Asia Society Switzerland is an independent Swiss non-profit organization dedicated to Asia. Our mission is to foster Asia Competence and prepare Switzerland for a deeper and more sustainable engagement with Asia. We do this by providing strategic intelligence, education, and training on Asia, and by building and maintaining Asia-related communities and networks.

We are part of the Asia Society network with 16 offices around the world, including 8 in Asia. Asia Society was founded in 1956 by John D. Rockefeller III, and our global President and CEO is Kyung-wha Kang, the former Foreign Minister of South Korea. Our global network gives us unparalleled access to international speakers and experts on a broad range of Asia issues.

Asia Society Switzerland was founded in 2016 and is financed entirely out of Switzerland. 
Our dedicated team, based in Zurich, ensures that our programs are relevant and tailored to a Swiss audience.   

Asia Society Switzerland is committed to connect people in business, policy, academia and culture, helping Switzerland to under­stand and engage with Asia and to navigate our shared futures.

Our Mission

Foster Asia Competence in Switzerland

Asia matters. For the last decades, the geopolitical and economical center of gravity of the world has continually shifted eastwards. Asia is no longer just a manufacturing hub, or a market opportunity – it is the world’s most populous and dynamic region. 

Asia, and what happens in Asia, influences Swiss society and businesses on every level. To navigate an "Asian Future", it is crucial to develop Asia Competence. 

We define Asia Competence not just as knowledge and understanding of Asia, but as an actionable skill which includes the ability to understand different viewpoints, and to access local and international networks related to Asia. In short, Asia Competence is the ability to operate in an Asian context.

"Since its founding, Asia Society has been the world's leading non-profit organization to enhance knowledge and understanding about Asia and create bridges between the region and the rest of the world. Today, that mandate is more important than ever." 

— Kyung-wha Kang, President and CEO, Asia Society

We deeply believe that only with increased Asia Competence and sustained engagement with Asia will Switzerland be able to continue to thrive in a multipolar world and play a constructive role in shaping the "Asian Future". For this reason, we have made it our mission to foster Asia Competence in Switzerland.

Our Value Propositions

Strategic Intelligence and Expert Access

Asia Competence requires actionable and usable intelligence. Through our global network across Asia, Europe, and the U.S., we connect with outstanding individuals, including world-renowned policymakers, thought leaders, authors, entrepreneurs, and experts from think tanks and academia. We host over 40 events annually, exploring diverse topics and disseminating key insights through videos, podcasts, and written content. Our newsletter, reaching over 5000 Asia-focused subscribers in Switzerland, keeps our community informed. Our experts are available for media and government discussions, and we actively engage in policy advocacy to promote Asia Competence.

Our annual flagship conference, STATE OF ASIA, provides a comprehensive overview of key developments in Asia and their global implications. Featuring leading experts from Asia, Europe, and the U.S., it fosters dialogue and discussion, making it a premier platform for global issues from an Asian perspective. Throughout the year, we host Executive Roundtables and Oxford Debates to tackle big questions with diverse and conflicting views. In 2023, we have established the TOY Senior Fellowship, with Dr. Simona Grano as the inaugural fellow and James Crabtree joining as the second fellow in July 2024.

Talent Developement and Education

Competence-building requires long-term talent development. We enhance Switzerland’s capability to engage with Asia, strengthening our prosperity and security for the future. Our educational programs foster Asia Competence in young talents and rising leaders, providing them with the insights and tools to analyze developments in Asia and identify opportunities for successful collaboration. Participants are encouraged to maintain a global mindset and commit to lifelong learning.

Asia Society Switzerland empowers young voices in the dialogue with Asia, recognizing youth as key to Switzerland's future success. Since 2020, we select 25 students and young professionals annually to become Fellows of the Gen A – Young Leadership Program. We host a series of expert roundtables and workshops for the Fellows exclusively, expose them to regions and topics outside their daily routine, and support their work on an indivdual project, featured at our STATE OF ASIA conference. Gen A is a community of young Asia-curious individuals in Switzerland, with alumni actively contributing as experts to our programs. 

To navigate the Asian Future, we offer Asia NEXT, an Executive Education Program in collaboration with IMD, designed for rising executives and leaders. This program advances understanding of significant geopolitical and economic developments in Asia, their impact on Switzerland and the world, and provides opportunities to engage with high-level experts and a community of like-minded professionals interested in Asia. 

Communities and Networks

At the heart of Asia Society Switzerland are our diverse communities and extensive network. We are committed to fostering meaningful exchanges among individuals and organizations across various sectors. By connecting Swiss leaders and communities with their peers in Asia and the global Asia Society network, we build relationships, share insights, and develop understanding for future engagement with Asia.

We have a thriving community of 700+ Members and partnerships with over 20 leading companies, as well as ETH and the University of Zurich. We also maintain active contact with government entities, foreign diplomats, think tanks, industry associations, NGOs, and media to bring together the Asia conversation.

A key pillar of our work are Arts and culture. Through the Big Picture event series, we celebrate various art forms, inviting artists and experts to share their practices. Our public events and members-only gatherings, such as Talks at the Library, Book Salons, and Members Get-Togethers, provide opportunities for Asia-minded individuals to forge connections, engage in discussions, and build a vibrant community.
Made up of Asia-connected individuals who generously support our work and engage with us on a deeper level is our growing Passport Community. Passport Members receive invitations to exclusive gatherings, such as Executive Roundtables, unique Art Tours, and special events like cooking demos with renowned chefs. 

How We Are Funded

We are an independent, non-profit Swiss organization, financed entirely out of Switzerland. We rely on the support of our Corporate Members, Patrons, Foundations, as well as our Passport and General Members. A small amount of funds originates from event revenues.

Asia Society Switzerland dedicates these funds to further our critical mission of increasing Asia Competence in Switzerland. They are used to host public and private events in Switzerland, to build our community through get-togethers and gallery and museum tours, to run our educational initiative Gen A – Young Leadership Program, as well as the Curator Residency, to create and publish our extensive editorial work, and finance our day-to-day operations.

Support Us

As a private person, foundation, or company you can make a big difference. Our ongoing and envisioned projects and initiatives, all aimed at fostering Asia Competence in Switzerland, need your support. If you would like to contribute to our organization, you can sign up as an individual member, become a Patron of Asia Society Switzerland or register your company or organization as a Corporate Member. Thank you for your support!

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