de lausanne
for activities and partnerships. Plunging into the Web 2.0 phenomenon, we approached social media,
ST -gallen
CERN
New England where the possibilities of valuable We also embarked on daring and original concepts
boston
boston college
MIT
ETH
our alliances with long-time partners in education,
massChallenge
art & science goethe institute inno-swiss public diplomacy french cultural center boston university geneva innovation cambridge science festival
reached younger and broader audiences through These new partners and fields, combined with
ventures
northeastern university
university of geneva
linked through our knowledge network.
networking and communication technologies. And
fletcher school/tufts university
community building higher education babson college harvard university university of basel boston globe young talents entrepreneurs
corporations, which though disparate were inextricably Trademark events were refined and adapted. Others
state secretariat for research and education
lausanne
credit suisse thinkswiss
university of applied sciences bern
northwestern switzerland universities of applied sciences
solar energy typography
nation branding
hospitality and services public health social media
alumni
life sciences
sustainability
7
science diplomacy “As the Swiss Ambassador to the United Nations in New York, I really enjoyed having a platform like swissnex Boston to open new dialogues with practitioners and academics of the Boston area about global governance and the current role of the UN. I am convinced that the swissnex network is a key asset in strengthening science and technology connections abroad.” Peter Maurer
the open-source approach
State Secretary for Foreign Affairs, Former Swiss Ambassador to the
As the world’s first “science consulate,” swissnex
director Thomas Zeltner during his year in a Harvard
Boston has explored ways to extend the notion of
leadership program.
public diplomacy. As a leading partner of the New England We accomplished this through both collaborations with
Francophonie celebrations, another former Federal
strategic partners, such as Jed Willard of Harvard’s Public Councillor, Pascal Couchepin, came in March to Diplomacy Collaborative, and landmark publications, like
stress the key role of French-speaking universities in
a nation-branding case study in Place Branding in Public
the resolution of global development issues.
Diplomacy, authored by Director/Consul Pascal Marmier and Rollins College professor Marc Fetscherin.
And then-Permanent Representative to the United Nations, now Secretary of State at the Department
Key figureheads arrived in a sharing spirit amid a
of Foreign Affairs, Peter Maurer, met students and
stream of US/Swiss events.
leaders during a whirlwind winter tour.
Key Events
UN (2004-2010)
Annual World Economic Forum Debriefing (February) Pascal Couchepin discussed Switzerland’s scientific policy at Francophonie 2010 celebrations (March)
Key Numbers 3 swissnex Boston-organized events at Francophonie 2010 8 foreign delegations interested in swissnex model 60% third-party contribution 7,000+ guests at events 106 visits and events
8
Former Federal Councillor Ruth Dreifuss discussed
Always keen on opening dialogue with fellow
Switzerland’s universal healthcare system at the
diplomats, we developed sustainable partnerships
height of the divisive nationwide debate in March.
with other area Consulates on topics from clean
She was joined by former Office of Public Health
technologies to the Francophonie.
swissnex Boston 2010
science diplomacy
Key Connections Collaboration with Harvard Business School and Harvard Alumni Healthcare Association on healthcare
Federal Councillor Didier Burkhalter, left, tours Harvard in October
9
ventures and entrepreneurs “For Swiss companies going global, swissnex Boston provides the best shortcuts to success. “Its enthusiastic and well-connected team is helping our gaming company with invaluable business contacts, strategy workshops and market knowledge that would take much longer to acquire any other way.” Hadi Barkat Founder and
helping grow bold ideas In 2010, swissnex Boston’s focus on
outreach with a desk at the new Cambridge
entrepreneurship both widened and deepened.
Coworking Center (C3), a novel idea in shared Cambridge Innovation Center.
audiences and to seek the invaluable collaborations
One of our trademark events, the venture leaders
Combined effort of all swissnex outposts at Swiss Innovation Forum, Basel (November)
that only Boston’s thriving innovation economy can
10-day entrepreneurial boot camp in collaboration
provide. For instance, cti start-up companies knime
with long-time partner venturelab, emerged in its
and InSphero held workshops with partners and
tenth year as more tailored to the individualized
potential customers in July and November respectively.
needs of today’s young innovators. We offered
We reached out to more Swiss start-ups, offering them space and events to present their activities to key
more personalized networking platforms and helped Along with our colleagues in San Francisco, we kicked-off the
10
cti
US Market Entry
camp
with the offer
1,000+ jobs created, 115 companies born and CHF210m in financing triggered through venture leaders program
to marketing themselves and pitching their ideas.
