Friendship Associations
Board
President
Claudio Zingg, Wilfriedstrasse 7, CH-8032 Zürich
Mobile +41 (0)78 707 07 49
Members of the Board
Kathrin Frey, Greifensee
Franz Gähwiler, Jona
Thinley Chenzom Meier, Bern
Tina Roner, Scuol
Ruth Schwitter-Allenspach, Malans
ruth_schwitter_allenspach(at)hotmail.com
Dieter Zürcher, Uster
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
General Assembly
General Assembly 2024
(Saturday, March 23, 2024)
- Agenda GA 2024 and Flyer Meet the three Bhutanese PhD Students
- Minutes GA 2023
- Accounts 2023
- Budget 2024
- Audit Report 2023
- Minutes GA 2024
General Assembly 2023
(Saturday, March 25, 2023)
- Agenda GA 2023
- Minutes GA 2022
- Accounts 2022 and Budget 2023
- Audit Report 2022
- Flyer Talk Dr. Andreas Galmarini
- Minutes GA 2023
General Assembly 2022
(Saturday, June 11, 2022)
- Agenda GA 2022
- Minutes GA 2021
- Accounts 2021 and Budget 2022
- Nomination new Board Members
- Audit Report 2021
General Assembly 2021
(Saturday, June 5, 2021)
Agenda GA 2021
Flyer Presentation Dechen Lham
Minutes online vote GA 2020
Accounts 2020 / Budget 2021
Audit Report 2020
General Assembly 2019
(Saturday, March 16, 2019)
Afternoon Program: Rituals and Artefacts in Bhutan
General Assembly 2018
(Saturday, March 17, 2018)
Agenda
Accounts 2017 / Budget 2018
Audit Report 2017
Afternoon program: Screening of «CHUUT WAI»
Strategy 2018-2022 (German) Strategy 2018-2022 (English)
Minutes General Assembly 2017 (pdf)
General Assembly 2017
(Saturday, March 11, 2017)
Agenda
Accounts 2016 / Budget 2017
Audit Report 2016
Invitation afternoon program by SDC (panel discussion)
Minutes General Assembly 2017 (pdf)
General Assembly 2016
(Saturday, March 21st, 2016)
Agenda
Accounts 2015 / Budget 2016
Audit Report 2015
Presentations
Minutes General Assembly 2016 (pdf)
General Assembly 2015
(Saturday, March 21st, 2015)
Agenda (pdf)
Accounts 2014 / Budget 2015 (pdf)
Audit Report 2014 (pdf)
Presentation Project Judiciary of Bhutan / Federal Administrative Court (pdf)
Minutes General Assembly 2015 (pdf)
General Assembly 2014
(Saturday, March 15th, 2014)
Agenda (pdf)
Accounts 2013 / Budget 2014 (pdf)
Audit Report 2013
Presentation Bhutan Swiss Archeology Project (pdf)
Minutes General Assembly 2014 (pdf)
General Assembly 2013
(Saturday, March 23th, 2013)
Invitation (pdf)
Accounts 2012 / Budget 2013 (pdf)
Panel discussion (pdf)
Minutes General Assembly 2013 (pdf)
SDC Bhutan 2013 (pdf)
General Assembly 2012
(Saturday, March 31st, 2012)
Special Guest (pdf)
Accounts 2011 / Budget 2012 (pdf)
Minutes General Assembly 2012 (pdf)
General Assembly 2011
(Saturday, March 26th, 2011)
Approved Budget 2011 (pdf)
Message President Bhutan-Switzerland Society (BSS) (pdf)
Minutes General Assembly 2011 (pdf)
General Assembly 2010
(Saturday, March 27th, 2010)
Statement by Ambassador Yeshey Dorji of Bhutan, 2010 (pdf)
Minutes General Assembly 2010 (pdf)
Presentation General Assembly 2010 (pdf)
SSB au MEN 2010 (pdf)
Newsletter & Mailing
Mailing 2 / 2024 (Click here for full version)
(August 2024)
Coming Events
- Saturday, 7.9.2024: Invitation Barbecue for SSB Members and the Bhutanese Community in Switzerland
- Friday, 20.9.24, 19:30: Climate Change in Bhutan
Projects supported by SSB
- Improve Quality of Milk - Khemdro Milk Processing Unit (Phobjikha)
- Journalist Association of Bhutan - Training Multimedia Journalism
