Society Switzerland-Bhutan SSB
Far Apart and Close Together
Building on the deep friendship and enduring partnership between Switzerland and Bhutan, the Society Switzerland-Bhutan (SSB) was founded in 2000 as a Swiss association with a mission to encourage social, charitable, ecological, cultural and other philanthropic projects.
SSB works hand-in-hand with people on the ground in Bhutan, particularly with its local sister organisation Bhutan-Switzerland Society (BSS).
The Society Switzerland Bhutan (SSB) was founded in 2000 with the purpose to deepen and further strengthen the unique bonds of friendship between the people of Bhutan and Switzerland. With its more then 250 members from all over Switzerland the society’s main objectives are:
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Strengthening civil society and market-oriented small-scale entrepreneurship
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Promoting knowledge transfer and mutual understanding in both countries
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SSB and BSS are competent and acknowledged promoters of mutual values
Over the years a strong partnership has evolved to support these challenging objectives. It is our close cooperation with the Bhutan Switzerland Society, based in Thimphu, which helps us to identify, evaluate, plan, implement and monitor our activities and projects in Bhutan. The development of this partnership will be our strategic focal point for the coming years.
In Switzerland the SSB organizes public events, excursions and discussions that emphasise on cultural and societal exchange and publishes a quarterly newsletter based on actualities.
All of our activities are funded by our more than 260 members whereas larger programmes and projects are financed by private and public donors. SSB is exempted from tax.
Profile of the Society Switzerland-Bhutan
Information about the Society Switzerland-Bhutan and the activities 2024 and 2025 > pdf
Flyer
> Flyer (November 2021 / pdf)
Strategy 2023-2027
Agreement on Co-operation between Society Switzerland-Bhutan (SSB)
and Bhutan-Switzerland (SBS)
signed in Thimphu on December 2, 2009
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Memorandum of Understanding
between Bhutan-Swiss Friendship Association and Druk-Switzerland Thuendrel Tshogpa
signed in Thimphu on November 12, 2001
> pdf
Overview
Profile of the Society Switzerland-Bhutan
Information about the Society Switzerland-Bhutan and the activities 2024 and 2025 > pdf
Documentary: 20 Years Bhutan Switzerland Society (BSS) Thimphu (2022)
Lyonpo Kinzang Dorji (President BSS until 2022) and Marianne Frei (President SSB until 2020) are giving an overview of the activities and the co-operation of the two societies illustrated with some examples.
The movie was first screened at the commemorative event of 20 years BSS on October 26th, 2022 in Thimphu.
Director: Tashi Rabgyel
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TOEWT61gqlc
Documentary: People to People Partnership
Documentary produced by Society Switzerland-Bhutan & Society Bhutan-Switzerland, 2014
https://youtu.be/seYai8zlZkw
Activities carried out by Society Switzerland-Bhutan & Bhutan-Switzerland Society, 2004 - 2020.
Between 2004 and 2020 SSB has supported with the membership fees and donations of its members 58 projects with a total of about CHF 600’000.-.
> pdf
HELVETAS Project Managers 1960-2008
We welcome any corrections or additions. Any false information is regretted.
> pdf
Friendship Associations
Board
Co-Presidents
Claudio Zingg, Wilfriedstrasse 7, CH-8032 Zürich
Mobile +41 (0)78 707 07 49
Tina Roner, Scuol
Mobile +41 (0)79 795 56 49
tina.roner(at)bhutan-switzerland.org
Members of the Board
Kathrin Frey, Greifensee
Corinne Denzler, Ascona
Kinga Dorji
kinga.dorji(at)bhutan-switzerland.org
Thinley Chenzom Meier, Bern
Simona Mutti
Markus Wild, Luzern
Bhutan-Switzerland Society BSS
Our sister organisation, the Bhutan Switzerland Society BSS, based in Thimphu helps us to identify, evaluate, plan, implement and monitor our activities and projects in Bhutan. The development of this partnership will be our strategic focal point for the coming years.
Board of the Bhutan Switzerland Society BSS
August 1, 2018
Newsletter 001 (pdf)
6th General Meeting of BSS on August 1, 2015 in Thimphu
see Newsletter December 2015
Speech by Lyonpo Dr. Kinzang Dorji (pdf)
People to People Partnership, film produced by Society Switzerland-Bhutan & Society Bhutan-Switzerland, 2014
https://youtu.be/seYai8zlZkw
August 1, 2013
722nd SWISS NATIONAL DAY CELEBRATION, SDC Office, Thimphu
Address by the President of Bhutan-Switzerland Society
> pdf
August 1, 2011
Welcome speech on the occasion of celebration of the National Day of Switzerland and
Report of the President to the 2nd Annual General Assembly of Bhutan-Switzerland Society on 1 August 2011.
> pdf