WELCOME PROGRAMME 2020/2021 For Newcomers to Geneva’s International
hello welcome
in Geneva Dear Madam, Dear Sir,
If you are employed by an international governmental or non-governmental orga- nisation, a diplomatic mission, a consulate-general, a multinational company, have just arrived as a PhD student or a professor at Hôpitaux Universitaires de Genève or at the University and are interested in meeting people and joining the local community,
the Newcomer Network Service can help you and your family !
To receive our invitations, register by filling out the enclosed registration form.Don’t hesitate to follow us on Twitter @CagiGeneva, to be fully informed on our latest news, activities and events. Thanks to the support of public and private entities, all CAGI’s services are free of charge.
We hope to have the pleasure of welcoming you and counting you among our participants.
Salman Bal Director International Geneva Welcome Centre
Diane Zoelly President of the Newcomer Network Member of the Board of Fondation pour Genève Interactive summary
Welcome Call : a telephone call to welcome newcomers p. 4-5 Lunchtime conferences : on practical, cultural and social life in Geneva p. 6-7 International Geneva Welcome Centre Domaine «La Pastorale» Discover Geneva : Case postale 103 and the Lake Leman region 106, route de Ferney p. 8-10 Ch-1211 Genève 20 Tel. 022 546 14 00 Fax 022 546 14 19 Insiders’ Geneva : [email protected] discover regional events www.cagi.ch p. 11 Twitter @CagiGeneva The Escalade party : an infamous Geneva tradition p. 14
Open to all International and local Geneva residents Conversation Exchange Programme - BEL, the opportunity to practice a foreign language p. 12-13 Social Events of CAGI p. 15 International Geneva Welcome Centre
Founded in 1996 by the Swiss Confederation and the Canton of Geneva, the International Geneva Welcome Centre (CAGI) is funded by national, local, public and private entities. Its mission is to facilitate the settling-in and integration, to the Geneva and Lake Leman region, of all international civil servants (IO), members of permanent missions, consulates, NGOs, multinational companies, PhD students and professors at Hôpitaux Universitaires de Genève and at the University of Geneva, along with their families. Besides practical assistance, it organises and supports cultural and social events, enabling exchange between International Geneva and local communities.
Founding members Swiss Confederation, State of Geneva.
Associate members City of Geneva, Canton of Vaud, Association des Amis de la Fondation pour Genève, Building Fondation for International Organisations (FIPOI), Geneva Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Services (CCIG), Fédération des Entreprises Romandes Genève (FER), Fondation pour Genève, Genève Aéroport, Helvetia Assurances, Hôpitaux Universitaires de Genève (HUG), Services Industriels de Genève (SIG), Université de Genève (UNIGE). The International Geneva Welcome Centre is also supported by 25 other public and private entities (see p. 16). Services offered by the CAGI • Housing Service : assistance in finding accommodation, office space, advice on real estate (reserved for holders of a legitimation card delivered by the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs). Monthly information sessions on housing and related insurance. • Information Service : practical assistance on everyday needs, including information on schools, nurseries, language courses, insurance, cars, administration, etc. • A Cultural Kiosk at the United Nations Office at Geneva, located at Door C6 : ticket sales for all major events and information on cultural and tourism events in the Lake Leman region and Switzerland. • Events all year round. • Assistance to NGOs already based in Geneva, as well as those interested in setting up an office in the region, and we facilitate the stay of delegations (governmental or NGOs) participating in conferences organised by the actors of International Geneva. • A programme of activities for international newcomers to facilitate their integration and help them discover Geneva’s multicultural aspects and traditions. This programme is coordinated by CAGI and run by the Newcomer Network of the Fondation pour Genève, a group of Geneva-based volunteers who help the CAGI in its mission of welcoming and promoting relations between Geneva’s international community and the local population.