- Ogyen Choling Foundation
Past Events
- Saturday, 23.3.24: SSB General Assembly 2024
- Thursday, 1.8.24: Bhutan-Switzerland Society (BSS): Annual General Meeting, & Swiss National Day Celebration 2024
- Friday, 31.5.24: BUELWA – An Offering (Bhutan, 2023) by Charmi Chheda
- Thursday, 6.6.24: Lhaki Dolma: “My Experience as a Politician and the Future of Women in Politics in Bhutan”
- Saturday, 29.6.2024: Excursion to Wyssen Skyline Cranes at Reichenbach im Kandertal
Bhutanese Visits in Switzerland
- Vice-Chancellor Nidup Dorji of the Royal University of Bhutan
- Bhutan meets Switzerland at the Hotel Belvedere (English / German)
News from Bhutan
- An Excellent Overview of the Most Significant Developments in Bhutan
- Gelephu Mindfulness City
- 13th Five Year Plan 2024-2029
- Bhutan Innovation Forum 1. - 3.10.2024
- Two Films - A Bhutanese Success Story
Other Events
- 18.8.2024 Besuch der Yaks am Gotthard
- Ausgetanzt - Georg Gessler Jubiläumsausstellung
Mailing 1 / 2024 (Click here for full version)
(January 2024)
- A new Government for Bhutan
- Obituary Martin Menzi (30.1.1929 – 6.1.2024)
- Migration of Bhutanese Talk by Dasho Karma Ura (President Centre of Bhutan & GNH Studies)
- Save the Date
- Window on Bhutan 2023
Mailing 3 / 2023 (Click here for full version)
(December 2023)
- His Majesty unveils historic Project on National Day 17.12.2023
- National Day Celebration in Geneva 17.12.2023
- Big Surprise: First Round of the Elections in Bhutan 30.11.2023
- Bhutan was graduating to Middle Income Country on December 13, 2023
- Bhutan Blossoms on its own Marketing Platform: First Campain 15.11. - 31.12.23
- Austrian Development Agency (ADA) phasing out from Bhutan after 30 Years
Mailing 2 / 23 (Click here for full version)
(November 2023)
- Coming Events in Switzerland
- Performance of the Royal Academy of Performing Arts Bhutan at the International Percussion Festival in Lausanne 18.11.2023
- Musicians unite to celebrate classical music at Swiss-Bhutanese musical concert in Thimphu 19.10.23
- Cheesemakers in Switzerland 10.8. - 23.9.2023
- Training Plantahof Landquart 14.8. - 18.8.23
- Barbecue Invitation by the Bhutanese Mission in Geneva 19.8.2023
- Excursion Bio Käserei Prättigau/Palottis 26.8.23
- Trainings Chimi Dema & Sherub Dorji (Gogona)
- Trainings Sherab Dorji (Phobjikha - Khemdro)
- Trainings Sonam Tshewang (Bumthang)
- Obituary Urs Dürsteler (28.9.1951 – 29.5.2023)
- Obituary Lyonpo Chenkyab Dorji (1943 – 2023)
- Sustainable Development Fee (SDF) reduced to USD 100 per day
- Bhutanese PhD Students in Switzerland
Mailing 1 / 23 (Click here for full version)
(May 2023)
- Developments in Bhutan – Recent Topics in the Bhutanese Media
- Looking back at the General Assembly 2023
- Visits to Bhutan by Ambassador Ralf Heckner
- Coming Events
- Current Projects by SSB and SSB Members
- Collaboration Royal Government of Bhutan and the Government of the Canton of Zurich
- Watch online on YouTube
- Readings
Mailing 3 / 22 (Click here for full version)
(December 2022)
- Commemoration of 20 Years of Bhutan Switzerland Society (BSS)
- Cooperation with Loden Foundation - Best Entrepreneur Award 2022 supported by SSB
- SSB Events
- Bhutan Meetings President SSB
- Looking for Bhutanese Textiles in Europe - Exhibition in Corfu in 2024
- Order again Products from Bhutan Blossoms / Drachukha Flower Group!