Enabled cti start-up Plexim, incubated at swissnex Boston, to gain local employees
support services to connect entrepreneurs and
World Partnerships, participants got feedback and
develop their ideas. We also extended our own
tips on enhancing their presentation skills.
ventures and entrepreneurs
200 venture leaders in Boston (2000–2010)
Key Connections
Through strategy sessions with local partner Boston
swissnex Boston 2010
Key Numbers
participants develop an entrepreneurial approach
of a workspace within our office and customized
RedCut
Key Events Study trip of Prof. Rico Baldegger and his entrepreneurship master’s class from the School of Business Administration, Fribourg (January, November)
workspaces for budding entrepreneurs at the
ceo,
Former venture leader start-up Doodle connected to local business leaders for product trials
venture leaders 2011, in collaboration with venturelab, at the Global Pitchfest event
11
innovation and technology “Together with two Swiss friends, I founded Sandbox to support the most active young achievers between 20 and 30. While expanding our community worldwide, we were extremely fortunate to partner with swissnex Boston, which helped us not only to better understand the dynamics of the local market, but also to identify and connect with the market’s key players. From Singapore to Bangalore to Boston, swissnex
building key competencies and connections
Boston has been an enormously valuable partner that understands
It is incontrovertible: innovation drives the economy.
We discussed the value of networks in facilitating
In Boston, innovation fuels life. And at swissnex,
economic development with Northwestern
innovation feeds our mission.
Switzerland delegates in October, and highlighted fresh approaches to innovation at the Boston
swissnex Boston has long approached innovation
Corporate Innovation Forum in April.
holistically, combining the Swiss tradition of education and apprenticeship with today’s urgent
But we also took innovation to the next level,
need for skills in a fast-changing economy.
pioneering cross-functional events with multidisciplinary panels. For a discussion on the Future
We used both industry specialists and cutting-edge
of Cities, for instance, a law and policy professor
technology to probe tomorrow’s challenges. In
moderated a panel of university presidents, industry
the spring, we partook in a cross-continental
practitioners, field experts and renowned professors.
videoteleconference with the Command Center at cern’s
Large Hadron Collider led by
eth
Professor
Felicitas Pauss. In the fall, we hosted a high-level workshop with Nestle Executive
vp
Luis Cantarell on
bridging the gap between pharma and nutrition.
This, we know, is the way forward: a dynamic platform that sources and engages every outlook on a given issue. Indeed, a complex world necessitates a comprehensive approach.
Key Events ThinkSwiss-sponsored events throughout the year, e.g. sustainable transportation (May), particle physics with cern (April) “Future of Cities: What will be the urban model of 2020?” panel discussion (October)
innovative concepts and knows the right people to drive them forward.” Fabian Pfortmüller co-founder, Sandbox
Key Numbers 5 days, 4 Swiss experts, 3 cities (Washington DC, Pittsburgh, Boston) for Green Jobs series 200 participants and 160 “tweets” at Future of Cities 90 participants in Boston, 3 guests via vtc in Geneva at Big Bang 2.0
Key Connections Massachusetts Clean Energy Center and New England Clean Energy Council (Green Jobs series) Innovation networks under the leadership of Basel
12
swissnex Boston 2010
innovation and technology
Dr. Glenn Cummings, former US Department of Education Dep. Asst. Secretary, at Green Jobs in November
13
community building and social networking
“swissnex is a unique model of ‘consulate 2.0’ that connects Boston’s tech community with Switzerland’s academic leaders. It’s always on top of emerging trends by exploring social networking with the most connected people. As an
eth
alumni and a Branco Weiss
Fellow in Boston, this is how I’m able to stay tuned to what is going on in Switzerland in social media and network analysis.”
real value in virtual relationships
Riley Crane Senior Post-doctoral Fellow,
One lesson we’ve learned over the past decade is
Similarly, a breakfast with the alumni of the University
not merely the value of building connections, but
of Geneva took place in real time, both face-to-face
giving those connections real value. Part of our
and via videoteleconference with Pascal Praplan,
success is owed to remaining in close contact with
the alumni director.
our partners and associates. But we also know now the importance of remaining relevant to them. That
We continued our engagement with innovators and
includes both being integrated in their activities and
scholars at the monthly Café des Sciences, a joint
using new communication technologies effectively.
venture with partners of Boston’s French-speaking community.
