American Swiss Foundation
 American Swiss Foundation  (Influence organization)    | |
|---|---|
| Formation | 1945 |
| Headquarters | New York City, USA |
| Subpage | •American Swiss Foundation/Young Leaders |
| More than 1,400 US and Swiss future leaders have been selected to participate in it Young Leaders program since 1990. | |
The American Swiss Foundation is a private non-profit influence organization headquartered in New York. It was founded in 1945[1] "to preserve and strengthen the historic friendship between the United States and Switzerland".[2]
Over the years, the group changed names, and at various times was known as Friends of Switzerland and the American Swiss Association, mirroring the change in focus and priorities of the leadership of the day.[3]
Young Leaders Conference
- Full article: American Swiss Foundation/Young Leaders
- Full article: American Swiss Foundation/Young Leaders
The main program of the American Swiss Foundation is the Young Leaders Conference.
Held in Switzerland each year since 1990, the conference brings together approximately 50 Americans and Swiss aged 28-40 for a week of intensive discussion and exchange on a broad range of current issues of importance to U.S.-Swiss relations; meetings with high-level diplomatic, government, business, media, and cultural leaders; and excursions to Switzerland’s beautiful mountains and historic landmarks. Participants are selected based on nominations by trusted advisors of the American Swiss Foundation. Because this is the Foundation’s defining program, the selection process is extremely competitive.[4]
In 1989, U.S. Ambassador to Switzerland Faith Whittlesey became chairman and president of the newly renamed American Swiss Foundation. Whittlesey took the organization from being social in nature, to one that focused on "nurturing and investing in rising leaders from the business, political, and academic worlds, as well as in the media and nonprofit sector".[3]
More than 1,400 alumni have been selected to participate in the Young Leaders Conference.[4]