- Insights into Projects by SSB and SSB Members
- Looking back at previous Events
- Publications
Mailing 2 / 22 (Click here for full version)
- Bhutan at the Crossroad: Big Changes not only in Tourism and the Civil Service
- Looking back at the General Assembly 2022
- Interview with Ambassador Tenzin R. Wangchuk
- Reopening of Tourism in Bhutan
- Bhutanese Visitors in Switzerland
- Bhutanese Association in Switzerland
- Coming Events
- Collaboration with Loden Foundation:
- SSB Loden Annual Report 2021
- Loden turns 22
- Get a free e-book download: Erik Allgöwer: Tiger and Cloud
- Miscellaneous
- Bhutan and the UN
- Lunana in Open-Air Cinemas
- Tashi Delek July-August 2022
Mailing 1 / 22 (Click here for full version)
- SSB General Assembly postponed to 11.6.2022
- Living in Quarantine and Lockdown in Bhutan
- Time between Quarantine and Lockdown
- Good News for our Sister Organization Bhutan Switzerland Society (BSS)
- Foreign Secretary Pema Choden in Switzerland
- Don’t miss: Interview with Gerald Daly
- Foreign Policy of Bhutan
Mailing 3 / 21 (Click here for full version)
October 2021
- When will Bhutan open its borders for tourists?
- Next SSB Events
- Impressions Event Nomadic Health Camp and Cordyceps
- Project Support since June 2021
- In Memoriam Heinz Bürgin and Johann Cantieni
- Congratulations to Dr. Sonam Wangchuk!
- Online Meetings with the Bhutanese Embassies in Geneva and Brussels
- Suggestions for reading, viewing and listening
Mailing 2 / 21 (Click here for full version)
June 2021
- Looking back at the General Assembly 2021
- Please order Red Flower Rice from Bhutan - now!
- TCB and SSB promoting Post-COVID Tourism to Bhutan before screenings of Lunana
- SSB Loden Foundation Window could choose from 31 Proposals
- Support Ogyen Choling Foundation
- COVID - 19 Situation in Bhutan
- Next SSB Events
- Asia Society Switzerland presents: A Closer Look at Bhutan
Enjoy Bhutanese Culture Online
Mailing 1 / 21 (Click here for full version)
Febrary 2021
1. Losar Tashi Delek from the Bhutan Mission in Geneva and the Presidents of BSS and SSB
2. General Assembly 2021 postponed to 5.6.2021
3. Save the date: Online interview with Nado Dukpa 27.3.2021
4. Lockdown 2.0 - Bhutan Red Cross Operation (Dec 20th 2020 to Feb 5th 2021) by Dragyel T Dorjee
5. Partnership Loden Foundation – SSB: Report 2020
6. Video: Walking with Michael Rutland through Thimphu, exploring recent developments in Bhutan
7. Magazine: Window on Bhutan
8. SSB Profile 2020
Mailing 3 / 20 (Click here for full version)
November 2020
- Welcome Addresses by the new Ambassadors in Geneva and Delhi
- 27 March 2021: General Assembly 2021
- Big Response for the SSB Window Loden Foundation Fall Call 2020
- The Red Flower Rice from Bhutan arrived
- COVID-19 Test Kits for Bhutan donated by the Swiss Government
- “Chidrel Tawaa” – A Publication about Bhutan’s Foreign Relations 2020
- Films from Bhutan online!