A perfect example took place in October, when
eth
Human Dynamics Group
American Swiss Foundation alumni event with local/state leaders (March)
mit
Key Numbers Total $1,000 donated to Ahoto Human Rights and Global Health Initiative 7,000+ views on the swissnex Boston YouTube channel
And we jumped headfirst into new communication
with the help of swissnex Boston. This historic event
technologies, both to maintain contact with the
10,000+ website page views monthly
community and alumni, despite their changing locations,
Partnered for 40 Café des Sciences
Eichler and more than 100 former students, all
and to probe their real-life applications. Events such as
Key Connections
connected through new and social media.
Social Media and Nation Branding in May and Politics
ethz
President Ralph
2.0 in October were organized around and themselves utilized today’s savvy communication techniques.
swissnex Boston 2010
communit y building and social ne t working
Media Lab
Dinner with Harvard Professor Niall Ferguson on the Swiss economic model with local universities, Novartis, EMD Serono and Swiss American Chamber of Commerce (April)
Zurich launched its New England Alumni Chapter occurred in the presence of
14
Key Events
Collaborative events with Swiss organizations from Swiss Tourism to Swiss Trade and the Investment Promotion Agency
Nicco Mele, founder and president of EccoDitto, at Politics 2.0 in October
15
higher education and young talents
connecting the dots with Yvonne Moret swissnex Boston is always proud to accompany young talents on their paths to success, and Yvonne Moret is a good example. Recently graduated from mit with a PhD in civil engineering, Yvonne arrived in Boston in 2006. From the start, we supported her education, profession and community building. Today, she journeys to Beijing as a member of the Swiss diplomatic corps, and reflects on her fruitful alliance with swissnex Boston over the past five years.
my Boston beginnings “As a grad student freshly arrived to Boston, it was a relief to discover swissnex Boston: an impressive
nurturing tomorrow’s leaders
network of fellow researchers and scientists and a source of advice and support.
When we paired brilliant young minds with our
Michelle Stanners (Harvard Kennedy School) for a
Key Events
pioneering partners to speak at our tenth anniversary
neuroscience conference at the University of Zurich.
mit-European
celebration, swissnex Boston encapsulated its mission in supporting young talents. From kindergarteners
Supporting our partners on specific topics and learning
Harvard Law School’s International Party (February)
to Nobel laureates, we sought ingenious ways of
objectives, we guided the Rectors’ Conference of
Cambridge Science Festival (May)
nurturing the next generation of leaders.
Swiss Universities of Applied Science ( kfh) toward
Key Numbers
understanding shifts in education policy in October. Always on hand to coach students and researchers interested in Switzerland, swissnex Boston’s
As part of the larger process of working closely
reputation was visible in the students who journeyed
with our academic partners, we hired our first
from as far as Chicago for our career networking
intern, whose initiative propelled the launch the
reception in January.
Alumni’s New England Chapter.
epfl
ethz
President Patrick
Aebischer’s close relationship with us led to the We accommodated groups of Swiss students and
establishment of several strong partnerships.
facilitated reverse connections: travel grants were
And we continued to empower young movers-
provided to Ole Fisher (Harvard Graduate School
and-shakers, like Fabian Pfortmüller of Sandbox
of Design) for an architecture conference and
talent incubator.
“When founding SwissLinkBoston, a platform for young Swiss researchers in the Boston area, swissnex was instrumental in spreading the news and attracting new members through their support in setting up our
140 students at “Career night” (January)
webpage and co-organizing events targeted at the
22 Swiss university officers for khf ’s “Teaching and Learning” (October)
vibrant Swiss research community.
