In June 2016, Christian Hirsig travelled to the United States as a participant in the Young Transatlantic Leaders Initiative (YTILI), where he visited Washington, DC, Pittsburgh, and San Francisco with other innovators from Europe. During a discussion at Google, he was inspired by two panelists, both of whom were European entrepreneurs. One started a catering …
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This year marks the 43rd year the Department of State has produced annual Human Rights Reports. The United States Congress mandated these reports to provide policymakers with a holistic and accurate accounting of human rights conditions in nearly 200 countries and territories worldwide, including all member states of the United Nations and any country receiving …
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In collaboration with the U.S. Department of State, the U.S. Embassy in Bern has developed a two-week exchange program on Enhancing Health Care for Immigrant and Refugee Populations. Five experts from the Swiss health sector participated in the program. The core topics of the exchange were migrant health, mental health, and health literacy. On 27 …
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The U.S. Embassy Bern was happy to host the American violinist Gaelynn Lea from June 12 until June 21, 2018. She visited Switzerland as part of the State Department’s Arts Envoy Program. During her stay, Gaelynn met with several high school classes from Bern and Aargau and more than 100 students from the International School …
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Press Statement by Secretary of State Pompeo Washington, DC June 1, 2018 The United States joins people around the world in celebrating Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Intersex (LGBTI) Pride Month, and reaffirms its commitment to protecting and defending the human rights of all, including LGBTI persons. In many parts of the world, LGBTI individuals and their …
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On May 29, 2018 the U.S. Department of State released the International Religious Freedom Annual Report 2017 , which provides details on the status of religious freedom in various countries and territories. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo called religious freedom “a right belonging to every individual on the globe” and said the U.S. “stands with those who yearn for religious liberty.” At the …
Read More» The United States stands for the protection of fundamental freedoms and universal human rights. Our nation was founded on the bedrock principle that we are all created equal – and that every person is entitled to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. Around the world, far too many governments continue to arrest and abuse …
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On invitation by the U.S. Embassy in Bern, U.S. Youth Observer to the UN, Munira Khalif gave talks at two high schools in Bern and participated in a round table discussion with 15 young people. The topic of her talks and discussion was the importance of making education and schooling accessible to everyone, and especially …
Read More» Our history is rich with amazing stories of strong, courageous, and brilliant women. Since America’s founding, women have played an integral part in American innovation and productivity, while simultaneously raising generations of lively children and providing leadership in their local communities. Time and time again, women have demonstrated resilience in the face of unprecedented challenges. America’s …
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Ambassador McMullen is proud to commemorate Martin Luther King Day, which marks Dr. King’s birthday, and highlights the legacy of Martin Luther King, Jr. Dr. King’s inspiring words and actions in his fight for civil rights still resonate today. Martin Luther King, Jr. is an important figure in American history and culture. I grew up appreciating …
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International Day of Persons with Disabilities is annually held on December 3. The United Nations General Assembly resolution 47/3 proclaimed the annual observance of this Day in 1992. It aims to promote the rights and well-being of persons with disabilities in all spheres of society and development, and to increase awareness about the situation of persons with …
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U.S. Embassy Bern hosted human trafficking and forced labor expert, Ima Matul, for a three-day program. As a member of the U.S. Advisory Council on Human Trafficking and Survivor Coordinator for the Coalition to Abolish Slavery and Trafficking (CAST) in Los Angeles, Ima Matul worked to raise awareness on the growing incidence of human trafficking …
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Ima Matul will be in Switzerland in October 2017 on the invitation by the U.S. Embassy in Bern for several speaking engagements. Ima Matul is member of the U.S. Advisory Council on Human Trafficking and is the Survivor Coordinator for the Coalition to Abolish Slavery and Trafficking (CAST) in Los Angeles. Her visit takes place …
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On a sunny Saturday afternoon, staff from U.S. Embassy Bern joined the Bern Ouest Pride march. Six sections representing the colors of the rainbow kicked off the march from different parts of the city, coming together at the Bundesplatz. Embassy staff and family members walked along the orange route whose theme was “The Power of …
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On August 15, 2017 the U.S. Department of State released the International Religious Freedom Annual Report 2016 , which provides details on the status of religious freedom in 199 countries and territories. In his remarks on the release of the report, Secretary of State Rex Tillerson said: “No one should have to live in fear, worship in secret, or face discrimination …
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U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson will unveil the 2017 Trafficking in Persons (TIP) Report at 10:30 a.m. (Switzerland 16:30 h) on June 27, 2017, at the U.S. Department of State and will be joined by Advisor to the President Ivanka Trump. As required by the Trafficking Victims Protection Act, the TIP Report assesses government …
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President Donald J. Trump Proclaims March 2017 as Women’s History Month We are proud of our Nation’s achievements in promoting women’s full participation in all aspects of American life and are resolute in our commitment to supporting women’s continued advancement in America and around the world. America honors the celebrated women pioneers and leaders in …
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Promoting human rights and democratic governance is a core element of U.S. foreign policy. These values form an essential foundation of stable, secure, and functioning societies. Standing up for human rights and democracy is not just a moral imperative but is in the best interests of the United States in making the world more stable …
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On August 10 the U.S. State Department released the International Religious Freedom Report 2015 (PDF 63 KB). At the event unveiling the report, Deputy Secretary Anthony Blinken said, “When a government denies religious liberty, it turns citizens who have done nothing wrong into criminals, igniting tension that breeds contempt, hopelessness, alienation.” Switzerland Report (PDF 77 KB) and Liechtenstein Report (PDF 57 KB).
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Thank you Zurich Pride for the invitation to be here today to address this amazing group! In the fall of 1995, I moved in with Eric LeVine. We were 26 years old, unmarried and happy as could be – especially since he was (and is) a great cook and I am a great eater! By …
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On June 11, Ambassador LeVine, along with her husband Eric, led a delegation of diplomatic representatives in the Zurich Pride march. Before the march kicked off, Ambassador LeVine delivered opening remarks , addressed this year’s Pride theme – TeamForLove — focusing on the love that binds all families together regardless of the parents’ sexual orientation. She …
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