Berta Fernández-Alfaro, International Organization for Migration

Article published in the infoletter March 2024.

Apart from managing the Bern office and 25 staff, I am responsible for liaising with our most important Swiss contacts at federal (SEM, FDFA, SDC), cantonal (Migration Authorities), and city level. This includes the targeted mobilisation of resources for activities in Switzerland and Liechtenstein, but also for humanitarian emergencies or migration governance projects abroad in coordination with the IOM headquarters in Geneva and the field offices.

To achieve common goals, I work with the Swiss private sector, embassies and the diaspora in Switzerland. Finally, I raise awareness and lobby on the topic of migration at public events, in the media and in parliament.

This year we are celebrating our 30 anniversary with a photo exhibition from Reuters photojournalist Darrin Zammit Lupi at the Kornhausforum in Bern (February 16 to March 17), which will then be on display at the SEM and the Swiss Customs Museum (April to October 2024, in Gandria, near Lugano).

In addition, we have received financial support from the SEM for the family reunification program, through which we will support an estimated 200 people (i.e. 120 migrants in the context of family reunification, 20 migrants with humanitarian visas and 60 migrants in need of information and referral).

Furthermore, we are working with the UN Global Compact for a Dialogue on Migration with the private sector in June 2024 (the agenda will be published here). And finally, the Director General of the IOM will make an official high-level visit in the second half of 2024 to meet with the Federal Council, SEM, FDFA and SDC.

I was born in 1971. So when I arrived in Bern in 2021, I was surprised to discover that my year of birth coincided with the 50th anniversary of Swiss women gaining the right to vote.

The fact that it is a UNESCO capital, with significant museums and culture, many yoga studios, and the Aare river as a great mindfulness reminder («be present, go with the flow»).

I go to the gym several days a week and I like to visit several cafés and restaurants in the old town and near my workplace, like Adrianos, Froh-Sinn, Jul, Luciano's, Casino, Steinhalle or Kirchenfeld.

I would say the high quality of life. The pace is also slower than in other larger cities I have lived in, which allows for human contact and interesting conversations over an apero.

Probably the feeling of being safe, breathing incredible mountain air, and drinking fresh mountain water from the tap.

Visiting the Jungfrau mountain and the historical St. Gallen library, going once more to Zermatt and sleighing down the mountain.

Get a halbtax (half fare travelcard) to travel in Switzerland, buy an inflatable boat for the Aare, and get an apartment with a view (mountains or old town) – it is worth it! I would also recommend to join the female diplomats meetings organized by different embassies, since it is a great opportunity to network.

Shortly after my arrival in Bern, I had lunch in the same restaurant where Federal Councillors Cassis and Keller-Suter were eating with their teams, so I approached them and introduced myself.

Aamir Shouket, Ambassador of Pakistan.

Discover the interesting personalities who enrich our federal city.