Committed to Switzerland.

The world-famous bestselling author, visionary and historian Professor Dr Yuval Noah Harari will give a keynote speech on the impact of artificial intelligence on society, the economy and politics on the 9th of November 2024 at the Prix Suisse awards ceremony in the Kursaal Bern.

On 9th November 2024, the Prix Suisse will be awarded for the fourth time. The award is presented annually to an outstanding Swiss personality from the fields of business, science, sport or culture. This year's Prix Suisse honours an exceptional figure from the field of culture and goes to Büne Huber from Patent Ochsner. Federal Councillor Beat Jans will present the Prix Suisse 2024 in a festive ceremony in the Kursaal Bern in the presence of four hundred invited guests from business, politics, administration, sport and culture and honour Büne Huber for his outstanding achievements and great merits as a musician, painter and artist.

The winners of the True Story Award 2024 were announced in Bern on Friday evening. Federal Councillor Elisabeth Baume-Schneider opened the award ceremony in front of 300 guests, including the 36 nominated reporters. Afterwards, cartoonist Patrick Chappatte outlined the current state of the global media landscape in an exciting keynote speech. The highlight of the evening was the announcement of the three award winners by the main jury.

From May 23 - 24, 2024, the One Young World Switzerland National Congress took place, for which Initiative Switzerland is a Gold Partner. Young leaders from Switzerland were able to spend two exciting days on the topic of “Leadership with Integrity” and expand their network.

Shortly before the Prix Suisse was held, the Swiss Initiative confirmed its continued partnership as "Leading Partner" of EntrepreneurSkills.

On October 13, 2023, the President of the National Council Martin Candinas invited to the meeting of the presidents of the parliaments in the Federal Palace. Initiative Switzerland supported the event and surprised the guests with a gift, which will now be distributed from the federal capital to all language regions of Switzerland.

President Bill Clinton comes to the Prix Suisse 2023, ski racer Marco Odermatt is honored for his outstanding achievements and the reigning world culinary champions show their skills.

On May 23, 2023, the 2291 Festival took place for the first time in the Kursaal Bern with around 200 interested participants. While during the day the participants were able to deal with various future topics in workshops, in the evening the discourse was put into the extended round and in various panels the speakers were able to provide valuable food for thought for the future.

On May 23, 2023, the 2291 Festival will take place for the first time in the Kursaal Bern. At this newly created festival, 2291 offers thematic spaces for colorful thoughts, opens surprising new perspectives, expands comfort zones and creates a momentum for projects. At this festival, what can change Switzerland tomorrow is created.

The Prix Suisse 2022 goes to Martine Clozel. The award was presented by the President of the National Council, Irène Kälin, the highest Swiss citizen. Martine Clozel is a doctor, scientist and entrepreneur. In 1997, she co-founded Actelion and, in 2017, Idorsia, which builds on her 20 years of experience in pharmaceutical research. The Prix Suisse is an annual award presented by the non-profit organisation Initiative Switzerland to prominent figures who have made outstanding contributions to Switzerland.

The fourth Connexa Helvetica event was held in October 2022 at the Eranos Foundation in Ascona. At this meeting, the discussion focused on the myth of "storytelling" and how important it is to tell your story. In the intimate round, two talents of the region met with the COO of the Locarno Film Festival, Raphaël Brunschwig.

The third Connexa Helvetica event was held in September 2022 at the Haus der Begegnung in Ilanz/Glion. The focus of the discussion at this meeting was the Romansh language and its significance and importance. In addition to around 15 interested people, the National Councilor Martin Candinas (CVP) also took part.