In order to facilitate your settlement and integration we produced four short movies with practical information on housing, education, health, and mobility, which you can watch on our website : www.cagi.ch/practical-geneva. Welcome call INFORMATION Based on the lists which are sent monthly by the DFAE, These welcome calls are greatly appreciated and give a Thursday a welcome letter is sent to those arriving during the personal touch which can in many cases bring immediate month, informing them of the services offered by the help or a rapid response to practical questions, faced 17th.9.20 CAGI, and specifically the programme of the Newcomer by all new arrivals. Network. These newcomers are then contacted by Thursday telephone by the 3 volunteers who are responsible for Organisers Banovsha (Bella) Afandiyeva, 18th.3.2021 the programme and who can cover 8 languages in total. Maria Teresa Dutli et Kasia Marzewski
Lunchtime conferences
All International newcomers to Geneva are invited Invitations will be sent to all 2020-2021 newcomers who to lunchtime conferences held throughout the year. have registered for the Welcome programme. These conferences provide newcomers with the op- portunity to learn about practical, social and cultural Organisers Brigitte Crompton, Danièle Lejoindre et aspects of life in the city. An informal sandwich lunch Chantal Sulzer will be offered in the presence of the speakers and the Geneva Welcome Network members. The CAGI monitors closely the evolution of the COVID-19 pandemic and will conform to the rules imposed by the Federal and Cantonal Administrations. INFORMATION Thursday Practical Geneva The key to a successful stay! Tips to facilitate your 17th.9.20 first steps in Geneva. Thursday 18th.3.2021
Thursday The Health and Healthcare Network in Geneva 24th.9.20 With the participation of The Association of Geneva’s (TBC) Private Clinics and Geneva University Hospital (HUG).
Thursday Geneva’s Public and Private Education Systems 28th.1.21 With the participation of The Republic and Canton of Geneva (Department of Public Education - DIP) and the Association of Geneva’s Private Schools (AGEP).
Thursday Summer 2021 : What to do in Geneva ? With the participation of the Geneva Tourism 17th.6.21 Foundation & Congress. Discover Geneva and the Lake Leman region
Discover Geneva and the Lake Leman region is a programme of excur- sions and visits for International newcomers :
1° Discover communes (Canton of Geneva and Canton of Vaud) and specific neighbourhoods in the Geneva region 2° Discover local institutions and companies
These excursions usually take place on N.B. In order to receive the invitations, you a monthly basis, on Saturdays, enabling need to fill out the enclosed registration you to participate with your spouse and form which can also be requested via children. The Newcomer Network’s email at [email protected] Geneva volunteers will facilitate personal contacts with participants. Other informal and «last minute» excur- sions will be proposed during the year by Registration to this programme is for one Charles Jaquemart and Claudia Carvajal, year (non-renewable) and free of charge; members of the Welcome Network please note that some events may require committee. a moderate financial contribution. The CAGI monitors closely the evolu- tion of the COVID-19 pandemic and will Organisers Laetitia Boulard, Regina conform to the rules imposed by the Cirmon, Anastasia Outkina et Karin Soller Federal and Cantonal Administrations. EXCURSIONS
The Old Town in the Teppes WEF time of the Snow- de Verbois Cologny Carouge Escalade shoeing Saturday Saturday Saturday Saturday Saturday 5th.9.20 oct. 20* nov. 20* 12th.12.20 30th.1.21
Boat cruise on the River Exclusive visit of the Discover this old city Discover medieval A snowshoe tour at Rhône and a walk to World Economic Forum of the Kingdom of Geneva and its secret the Col de la Givrine discover the site of the followed by a reception Sardinia, the charm of passages before in the Jura mountains, Teppes de Verbois which hosted by the authorities its secret gardens, the celebrating, in traditional followed by a hearty is a protected nature of Cologny. Afternoon: creativity of its artists manner, the triumph of cheese fondue meal in zone. Family picnic prior optional guided tour and craftsmen/women, the Genevans over the the late afternoon. to returning to Geneva of the Bodmer the originality and the Savoyards at a private by train. Foundation. quality of its shops and club in the Old Town. *the date will be the conviviality of its specified later inhabitants, followed bye a reception hosted by the authorities of Carouge. *the date will be specified later EVENTS
TPG Transports Publics Château Genevois Nyon Aubonne de Mont The Bol d’Or Saturday Saturday Saturday Saturday Saturday feb. 21* 20th.3.21 24th.4.21 8th.5.21 12th.6.21
Guided tour of the nerve Welcome reception A guided visit of the Walk and visit of the Invitation to a private centre of the Public at Nyon Castle before Arboretum, a botanical private Domaine du property on the Transportation system exploring the town with a collection of trees and Château de Mont. Wine lakeshore to witness the of Geneva followed by guided tour. hedgerows from all over tasting and raclette. start of the world’s most a ride on an old historic the world. We are then important inland sailing tram through Geneva. invited by a member of race. Around 500 sailing *the date will be the Newcomers’ Network boats participate each specified later to her private 18th year in this spectacular century village house : regatta. « a place which time forgot ». Insider’s Geneva EVENTS
Discover the diverse local events happening in Geneva throughout the year with the latest Newcomers Network initiative. 4 volunteers will take you to Geneva’s under-the-radar cultural event spots: authentic, chic and alternative. These are the places to be !
