The 20th Annual Young Leaders Conference was held from November 7-14, 2009 at the Study Center Gerzensee, with principal sponsorship by the Swiss National Bank and Swiss International Air Lines. By all accounts the 2009 conference was an outstanding success. The 46 diverse Swiss and American participants experienced a rewarding week of intense dialogue and formed lasting relationships with new friends from both countries.
Highlights included:
Meeting newly appointed U.S. Ambassador to Switzerland, the Hon. Donald Beyer, at his official residence.
A tour of the Novartis Campus and discussion with Dr. Thomas Wellauer, Member of the Novartis Executive Committee; as well as a tour of the Syngenta biology greenhouses and dinner hosted by Michael Mack, CEO.
A luncheon hosted by Dr. Philipp M. Hildebrand, Chairman of the Swiss National Bank.
A personal tour of the Bundeshaus led by Member of Parliament Christa Markwalder Bär (’06).
The 20th Anniversary Alumni Reception in Bern, hosted by Raymond J. Bär (’93), where the class of 2009 had the opportunity to meet 130 past participants and hear from Mr. Bär and the Hon. Pascale Bruderer Wyss (’08).
A tour of the Swiss Army’s Mechanized Training Center in Thun.
Lively panel discussions and break-out groups on the subjects of the world economy, the US-Swiss diplomatic and business relationships, health care reform, and the Swiss humanitarian tradition completed the program.
Young Leaders Conference