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Have you had contact with an honorary consul? How was the experience?

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In my work, I focus on topics that are relevant to Swiss citizens abroad – from political developments in Switzerland and their impact on the diaspora to social, economic, and cultural issues. Before joining SWI swissinfo.ch, I worked as a local journalist for the Aargauer Zeitung. I hold a Bachelor's degree in Multilingual Communication and, as is typically Swiss, completed an apprenticeship as a commercial employee.

In a mini-series, Swissinfo looks at the widely networked, less visible network of Swiss honorary consuls. In contrast to professional consuls, their work is voluntary.

Who are these people who work on behalf of Switzerland from Bordeaux to Brisbane, from Denver to Durban? And what motivates them to take on this quiet role, which can become so important at a crucial moment?

We would like to hear from you if you have any stories to tell about the Swiss honorary consuls.

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H
hmohebbi
The following contribution has been automatically translated from FR.

We never, ever hear anything from the Honorary Consul here in Salt Lake City, Utah – not a single letter, nothing. He never, ever organises any get-togethers so that Swiss people can meet and get to know one another.__Isn’t that part of his duties?

On a jamais, jamais des nouvelles du Consul Honoraire ici à Salt Lake City, Utah, jamais une lettre, rien. Il organise jamais, jamais des réunion pour que les Suisses/Suissesses peuvent se rencontrer et se connaître.__Est-ce-que cela ne fait pas partie de leurs devoirs

H
Hans Schuster

Hi - I live in Chicago since 1980 and we had initially a General Consul which was very active and was really visible to the Swiss Community and maintained a wonderful Consulate Office with also a beautiful Private Residence at the Lakeshore Drive strip. Very elegantly and we had many gathering in the Residence. __The news came that Switzerland is short in money and the consulate with all its services was closed and transferred to the Embassy in Washington DC. __An Honorary Consult was nominated who lives somewhere in the suburbs of Chicago and is very invisible. Not sure about his background. He looks old and really non Swiss. __For passport renewal we need to wait for a potential bus who might come every couple of years. Now, we heard we have new Consult again in Chicago with one Secretary but no information what his duty is. Completely waste of money. The Swiss residence was sold at a big loss and the annual cost were $6,000! Initial purchase of the apartment was approx. $6.0 Mio. In summary, I do see the need for an Honorary Consult or non visible General Consul for business in our big city of Chicago. Use the money for Consulates in critical countries or donate the money for health care in poor countries to fight against Health crisis and food shortages.

P
pfaessler@gmail.com
The following contribution has been automatically translated from DE.

What this article fails to mention is the ridiculously low salary of just over CHF 6,000 a year. ____This raises a number of questions, given that this is, at best, a pittance that cannot possibly cover the cost of an office, a few hours of office hours per week, plus various additional duties (visits to hospitals and prisons, etc.); yes – the contribution margin has to come from somewhere, doesn’t it? ____These honorary posts have no real responsibilities whatsoever; at best, they act as messengers for the relevant embassy to relieve the latter’s ‘overworked’ staff.

Was dieser Artikel nicht beinhaltet ist die lächerlich kleine Besoldung von gut CHF 6000 pro Jahr. ____Das lässt einige Fragen offen unter der Berücksichtigung, dass dies im besten Fall ein Gotteslohn ist, mit welchem man weder Büro, ein paar Präsenzstunden pro Woche plus etwelche Zusatzaufgaben (Spital- und Gefängnisbesuche etc.) kompensieren kann; ja - von irgendwoher muss der Deckungsbeitrag dennoch kommen? ____Kompetenzen haben diese Honorarposten gar keine sondern sind im besten Fall Meldeläufer für die zuständige Botschaft um das "überarbeitete" Personal der Letzteren zu entlasten.

Melanie Eichenberger
Melanie Eichenberger SWI SWISSINFO.CH
The following contribution has been automatically translated from DE.
@pfaessler@gmail.com

Thank you very much for your contribution – the expense allowance is covered in our overview article: __https://www.swissinfo.ch/ger/swiss-abroad/honorarkonsulate-das-unsichtbare-netz-der-schweizer-diplomatie/90237844____Und You are right: The remuneration is modest, depending on the location of the honorary consulate.____"They receive no salary for their work, but an expense allowance of 6,500 Swiss francs per year. Honorary consulates therefore also represent a cost-effective alternative to career consulates.____These amateur diplomats do not receive a diplomatic passport and enjoy only ‘immunity limited to their activities as honorary consuls’, according to the FDFA. They therefore do not have personal immunityExternal link."

Vielen Dank für Ihren Beitrag - die Aufwandentschädigung ist in unserem Übersichtsartikel Thema: __https://www.swissinfo.ch/ger/swiss-abroad/honorarkonsulate-das-unsichtbare-netz-der-schweizer-diplomatie/90237844____Und sie haben recht: Die Besoldung ist je nach Lage des Honorarkonsulats klein.____"Für ihre Arbeit erhalten sie keinen Lohn, aber eine Aufwandentschädigung von 6500 Schweizer Franken pro Jahr. Somit stellen Honorarkonsulate auch eine kostengünstige Alternative zu Berufskonsulaten dar.____Die Hobbydiplomat:innen erhalten denn auch keinen Diplomat:innenpass und geniessen nur «auf ihre Tätigkeit als Honorarkonsul eingeschränkte Immunität», so das EDA. Eine auf ihre Person bezogene persönliche ImmunitätExterner Link haben sie also nicht."