- Tourism in Bhutan will never be the same - An Inverview with DG Tourism Council Dorji Dhradhul
- Keeping Connected while Staying Apart: Social Media and Lockdown in Thimphu By Dolma Choden Roder (Royal Thimphu College) 19.11.2020
- Postponed Events
Special Mailing 4.8.2020: Foundation Day of SSB (full version)
August 2020
- 4.8.2000: Foundation Day of SSB
- New Ambassador Tenzin R. Wangchuk at the Permanent Mission of Bhutan to the United Nations in Geneva
- Embassy of Switzerland to India and Bhutan online on the Swiss National Day
- TIGER AND CLOUD: A HIMALAYAN FICTION - The new book of the Bhutan Tiger Trilogy written by our member Erik Allgoewer
Mailing 2 / 20 (Click here for full version)
July 2020
- Save the dates 2020
- The New Board of SSB
- Opposition Leader Dr. Pema Gyamthso new Director General of ICIMOD (Article by E. Werner Külling)
- New electrical wiring at Taktsang funded and installed by our member Emanuel Flückiger
- Bhutanese projects to tackle the economic crisis due to COVID-19
- The Build Bhutan Project
- Wobthang Farm
- SRF Radio: Dem Himmel so nah? Bhutan zwischen Tradition und Moderne
Special Mailing April 2020: Solidarity with Bhutan in Times of COVID-19 (full version)
April 2020
- SSB Call for Donations till 4.5.2020
- Project 1: Supply of medical overalls and masks
- Project 2: Loden-UNDP Bhutan Covid-19 Response Fund
- Project 3: HM’s Kidu Relief Fund for COVID-19
- Letter freom Dr. Karma Phunthso (President Loden Foundation)
- Our Friends from Bhutan telling their stories about the impact of COVID-19
- COVID-19 AND YOU: Personal experiences of an elderly Bhutanese citizen (Interview with Lyonpo Kinzang Dorji, President BSS)
- COVID-19 AND YOU: Personal experiences of a Bhutanese travel agent (Interview with Tashi Rabgyel, Member Board Bhutan-Switzerland Society)
- Personal Message from a Hotel Manager in Thimphu
- COVID-19 News from Bhutan
- Translation of His Majesty’s Address to the Nation, 10th April 2020
- Press Release of HE the Prime Minister (April 11, 2020)
- From Coronavirus to Corona Victory (April 6, 2020 - Kuensel)
- Anxious wait for Bhutan for lifesaving medical equipment and supplies with raging global demand (April 4, 2020 - The Bhutanese)
- COVID-19 Situation Bhutan 17.4.2020
SSB-Mailing 1 / 2020 (Click for full version)
April 2020
- Editorial by the President
- Announcement Special Mailing "Bhutan in Times of COVID-19"
- Events 20 Years Society Switzerland - Bhutan
- Main event 13.9.20 "Sports, Health and Happiness" Magglingen
- Main event 6. - 8.11.20 Bhutan Culture Days, Ethnographic Museum Zurich
- Main event: 11. – 22.11.2020 Exhibition Bhutanese Artists, Altstadthalle Zug
- Organizing Commitee
- Good News from Bhutan
- Second Royal Child of Their Majesties The King and Queen
- Tenzin Rondel Wangchuk new Ambassador in Geneva
- Projects in Bhutan
- SSB Partnership with Loden Foundation
- Bjoka Rainwater Harvesting
- School Uniforms – Delayed because of COVID-19
- Bhutan Transparency Initiative
- Red Flower Rice from Bhutan ready for export to Switzerland!
- Nado Dukpa celebrated his 30th anniversary with HELVETAS Bhutan
- Meeting of European Bhutan Friendship Associations Thimphu and Haa November 20 – 29, 2019
- Obituaries
- Christian Rohrbach
- Adrienne Oltramare
- Visitors to Switzerland
October 2019 Mailing 3/19 (full version)
Content:
- “Swiss Films on Wheels” with the movie “Heidi” was touring through Bhutan
- Annual General Meeting of the Bhutan – Switzerland Society (BSS) 1.8.2019, Thimphu
- Annual Excursion Swiss Alpine Herbs SAH in Därstetten 22.8.2019
- Dorji Dhradhul Director General TCB studying Tourism in Switzerland 15. - 20.9.2019
- The sudden death of Annemarie Huber – Hotz came as a terrible shock for all of us
- Kinga Singye, former Ambassador in Geneva new Foreign Secretary
- Training of three Instructors from the Technical Training Institutes in Bhutan in Switzerland
- Visitors from Bhutan in Switzerland
July 2019 Mailing 2/19 (full version)
Content:
- Annual Excursion: Swiss Alpine Herbs Därstetten and its collaboration with Bhutan
