© Pictures by André Hengst

On May 10, Asia Society Switzerland proudly hosted the second annual Gen A Day at Karl der Grosse in Zurich – a vibrant gathering celebrating the diverse expertise and dynamic spirit of the Gen A Community, which has grown to over 100 members in recent years.

The program began with inspiring opening remarks by our Asia Society Switzerland Board Member Estelle Oltramare, followed by warm facilitation from our Masters of Ceremony Martina Froehlich and Krish Zimmermann, and an engaging icebreaker session led by Michele Bing and Myrta Brunner that set the tone for open exchange and connection.

The afternoon featured a keynote by Dr. Rahul Sahgal, CEO of the Swiss-American Chamber of Commerce, whose reflections on personal growth and navigating an international career resonated with many in the room. The program also included two compelling Gen A Talks organized by our very own Gen A Alumni – showcasing the diverse perspectives from across the Gen A Community, sparking rich discussions on key issues of our times. Jeanette Gautschi, last year’s Gen A Alumni Travel Grant recipient, shared an update on her research progress, made possible by IMP AG. 

With the generous support of our Patron Nicolas Oltramare, the Gen A Day offers a platform for young Asia experts from all kinds of fields to engage in open dialogue on all things Asia, to reconnect with their peers, to meet new Fellows, and to stay connected to Asia through people, ideas, and food.

We are very grateful to the Ernst Göhner Stiftung and the Hirschmann Stiftung for supporting the overall Gen A – Young Leadership Program.

Interested in joining next year? Keep an eye out for the Gen A – Young Leadership Program call for applications in November, and follow us on social media to stay updated.

Find more on our mission to foster Asia Competence here.

Gen A Talks:

Perspectives from within the Gen A Community

The Gen A Talks, organized and curated this year by the Gen A Alumni Core Group, bring together past and current Fellows to share diverse perspectives from across the Gen A Community and address key issues of our time by presenting their insights, experience, and ongoing research.

Voice and Visibility in Asia’s Changing Social Media Landscape

With Amy Weng, Julia Lechbinska, and Simon Stocker, moderated by Joseph Christian Agbagala

© Picture by André Hengst

Social media is transforming how people across the world learn, connect, and engage – and nowhere is this more visible than in Asia. But the region's digital ecosystems are far from uniform. From shaping narratives and identities to influencing geopolitics, commerce, and culture, these rapidly evolving platforms raise critical questions about who gets to speak and be heard, and how power is exercised online. In this panel, Gen A Fellows, Amy Weng, Julia Lechbinska, and Simon Stocker share insights from their respective fields on how social media is both shaping and being shaped by Asia's shifting political, business, and cultural dynamics, with a particular focus on China. Moderated by Joseph Christian Agbagala, who co-organized this Gen A Talk with Walter Vlad.

Amy Weng, Gen A 2025 Fellow, is an entrepeneur and the founder of Think East. She supports Swiss companies and institutions in connecting with China through branding, digital marketing, and creative projects that promote cultural understanding and collaboration.

Julia Lechbinska, Gen A 2023 Fellow, is a gallerist and art historian that serves as a cultural bridge for East Asian contemporary in Switzerland. Her role involves connecting artists and an international network of collectors through the Zurich based Lechbinska Gallery.

Simon Stocker, Gen A 2024 Fellow, has a background in International Relations and is a Senior Researcher at the Avenir Suisse think thank, where he mostly focuses on energy issues.

Joseph Christian Abgabala, Gen A 2024 Fellow, is a PhD candidate at the Center for Security Studies (CSS) at ETH Zurich. With an International Relations beackground, his research focuses on military organization deterrence studies, and alliance politics.

Shaping Smart Cities: Human Priorities and Global Strategies

With Francis Müller, Hanbit Lee, and Jean-Baptiste Sebgo, moderated by Chirine Sunderland

© Picture by André Hengst

As cities around the world embrace technology to improve urban life, smart cities are becoming key arenas where innovation, governance, and human priorities intersect. But these developments raise urgent questions: Who are smart cities really designed for? Who gets left out? And how can technology serve not just efficiency, but equity and sustainability? In this panel, Gen A Fellows Francis Müller, Hanbit Lee, and Jean-Baptiste Sebgo share perspectives across disciplines and regions on how smart city strategies can stay human-centered and globally relevant. Moderated by Chirine Sunderland, who co-organized this Gen A Talk with Liliane Krüsi.

Francis Müller, Gen A 2020 Fellow, is a Junior Associate at CONSAVO Legal AG and has a deep interest in the legal implications of emerging technologies for the real economy, including digitization and robotics in industrial processes and international trade.

Hanbit Lee, Gen A 2025 Fellow, is an environmental systems researcher investigating urban energy transitions from a socio-technical perspective. She's a PhD candidate at the École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL).

Jean-Baptiste Sebgo, Gen A 2024 Fellow, works as a freelance political and security advisor, collaborating with Chinese companies that are investing in Africa and Europe. He's currently involved in official relations management at the International Labour Organization (ILO) in Geneva.

Chirine Sunderland, Gen A 2021 Fellow, is an international business and trade specialist with extensive experience in Europe-Korea relations and over fifteen years of engagement with the Korean peninsula. She has an academic background in Korean Studies and holds a MSc in East Asian Business.

On The Ground: The Gen A Alumni Travel Grant

With Jeanette Gautschi

© Picture by André Hengst

Jeanette Gautschi is an Alliance Operations Specialist at KPMG Switzerland, where she facilitates strategic relationships between international tech firms and KPMG. She holds a degree in International Management from the Zurich University of Applied Sciences and was awarded the Gen A Alumni Travel Grant in 2024, which is generously supported by IMP AG. The grant provides CHF 10,000 to support a 6-12-week research project in Asia, carried out by a selected Gen A Fellow.

Jeanette's project explores the creation of a sustainable supply chain for solar roof tiles from China to Switzerland, with the goal of launching a start-up that adapts these products for the Swiss market. As part of her master’s thesis at the Fachhochschule Nordwestschweiz (FHNW), she is conducting market research in Switzerland and sourcing potential suppliers in China to identify new business opportunities for Swiss companies. At this year's Gen A Day, she shared an update on the progress of her research and her recent travel to Shenzhen and the Greater Bay Area.

Support the Gen A – Young Leadership Program and the Gen A Day

We are proud to offer the Gen A – Young Leadership Program free of charge and are continually striving to enhance its value for both our Fellows and Alumni. If you would like to support our efforts, here are a few ways to get involved:

• Become a Gen A Expert: Are you professionally engaged with Asia? Share your expertise! We are always seeking dynamic speakers with unique career journeys and a passion for mentoring the next generation of (thought-)leaders.
• Provide Financial Support: Help us grow by sponsoring a Fellowship or an Alumni event, such as the Gen A Day.
• Share Your Ideas: Have suggestions on how we can improve the program? We'd love to hear from you!

Your contributions – whether through knowledge, resources, or feedback – help us continue building a thriving community of Asia-focused professionals. Thank you for your support!

Thank you!

The Gen A Day is generously supported by Nicolas Oltramare. 

The Gen A – Young Leadership Program is made possible with the support of Ernst Göhner Foundation, the Hirschmann Foundation, the Gen A Alumni Travel Grant is supported by IMP AG.