17 requests for funding to study in Switzerland 240 members of the ethz Alumni New England Chapter
Key Connections Canton Vaud – Boston College (nursing)
faculty for programs and idea exchange. We even
building the community
Career Fair (January)
htw Chur – Rhode Island School of Design (art and design)
my next career “Personally, I am grateful to swissnex Boston for connecting me to their network. When considering the diplomatic career, these contacts gave me invaluable perspectives and advice. For their support and mentorship, I owe a lot to swissnex Boston.”
FH Thurgau – Lesley University (education) zhaw – Worcester Polytechnic Institute (applied sciences)
16
swissnex Boston 2010
higher education and young talents
17
arts and science “swissnex provides a unique platform to share a new vision of innovation: exploring how emerging technologies can open up prospects for our society. Both the Boston and San Francisco outposts efficiently bring together the key players from science, art, design and the economy. This is where talk turns into action.” Nicolas Henchoz Director,
creativity across disciplines As we forge ahead into the next ten years, swissnex
cells invented by epfl Prof. Michael Graëtzel. Initiated by
Boston knows that neither art nor science will
the epfl-ecal Lab in Lausanne and brought to the US
forever remain the same. Thus, just as we approach
through the efforts of our colleagues in San Francisco,
our other endeavors in multi-disciplinary and
this large-scale international workshop epitomized both
crossfunctional ways, so too do we consider this.
the marriage of art and science and the collaborative nature of swissnex Boston’s activities.
of disciplines, swissnex Boston supported novel
There is a discernable educational component in
practitioners on a platform of promotion and contact-
these events. A “daylighting” exhibit spearheaded
building. The Sunny Memories exhibit at The Lab at
by then
mit
Professor Marilyn Andersen, now at
was a research project for engineering and
Lab, Lausanne
Key Events American Repertory Theater’s “The Blue Flower” based on the Dada Movement (December) Swiss film “Home” by director Ursula Meier at the French Film Night, Francoponie 2010 (March) “Delight in a Greener Daylight” daylighting exhibit at mit (April)
Anchoring art and science firmly in a confluence
epfl-ecal
Key Numbers
“swissnex Boston literally opened the doors of
mit
to
ecal’s
exhibit on
Typography. Thanks to its network in arts and design, it augmented in the US and
6 cities (Lausanne, London, Boston, Washington DC, New York, San Francisco) for Sunny Memories
the visibility of
graduate students. swissnex
Harvard took an avant-garde and resourceful approach
epfl,
to artistic expression. Students from California to
architecture students to explore the swissnex
Key Connections
Lausanne adapted the concept of dye-sensitized solar
building in varying levels of light.
ecal
– MIT Museum for Typography exhibit
ecal – The
Lab at Harvard for Sunny
ecal
helped us to attract American Boston is an essential partner of the internationalization strategy of
ecal.”
Memories Cabaret Voltaire, Zurich – Harvardaffiliated American Repertory Theater for The Blue Flower
Pierre Keller Director,
ecal
Collaboration with swissnex San Francisco for its series on Light
18
swissnex Boston 2010
arts and science
19
media and publications
swissnex model soars into twittersphere More than media penetration, 2010 was the year of
audience of a half million about the inter-consular
media diversification. swissnex Boston’s pursuits and
soccer tournament we organized.
Key Events Appeared on National Public Radio ( npr ) twice
activities rippled across the Boston area, across the pond, and across the range of media.
Events surrounding around our tenth anniversary
We actively utilized swissnex Boston as a platform for
sites, particularly the
research collaborations. Several articles in scholarly
alliance made possible by the Bertarelli Foundation’s
1,300+ social media followers
and trade journals emphasized both the mounting
$9-million donation.
40 articles published in traditional and online media
were featured on Swiss television and online news epfl /Harvard
Medical School
trend towards science diplomacy and the unique “ppp” swissnex business model.
