Neutrality characterises Switzerland’s position both in Europe and throughout the world. In the course of history, neutrality has become a political instrument. The image of Switzerland as an island of peace and impartial mediator is increasingly being questioned – especially with regard to colonial entanglements or links to the Nazi regime.

The panel with Rohit Jain, social anthropologist, Mandy Abou Shoak, politician and expert on violence prevention, as well as diversity-sensitive organisational facilitator, Marco Jorio, author of Switzerland and its Neutrality (2023), will discuss neutrality as part of the Swiss identity. The event will be moderated by artist-researcher Denise Bertschi, currently Early-Career Fellow at Collegium Helveticum, ETH Zurich.

Neutrality in the context of global politics and brings together expertise from the worlds of art, politics and science. Each event highlights a specific topic related to neutrality.