Organisers Steven Damal Pathangi, Dinara Gozalova, Louise Turrettini et Juliette van Berchem
3rd sept. 20 « La Nuit des Bains »
18th-27th nov. 20 « GIFF - Geneva International Film Festival »
Beginning nov. 20 La « Fête de la Saint-Martin » à Peissy
May 21 « La Nuit des Musées. »
10th-11th juil. 21 « La Nuit de la Science » Conversation Exchange Programme (BEL) EXCHANGES
Make the most of Geneva’s exceptional cultural diversity to improve and practice speaking any language of your choice in exchange for your own.
The Conversation Exchange Programme is open to all International and local Geneva residents.
Based on an exchange of languages, this programme is free of charge and aims to be an enjoyable addition to, but not a replacement of, language courses.
A minimum intermediate level of language proficiency is required.
Organisers Sabine Didisheim et Corinne Hudson EXCHANGES How to join Aperitif
1 - REGISTRATION Wednesday Fill out the online form 19th May 2021 https://www.cagi.ch/en/newcomers-network/ conversation-exchange-program.php from 5.30pm to 8pm Upon reception, one of the coordinators will contact you to suggest a language partner. The Newcomer Network Service invites the Conversation Exchange Programme participants to meet for an informal 2 - CONTACT drink. Don’t miss this opportunity to find new conversation Contact the selected person yourself exchange partners, renew old acquaintances and make to arrange a first meeting in a public place of your choice, friends. agree on the frequency of meetings and how you wish The CAGI monitors closely the evolution of the COVID-19 to alternate your languages. pandemic and will conform to the rules imposed by the Federal and Cantonal Administrations. 3 - FEEDBACK Confirm to the secretariat whether the exchange is a success or not and let us know if you require an additional partner.
The success of our programme depends on your commitment and collaboration ! Escalade celebration EVENTS Wednesday 2nd December 2020 from 6pm
The International Geneva Welcome Centre, in collaboration with the Geneva authorities and the Newcomer Network of the Fondation pour Genève, invites International newcomers to enjoy a foretaste of the festivities surrounding the traditional Escalade celebrations. Music and entertainment provided by Compagnie de 1602 and Fifres et Tambours du Conservatoire populaire de musique, danse et théâtre.
International newcomers will receive an invitation. Social Events of CAGI EVENTS
Due to its international dimension, Geneva is a real crossroads of cultures allowing cross-cultural exchanges between the local population and the International community. CAGI contributes to bringing together different communities by organising events throughout the year or by actively collaborating with its partners. Several events are proposed to newcomers wishing to discover the socio-cultural environment of Geneva : Mix & Mash, Pechakucha, Ciné-ONU and more.
The events are open to everyone and announced on the CAGI website www.cagi.ch/evenements.php An online registration form is also available to receive invitations to events by email.
To stay informed about CAGI activities and events, follow us on Twitter @CagiGeneva Founding membersTHANKS TO
Associate members
Sympathiser members The Newcomer Network committee
Banovsha Afandiyeva, Salman Bal (Director of CAGI), Laetitia Boulard, Claudia Carvajal, Sylvie Chassagnade, Regina Cirmon, Charlotte Conigliano, Brigitte Crompton, Steven Damal Pathangi, Sabine Didisheim, Maria Teresa Dutli, Veronica Eggly (Head of the Newcomer Network Service), Mouna Gautier, Dinara Gozalova, Corinne Hudson (President of the Newcomer Network from January 2021), Charles Jacquemart, Alix Kern, Priscilla Krommenacker, Danièle Lejoindre, Barbara Lévy, Kasia Marzewski, Jacques Moret, Mounia Ouldaïssa (Collaborator of the Newcomer Network Service), Anastasia Outkina, Patrice Plojoux, Carole de Poix, Sophie Pollini, Karin Soller, Chantal Sulzer, Louise Turrettini, Olivier Turrettini, Juliette van Berchem (Vice-President of the Newcomer Network from January 2021), Diane Zoelly (President of the Newcomer Network).
Some of our members