former Federal Councillor and former President of the Confederation
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
Wednesday, 30. October 2019, 18:30 – 20:00 h
At the University of Zurich, Rämistrasse 71, 8006 Zurich
Ai Weiwei is one of the most interesting personalities of our age. Not only is he a stimulating artist and provocateur, but also a chronicler of our times and a critic of regimes, one whose messages shake people up and provide constant inspiration to ponder over.
On this evening he will receive the Frank Schirrmacher Prize 2019 in Zurich.
The laudation will be given by former federal councillor, Micheline Calmy-Rey. The event will be rounded off with a round-table discussion between Ai Weiwei, Micheline Calmy-Rey and Uli Sigg.
Tuesday, 11. May 2021, 18:30 – 20:00 h
From the Studio
In conversation with Dr Katja Gentinetta.
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 Its concept is looked upon as outdated; as merely regulating military issues between a neutral state and a conflict party.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.