In early November, Eva Herzog, President of the Council of States of Switzerland, will lead a parliamentary delegation on an official visit to South Korea. As an integral part of this visit, Dagmar Schmidt Tartagli, Ambassador of Switzerland to the Republic of Korea, will showcase a series of events designed to highlight and strengthen the ongoing collaborations between the two nations across various domains, including climate change, science, design, and the arts.
Panel Discussion on Climate and Peacebuilding
A central event during this visit is the panel discussion titled "Women at the Nexus of Climate, Conflict, and Peacebuilding." This discussion is a collaborative effort between the Swiss Embassy and the UN Women's Centre of Excellence for Gender Equality in Korea. It complements the "Digital Dilemmas—Civilians at Heart" exhibition held at the War Memorial Museum in Seoul, which is co-organized with the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC). The panel aims to address the intersection of women, peace, and security within global climate challenges. Distinguished participants include Eva Herzog and H.E. Ban Ki-moon, former Secretary-General of the United Nations and current Global Green Growth Institute President. The exhibition will be open until November 16, offering insights into how digitalization affects civilian protection in conflict zones while commemorating the 75th anniversary of the Geneva Conventions.
Cultural and Language Celebrations
Adding to the cultural exchange initiatives, the Embassy of Switzerland will co-host the Day of the German Language at the Goethe-Institut on November 30. This event follows the successful Francophonie and Italian Language Week celebrations and is collaboratively organized with embassies and institutions from German-speaking countries. It will feature various activities, such as a panel discussion on linguistic diversity, a performance by an alumni ensemble, and opportunities to experience German culinary specialties.
Swiss-Korean Life Science Symposium
The 11th Swiss-Korean Life Science Symposium is scheduled for October 31 at the Novartis Campus in Basel, Switzerland. This event will gather leaders from public research, healthcare, industry, and digital technologies to focus on "Unlocking the Power of International Partnerships: Personalized Health." Sessions will cover AI applications in healthcare and future frontiers in neuroscience, underscoring the symposium as a crucial platform for bilateral innovation.
Design and Art Installations
In design, the Swiss Embassy will host a PechaKucha night, inviting eight designers from Switzerland and Korea to present their creative processes. This event is part of the Public Design Festival, featuring prominent Korean designers and Swiss designers selected by the Swiss Arts Council, Pro Helvetia. Concurrently, the ECAL x AGO Lighting exhibition and Cinematica by Atelier Oï PRIVÉ and Korean artist Park Jiha will explore innovative lighting and sound installations inspired by Seoul's iconic landmarks, blending traditional and contemporary elements.
Global Science Film Festival Screening
On November 8, the Swiss Embassy will participate in the 6th Global Science Film Festival by screening the documentary "AI as a Friend: Does a Chatbot Relationship Work?" The event will include a panel discussion featuring ten international experts and provide networking opportunities, highlighting Switzerland’s commitment to global scientific discourse.
Musical Exchange and Seasonal Festivities
Swiss mandolinists will collaborate with Korean artists for a joint performance in music, exemplifying the cultural exchange between the two countries. Furthermore, the 4321 Market will return in mid-December at Songeun in Seoul. Inspired by the ECAL Christmas market in Lausanne, this market will feature design objects and artworks from emerging Korean designers with ties to Switzerland, celebrating the Christmas season with a unique blend of Swiss-Korean artistic influences.
These extensive activities illustrate the depth of the Swiss-Korean partnership and further solidify their commitment to advancing bilateral relations through cultural, scientific, and artistic exchanges.
