Washington, DC – In a thought-provoking address at the Washington Educational and Cultural Attaché Association (WECAA) first meeting of 2024, held at the Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center on Friday, March 15, 2024, His Excellency Ambassador Jacques Pitteloud, Switzerland’s Ambassador to the United States, shed light on the essential role of diplomacy, scientific collaboration, and educational exchange in cultivating mutual understanding and global cooperation.
Ambassador Pitteloud began by expressing his enthusiasm for diplomacy, describing it as “the best job in the world” due to the opportunities it offers to connect with diverse people and cultures. He humorously noted similarities between diplomats and journalists in their perpetual quest for knowledge and understanding.
Reflecting on Switzerland’s relationship with the United States, Ambassador Pitteloud noted the absence of major bilateral issues, except for the ongoing debate over the term “Swiss cheese” which he entertainingly pointed out the light-hearted discrepancy.
He stated unequivocally, “we have no bilateral issues between the countries except the fact that you have this approximation of cheese that you name Swiss cheese. We can focus on what’s really important. And what is really important are the diplomatic, scientific, economic, and educational ties. We have so much in common. We have so many strategic interests in common. I sometimes wonder whether we are the 51st state of the union. We share many similarities but a few differences. In education, research, and innovation.”
Furthermore, the Ambassador commended the robust educational systems of both Switzerland and the United States, observing their consistent top rankings internationally. He attributed this success to both countries’ openness to what he termed “brain circulation,” and/ or talent migration, particularly in the scientific and academic sectors.
Ambassador Pitteloud pointed to Switzerland’s unique position as a European country competing with American universities, thereby promoting international cooperation and the exchange of talent to drive innovation and progress.
One of the key topics addressed by Ambassador Pitteloud was Switzerland’s renowned apprenticeship system, which he credited for the country’s economic success. He contrasted Switzerland’s focus on vocational training with what he viewed as an “unhealthy obsession” with college degrees in the United States.
The Ambassador called for closer collaboration between academia and the private sector, citing the effectiveness of Swiss apprenticeship models in meeting evolving industry needs.
His speech also touched on initiatives such as the “Think Swiss” program, fostering exchanges between Swiss and American students, and the value of university and academic partnerships in driving innovation and knowledge-sharing.
In addition, he asserted Switzerland’s unique cultural diversity and its role as a mediator and interpreter between different cultures and perspectives.
Ambassador Pitteloud ended his presentation by emphasizing the crucial role of personal mobility and cultural exchange in building mutual understanding and dispelling misconceptions among States. He aptly conveyed: “It’s about everyone realizing that you go abroad to learn something. You go abroad to learn from people who might be different from you but they probably know things that you don’t know.”
Ambassador Jacques Pitteloud is the former Head of the Swiss Intelligence Service (FIS). He previously, served as the Ambassador to Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi, Somalia, and the Seychelles from 2010 to 2015 before he became the Ambassador of Switzerland to the United States, a position he has held since 2019.
A special thank you to @Wecaa_official for bringing so many nations together to discuss the importance of educational cooperation. Highlighting the benefits of the 🇨🇭#apprenticeship model and languages are key to our success. pic.twitter.com/17JHV2zp0Y
— Jacques Pitteloud (@SwissAmbUSA) March 15, 2024