- HE Ambassador Kinga Singye leaves Geneva for Bhutan
- Focus Newsletter 2019 – Hydropower in Bhutan
- Former Prime Minister Dasho Tshering Tobgay in conversation with Dr. Hugo Bigi «The Challenges facing Bhutan»
- HELVETAS General Assembly (GA) 2019 at the “Kultur- und Kongresshaus” in Aarau
- First ever Swiss business delegation trip to Bhutan from 04 - 08 June 2019
- “Helvetas Namgyel” is no more! In memoriam of a great friend
- Uri Peter Trier the father of Swiss - Bhutanese collaboration in Education passed away
- Visitors from Bhutan in Switzerland
- Two Swiss medical students for internship in Bhutan
Focus Newsletter 2019 > Link
HYDROPOWER IN BHUTAN
Content:
- EDITORIAL (Dieter Zürcher)
- HYDROPOWER IN BHUTAN: LIGHTS AND SHADOWS (Dr Günter Fischer)
- INTERVIEW WITH HIS EXCELLENCY LYONPO LOKNATH SHARMA, MINISTER FOR ECONOMIC AFFAIRS
- MANGDECHHU PROJECT AND EXPORT TARIFF ISSUES (Sangay Chophel)
- THE FUTURE OF BHUTAN-INDIAN ELECTRICITY TRADE (Himanshu Takkar)
April 2019 Mailing 1/19 > Link
Content:
- Looking back at the General Assembly 2019
- SSB supports Loden Foundation
- Next Events
- 2020: Celebrating 20 years Society Switzerland - Bhutan
- Miscellaneous
Focus Newsletter 2017
FILM MAKING IN BHUTAN
> Newsletter August 2017 pdf - 3.7 MB
December 2016 Issue
content:
- News from SSB: General Assembly 2017: new date / Dr. Otto Stern resigns as editor of the SSB Newsletter / The new newsletter with key topics / Bhutan Film Days January 27th – 29th, 2017, Ethnographic Museum University of Zurich: A unique opportunity to see films of emerging filmmakers from Bhutan / New SSB Members
- Obituaries: In memoriam Küngolt Menzi-Baumann / An immense loss for Bhutan:
Dasho Pema Wangchuk passed away
-
Visitors from Bhutan in Switzerland: Two Bhutanese visitors from the KGUMSB to get acquainted with General Medicine in Switzerland
-
Thank you very much HELVETAS Namgyel!
-
News from BSS: Bhutan-Switzerland Society elects new Board members
-
Activities of SSB Members: 8th meeting of the European-Bhutan Societies in Greece
-
György Hetényi: "History books help geophysics to describe big Bhutan earthquake in 1714"
-
Benedetta Dini: "Swiss researchers on the tracks of rockslides in the Himalaya of Bhutan"
-
Alain Dössegger : "My secondment to the Bhutan Olympic Committee (BOC)"
-
Interview by Otto Stern: "Werner Baumann (62) – 30 years ago as a Veterinarian in Bhutan"
> Newsletter December 2016 pdf - 4.9 MB
June 2016 Issue
content:
- News from SSB: General Assembly 2016 / Three new SSB Board members / Annual SSB Excursion / Graduation at International School Schaffhausen / Up-coming Events / Pre-Announcement: Bhutan Film Days January 27th – 29th 2017 in Zurich / Invitation of the SSB Board to Geneva / New SSB Members / Bhutan at the Film Festival Locarno August 3 -13, 2016 / A Farewell to a Grand Old Lady of the Zurich Elephant Group
- Visitors from Bhutan in Switzerland: Chief Justice of Bhutan visits Switzerland
- A very enthusiastic and successful Swiss training workshop of six Bhutanese firefighters during two weeks in Zürich
- News from BSS: Summary of the findings of the School evaluation on support to Kaktong & Tradijong Primary Schools, Zhemgang Dzongkhag
- Lyonpo Dr Kinzang Dorji: «Sustainable social and economic development at the grassroots level in Bhutan needs very active local Civil Society Organisations (CSO)»
- Activities of SSB Members: Wangdue Phodrang Dzong Reconstruction Project - Aspects of cultural heritage and safety / Mountains and Earthquakes – Fieldwork and results of two geophysics projects in Bhutan / Archery in Bhutan – Update
- Meeting Point
> Newsletter June 2016 pdf - 2.8 MB / pdf - 5.5 MB
Additional Information:
- Bhutan and Switzerland: From development cooperation to people-to-people cooperation, and more? By Lyonpo Dr Kinzang Dorji, President Bhutan Switzerland Society
- Wangduephodrang Dzong Reconstruction Project – Aspects of cultural heritage and safety By Andreas Galmarini, WaltGalmarini AG, Zürich and Nagtsho Dorji, Division for Conservation of Heritage Sites, Thimphu