Ambassador Pierre de Cocatrix, Director of the Centre d'Accueil Genève Internationale (CAGI) since 2015, introduces us to a useful and effective tool that contributes to the influence of Geneva and Switzerland. He reveals the secrets of a Succes story that intrigues and that no structure has ever managed to match.
Can you briefly outline the conditions under which this non-profit association was conceived?
As part of the negotiations to set up the World Trade Organization/WTO (1993-1994), the successor to the GATT, all kinds of negotiations were held, as several candidatures were put forward. In addition to Geneva, there was Bonn, which had lost its capital status to Berlin following German reunification. The Germans made a generous offer. This obliged Switzerland to make a commitment and examine a number of options to improve the situation at the time, such as parking facilities and the construction of a new conference hall. On this occasion, the Swiss and Geneva authorities decided to create an entity, in the form of a reception structure, designed to receive, integrate and facilitate the settlement of Geneva's international guests. This formula exists nowhere else in the world.
One year after the creation of the WTO, the Centre d'Accueil Genève Internationale was born.
That's right. In 1996, a small team consisting of a Director and an assistant moved into a room in the Swiss Mission on rue de Varembé. Over the 20 years of its existence, the structure has grown to 13 employees. The CAGI is now structured around five services: the reception network, the accommodation & information service, the events & cultural kiosk service, the Non-Governmental Organization service and the service dedicated to welcoming visiting delegates. Thanks to a policy of externalization, we have succeeded in offering a vast catalog of exclusively free services.
How do you define internationals?
This category is not exclusively made up of diplomats and civil servants from the 175 permanent missions to the UN and some 80 to the WTO. It also includes over 350 NGOs, Consulates General, the UN headquarters in Europe and the 33 international organizations headquartered in Geneva. Our offer now also extends to the Geneva University Hospitals (HUG) and the University. Foreign doctoral students and researchers are now also included. In 2014, multinationals also entered this category, as private international players. Through the Groupement des Entreprises Multinationales, we are in contact with around a hundred of them throughout the Lake Geneva region.
As François Longchamp, President of Geneva's Conseil d'Etat, likes to describe it, what would " the smallest of international cities" be without internationals?
Without internationals, Geneva wouldn't have this dimension. We are extremely fortunate to have a Geneva that has consolidated and developed over the decades to become, today, the capital of multilateralism par excellence, a center of extraordinary global governance. We hope that the people of Geneva are aware of this unique opportunity.
How is CAGI structured, and what does it offer to internationals?
The Welcome Network service works closely with the Fondation pour Genève, chaired by Ivan Pictet. Around 1,500 civil servants leave Geneva every year, and approximately the same number arrive. To familiarize these new arrivals with life in Switzerland, we offer lunchtime lectures on topics such as public health and schooling. We are in contact with Geneva Tourism to inform them about cultural life. We also have a practical section that explains, for example, the use of the blue disc for parking, public transport, pet ownership...
A second section introduces visitors to Geneva and the Lake Geneva region, its customs and its history. We also have partnerships with Geneva's communes, which are increasingly keen to welcome international visitors.
The third activity is the language exchange program, which enables 1,300 participants to exchange, teach or improve their language skills. Nearly 65 languages and dialects are currently on offer.
Housing is a top priority for new arrivals. How do you keep up with demand?
We have created a Housing Exchange that brings together those who own properties for rent and those looking for a place to live. It is fed both by unsolicited offers and by all the agencies and real estate agencies in the region. We also have documentation to facilitate the search for household staff and to gather job applications.
One of the missions of the Centre de la Genève Internationale is to help bring the diplomatic and local communities closer together.
Indeed, that's why we organize themed events at La Pastorale or elsewhere. Last year, for example, we organized a guided tour of the private collection of Rembrandt engravings at the Château de Penthes, with the exhibition curator. In the run-up to the Rio Olympics, a Brazilian evening for 450 people was organized in partnership with the Brazilian Mission.
As part of our commitment to bringing people together, for almost 15 years now we have had a cultural kiosk in the United Nations building, selling tickets for all shows in French-speaking Switzerland and the German-speaking part of Switzerland.
How do you support non-governmental organizations, of which there are many, as you mentioned?
The service, run by the Canton's presidential authorities, provides support and advice to help NGOs set up in Geneva. Between 20 and 30 new NGOs set up in Geneva every year.
Is the Service Accueil Délégués the most recent?
This service was created in 2013 by the Swiss Confederation, the Canton and the City of Geneva. Its purpose is to provide operational, material and financial support for representatives of delegations or civil society. These days, civil society is a key player in international discussions. With the support of the CAGI, it can take part in major international conferences. We have some twenty hotel partners in Switzerland and neighboring France who enable us to obtain attractive rates. We were able to accompany around 1,000 delegates in 2016, for the equivalent of 6,000 nights. Delegates also have 24-hour access to a fully-equipped workroom at La Pastorale, using the badges provided.
QR
www.cagi.ch