Interview with the Director of the Fondation suisse
After studying Islamology, sociology and English at the University of Berne (Switzerland), I taught for several years at the Institut d’études islamiques at the same establishment, all whilst pursuing my doctorate. I carried out research trips to Cairo as a part of this. After obtaining my degree, I benefitted from a “politics and science” scholarship which allowed me to work for the Swiss Federal Government. Between 2011 and 2015 I occupied the role of scientific councillor, then deputy head at the division of international relations for the State Secretary regarding training, research and innovation of the Swiss Confederation.
Coming from a multinational company and passionate about languages and travel, as well as being sensitive to questions about migration and peace, cultural diversity and the promotion of tolerance was particularly close to my heart. The Cité internationale seemed to me like the ideal place to live and experience diversity by encouraging, through exchanges between residents, the creation of a respectful environment in line with the Cité internationale’s founding values.
Coming from a multinational company and passionate about languages and travel, as well as being sensitive to questions about migration and peace, cultural diversity and the promotion of tolerance was particularly close to my heart. The Cité internationale seemed to me like the ideal place to live and experience diversity by encouraging, through exchanges between residents, the creation of a respectful environment in line with the Cité internationale’s founding values.
Mr Roberto Balzaretti has a doctorate degree in law from the University of Berne. He joined the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (DFAE) in 1991. After finishing his training in Berne and at the Suisse Mission to the European Communities in Brussels, he worked in Berne at the Directorate of public international law before being assigned to the Swiss embassy in Washington in 1997. He returned to the Directorate of public international law in 1999 and was appointed as head of the Division of public international law, human rights and humanitarian international law in 2003.
In 2004, Mr Balzaretti was appointed as Diplomatic Council to the head of the department with the title Ambassador. In 2008 he was assigned to the permanent Mission of Switzerland to the United Nations and other international organisations in Geneva as the special representative to the Human Rights Council. In the same year he was appointed to the role of DFAE General Secretary by the Federal Council.
From 2012 to 2016, Mr Balzaretti directed the Mission of Switzerland to the EU in Brussels. From 2016 to 2018, he was at the head of the Directorate of public international law as well as a Legal Advisor for the DFAE. The Federal Council appointed him as Director of the Directorate of European affairs and Coordinator for all of the negotiations with the EU on the 1st February 2018 with the title Secretary of State.
Mr Balzaretti assumed his role as Swiss Ambassador in France and in the Principality of Monaco on the 2nd of December 2020.