Swiss Competence Centre for Human Rights

The project submitted by the Universities of Bern, Fribourg, Neuchâtel and Zurich, in association with the Institut Universitaire Kurt Bösch, the University of Teacher Education Central Switzerland (PHZ) and Humanrights.ch (MERS) has been selected on the strength of the quality of the services offered, proven experience and its visionary approach to policy and governance in the field of human rights in Switzerland. 

The mission of the Swiss Competence Centre for Human Rights will be to work to strengthen Switzerland’s national capacities for implementing human rights by providing information, advice, tools and forums for players in the field of human rights. 

The Confederation will provide a basic funding contribution to be pooled with the resources already committed by the institutions of higher education which constitute the Centre. The cantons, cities, municipalities, the private sector and civil society will also be making financial contributions on the basis of the mandates which they are or will be awarding to the Centre. 

The universities will be working in equal partnership, with the University of Bern responsible for coordinating the project, under the direction of Prof. Walter Kälin. The Centre’s mandate will be set out in a framework contract and in annual service agreements. After four years, it will be subject to assessment and the results will be presented to the Federal Council.

Address for enquiries:

Information FDFA
Bundeshaus West
CH-3003 Bern
Tel.: (+41) 031 322 31 53
Fax: (+41) 031 324 90 47
E-Mail: info@eda.admin.ch

Publisher:

Federal Department of Foreign Affairs