And we soared into the “Twittersphere” as event
2 reports on swissnex Boston carried by Swiss television
Key Numbers
40 YouTube videos
participants tweeted questions to our expert panels, This energy extended beyond the books, however. Our energy was picked up on the airwaves of
npr,
indicative of a virtual presence that now extends to all major social media outlets.
where we were interviewed in June for an estimated
20
swissnex Boston 2010
media and publications
21
finance and metrics 55%
7.75 %
contributions
2010
strengthening our ppp In 2010, swissnex Boston’s unique business model moved closer towards the ideal
ppp
(public-private
diplomacy becomes the norm over the next ten years, swissnex Boston is happy to work with the consulates
partnership), expanding our private sector base of
of other countries in seizing upon this novel form of
sponsorship and partners.
nation-branding, outreach and collaboration by virtue of our seven key missions:
Our bottom-up approach allowed us to diversify
1
Strengthen Switzerland’s reputation as a center of science
2
Maintain a network of contacts with universities, research institutions and companies, and support Swiss scientists
funding, particularly in-kind support, which enhanced
3
Promote the interests of Switzerland and the presence of Swiss research, technology and know-how
our ability to connect our guests.
4
Support internationalization efforts of Swiss institutions
5
Coordinate the network of partner institutions and researchers to develop a tradition of knowledge exchange
proven not only successful but also reproducible, fast
6
Expand brand-building, public relations and media coverage
becoming a standard in public diplomacy. As science
7
Extend bilateral research cooperation programs
our portfolio of activities while remaining au fait with the real needs of educators, policy-makers and entrepreneurs. It also gave us additional sources of
Indeed, the model adopted by swissnex Boston has
22
swissnex Boston 2010
finance and me trics
37.
Contributions
25
ser
Operating
$781,375
ser
Projects
$162,455
Third-party Contributions
$1,154,114
Cash
$316,664
In-kind non-project
$299,80
In-kind Project
$537,650
%
2008
2009
2010
ser
Operating
$462,000
$572,619
$781,375
ser
Projects
$90,000
$167,000
$162,455
Third-party Contributions
$454,000
$875,351
$1,154,114
Total
$1,006,000
$1,614,970
$2,097,943.54
23
partners and sponsors Tufts University
a wider web of collaboration
Harvard University
As a public-private partnership whose mandate
de Vaud, Presence Switzerland through its Think Swiss
is “connecting the dots,� swissnex Boston is both
program, academic partners epfl and eth, and ecal and
founded and functions daily on the support and
ehl,
MIT
Lesley University
Cambridge Innovation Center
for our tenth anniversary celebration.
interface of partners and sponsors. Swiss American Chamber of Commerce
As always, we are eternally grateful to our chief In 2010, these collaborations reached new heights
sponsors for making such fruitful collaboration
as we expanded our support base, particularly in the
possible: our core founding partner Lombad Odier,
private sector. We broadened our alliances with both
Credit Suisse for its
Swiss and American partners, other swissnex outposts,
Secretariat for Education and Research ( ser ) for
and Swiss and foreign consulates, which generated an
its funding.
it
MOITI
support and the State Boston University
outstanding level of teamwork in every field.
Boston College Indeed, as the illustration shows, the network of
Particularly, we were proud to partner with the Swiss
cross-continental collaboration that swissnex Boston
Innovation Promotion Agency (cti), the Federal Office for
has sustained grew extensively in 2010, taking our
Professional Education and Technology (opet), Canton
mission further.
