The International Community

Do you know the international community in Bern? As part of our feature, one individual from the international community is introduced per info letter. Discover the interesting personalities who enrich our federal city and get in touch with each other!

Berta Fernández-Alfaro

Berta Fernández-Alfaro is the Chief of Mission of the International Organization for Migration (IOM), Coordination Office for Switzerland and Liechtenstein. In 2024, IOM Bern is celebrating its 30th anniversary.

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Hissa Alotaiba, United Arab Emirates

Hissa Alotaiba represents one of the most innovative countries in the world and she was the first female ambassador to be posted abroad: Now in Bern, she holds the position of United Arab Emirates (UAE) Ambasssador.

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Marjan Osvald, Universal Postal Union

In 2021, he was elected Deputy Director General of the UPU. Learn more about the second-oldest international organization in the world and how Marjan Osvald compares Switzerland with his home country on the sunny side of the Alps.

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Andrea Bekić, Embassy of Croatia

Andrea Bekić reveals which area of Bern is named after the coastal region of Dalmatia, what connects her capital city with bears, and that a Croatian project in the field of urban mobility could be exciting for Swiss cities.

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Michael Flügger, Embassy of the Federal Republic of Germany

The Ambassador of the Federal Republic of Germany would like to travel to all the places Goethe has already visited in Switzerland. Read his portrait to find out which city tour fascinated him and which canton is engraved in his heart.

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Doris Frick, Embassy of Liechtenstein

Doris Frick has been Liechtenstein's Ambassador in Bern for many years and manages over 110 agreements between her country and Switzerland. Find out why she is particularly looking forward to 2023 and what she is keen to experience in Bern for a second time.

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Rim El Memmi, Embassy of Tunisia

According to Rim El Memmi, the term "coolattitude" best reflects Bern's lifestyle. The women's strike in 2019, however, has left her anything but "cool", and by declaring "colour has taken possession of me", she refers not only to Paul Klee, but also to the different colours of the Aare River which fascinate her so much.

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Philippe Cerf, Embassy of France

When Philippe Cerf is not busy delivering a message from the Parisian authorities to his Swiss colleagues, he finds time to marvel at the turquoise waters of Lake Thun or watch the activities that take place at Parliament Square.

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Bill Longhurst, British Embassy

Like a true Bern local, Bill Longhurst rides his bike to work – despite the hilly streets. And speaking of “local”, do you happen to know what “Guschti” means? Bill will happily explain it to you.

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Princess Tomas-Tayao, Embassy of the Philippines

Discover why Princess thinks that Sundays in Bern are very different from everything else she has experienced and what she does to learn more about the local culture.

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Julie Normand, Embassy of Canada

Find out how Julie Normand describes the Bernese take on life, which famous Swiss she was most impressed by, and which toboggan run she is still desperate to try out.

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