The former President of the Confederation and author in conversation with political philosopher Dr Katja Gentinetta.
Tuesday, 11. May 2021, 18:30 – 20:00 h
Live from the Studio
In her book published in 2020, which also contains contributions by Jean Ziegler, Roger Köppel and Paul Seger, former Federal Councillor and head of the FDFA, Micheline Calmy-Rey advocates a contemporary interpretation of Swiss neutrality. Its concept is looked upon as outdated; as merely regulating military issues between a neutral state and a conflict party. Instead, Calmy-Rey shows what neutrality can still achieve today, for example in the areas of terrorism, cyber attacks or domestic violence. She also sees neutrality as an inspiration for the EU.
What can Swiss neutrality stand for today – and what does a neutral EU mean? Katja Gentinetta talks to Micheline Calmy-Rey about these questions.
Micheline Calmy-Rey studied political science at the University of Geneva. She was a member of the Cantonal Parliament of the Canton of Geneva (1981-1997), President of the Cantonal Parliament of the Canton of Geneva and of the SPS of the Canton of Geneva (1986-1990, 1993-1997), as well as a Member of the Government Council of the Canton of Geneva (1997-2002), most recently as President for two years. From 2003-2011, Calmy-Rey served as a Federal Councillor, including as President of the Swiss Confederation in 2007 and 2011. In 2010, she was President of the European Council. Since 2012, she has been a professor at the Global Studies Institute of the University of Geneva.
Photo: CH Media/Alex Spichale