MassChallenge Northeastern University MassMEDIC Massachusetts Clean Energy Center
Babson College
New England Clean Energy Council Boston World Partnerships
Map of Worchester, MA
Worcester Polytechnic Institute
24
swissnex Boston 2010
partners and sponsors
Map of Providence, RI
Rhode Island School of Design
25
Babson College
Bern University of Applied Sciences
Boston College
Board of Higher Education, Canton de Vaud
Boston University
Canton Basel-Stadt–Cantons of Northwestern Switzerland
Boston World Partnerships
ECAL
Cambridge Innovation Center
EPFL-ECAL Lab
Harvard University
EPF Lausanne
Lesley University
ETH Zurich
Massachusetts Clean Energy Center
Federal Office for Professional Education and Technology
MassChallenge
Fribourg School of Business Administration Northwestern Switzerland Universities of Applied Sciences
MIT
Rectors’ Conference of Swiss Universities of Applied Sciences
MOITI
Thurgau University of Teacher Education
New England Clean Energy Council Northeastern Universty
University of Basel
Rhode Island School of Design
University of Geneva
Swiss American Chamber of Commerce
University of St.Gallen
Tufts University
venturelab
Worcester Polytechnic Institute
Zurich University of Applied Sciences
Continuing Teacher Education program
Massachusetts Innovation Tour
Networking New York seminar
Sunny Memories exhibit
Executive Education program
Memorandum of Understanding
New Markets and Technology Entrepreneurship seminar
St.Gallen Wings of Excellence/Global MBA-FSI
Executive MBA International Management program
Memorandum of Understanding (School of Nursing)
Translational Neuroscience and Neuroengineering
Types We Can Make exhibit
Future of Cities panel discussion
MIT Career Fair
Seminar on R&D policy
Workshop on Strategic Paths for Future Energy Systems
Global Perspective program
Monitoring Compliance with Corporate Codes of Conduct seminar
Succeeding in the Green Economy — Skills Matter! workshop
Venture Leaders bootcamp
10th anniversary
here’s to the next ten years! In the presence of Federal Councillor Didier
chefs, and discussion, with paired speakers of young
Burkhalter; Thierry Lombard, founding partner of
talents and pioneering partners.
Lombard Odier; Manuel Sager, Ambassador of Switzerland to the USA, and a host of friends,
It was not merely a festivity but also a testament to
dignitaries and sponsors, we commemorated an
the value of “connecting the dots”: relationships that
historic milestone on October 28, 2010: the tenth
stand the test of time. It was also a way of looking
anniversary of the swissnex network.
forward with a collective consciousness and a resolution to face the challenges of the next decade
Among the likes of ecal
epfl
President Patrick Aebischer,
Director Pierre Keller and swissnex directors
past and present, the evening was both gala reception, with exquisite culinary creations by
together, where idea generation through collaboration within and beyond the burgeoning swissnex network would surmount — we are certain — any obstacle.
ehl
Here’s to the next ten years of “connecting the dots!”
26
swissnex Boston 2010 10 th
anniversary
27
outlook
the next 10 years of connecting the dots In the end, celebrating ten years of Swiss science diplomacy was less about acknowledging past achievements and more about envisaging future challenges. Our strong set of stakeholders has expanded exponentially and served to remind us that connecting the dots will take on a new form in the future. So we pooled their collective intelligence to brainstorm the swissnex vision and mission for 2020 and beyond. The 10 big ideas that emerged all speak to the collaborative nature of our work, and we hope they will inspire your own reflections on the future of science diplomacy. We look forward to building the next decade with you.
28
swissnex Boston 2010
outlook
29
staff
My five years at swissnex Boston were a highlight in my career. Boston offered me unparalleled opportunities to work with many outstanding colleagues, interns, experts and world-class organizations. I enjoyed the amazing swissnex Boston team spirit: thinking, planning, decision-making and execution were done cooperatively. Every year, we laid the groundwork for all team members to go the extra mile and to transform challenges into
Pascal Marmier
Kati Reusche
Heike Saenze, Sam Foerstler and
opportunities. My heartfelt thanks to all of you!
Consul and Director since 2008
Executive Assistant and Project Manager
Philipp Voser
since 2004
IT Specialists New in 2011
Emil Wyss
Andreas Rufer
Deputy Consul, swissnex Boston (2005–2010)
Deputy Consul, Head of Administration and
Sophie Sithamma
Project Manager, Arts, Culture and Society
Accounting and administration assistant
since August 2010
since 2009
Jacqueline Gasser-Beck
Denzil Mohammed
Advisor for Education and Academic Affairs
Communication Specialist since 2009
Thomas Boillat Intern, Project Management Sabine Ledermann Intern, Project Management
since 2009 Angela Rupp Nina Ryser
Intern, Project Management, 2010
Intern, Project Management, SACC
Advisor for Innovation and Entrepreneurship since January 2010 Pierre Dorsaz
Marie-Charlotte Bagnoud
Francesco Albertini Intern, Project Management since
Claudia Schusterbauer
August 2010
Consultant, Life Sciences
Project Manager, Communication and Outreach since 2009 30
swissnex Boston 2010
staff
31