V
VoiceOfRaisin

This article repeats false information about the New Zealand old-age pension. ____Everyone in New Zealand who qualifies for the state pension receives the same amount - the housewife who stayed at home raising a family gets the same as the CEO of a bank. That's because it is not based on contributions but it is a universal payment, to enable people to afford the necessities in their old age.____There is no limit on the number or amount of overseas state pensions you can receive. If you do receive money from another state, the amount that New Zealand pays you reduces. If your overseas state pensions are more than the New Zealand one, then New Zealand will not pay you any pension, because you are at least as well off as a New Zealander!____Those who want to receive their full Swiss pension AND a full New Zealand pension are being greedy. Failing to declare a Swiss pension to the New Zealand authorities is not a "workaround", it's breaking the law.____I'm sure that if I failed to declare my income or assets here in CH, it wouldn't just be called a "workaround"...

Melanie Eichenberger
Melanie Eichenberger SWI SWISSINFO.CH
The following contribution has been automatically translated from DE.
@VoiceOfRaisin

Thank you very much for your contribution and the interesting insight. I will gladly include this perspective on the "pension problem" of Swiss people in New Zealand in my future reporting. Do you live in New Zealand yourself?

Vielen Dank für Ihren Beitrag und den interessanten Einblick. Ich werde diese Sicht auf das "Renten-Problem" der Schweizer in Neuseeland gerne in meine künftige Berichterstattung einbeziehen.____Leben Sie selbst in Neuseeland

S
Sildif1
The following contribution has been automatically translated from DE.

Yes, Esther Kaufmann as honorary consul is worth her weight in gold for us here in Thailand. She is always ready to help, no matter what the topic or information is. I am also grateful to her for a lot of things.

Ja, Esther Kaufmann als Honorarkonsulin ist für uns hier in Thailand Gold wert. Sie ist immer bereit einem weiterzuhelfen, egal um was für ein Thema, sprich Auskunft es sich handelt. Auch ich bin ihr dankbar für so einiges.

R
Rafiq Tschannen
The following contribution has been automatically translated from DE.

My boss was honorary consul in Afghanistan (in royal times) and he delegated most of the 'work' to me. Yes, that was an interesting change from my job as an accounting manager. Hippies who had lost (or sold?) their Swiss passport 3 times, a husband who died under possibly criminal circumstances. Yes, I was happy to help. I also issued Swiss tourist visas...

Mein Chef war Honorarkonsul in Afghanistan (zu koeniglichen Zeiten) und er delegierte die meisten 'Arbeiten' an mich. Ja, das war eine interessante Abwechslung von meiner Taetigkeit als Buchhaltungsleiter. Hippies, die ihren Schweizer Pass 3 mal verloren (oder verkauft?) hatten, eine Ehemann, der unter moeglicherweise kriminellen Umstaenden verstarb. Ja, ich half gerne. Schweizer Turist Visas stellte ich auch aus...

Y
Yes we can
The following contribution has been automatically translated from FR.

If I hadn't been a member of a swissclub, I wouldn't have known about an honorary consul or his function or purpose.

Si je n’avais pas été membre d’un swissclub, je n’aurais pas eu connaissance d’un consul honoraire oubde sa fonction ou utilité

B
Brigitte Platten
The following contribution has been automatically translated from DE.

In the winter of 2013/14, we visited New Zealand for three months. That's how we got to know Adrian Blaser, then President of the Swiss Club. Thanks to him, we found a teacher for our children. Without his help, the trip would hardly have been possible. Since then, we have made further visits to New Zealand and Switzerland - each time a celebration. We have found dear friends and are already looking forward to the next meeting. Take care and see you soon.

Im Winter 2013/14 besuchten wir für drei Monate Neuseeland. So haben wir Adrian Blaser, damals Präsident des Schweizer Clubs , kennengelernt. Dank ihm haben wir eine Lehrerin für unsere Kinder gefunden. Ohne seine Hilfe wäre die Reise kaum möglich gewesen. Seither sind weitere Besuche in Neuseeland und der Schweiz erfolgt - jedesmal ein Fest. Wir haben liebe Freunde gefunden und freuen uns schon auf das nächste Treffen. Hebed eu Sorg und bis gli.

J
Jumbo007
The following contribution has been automatically translated from DE.

In summer 2024, I had the pleasure of meeting Marcel Schütz from Svalbard in Spitsbergen. In addition to his position as honorary consul, he is also a tour guide for the local area. He was very friendly and open-minded __Best regards at this point.

Ich hatte im Sommer 2024 das Vergnügen Marcel Schütz aus Svalbard in Spitzbergen kennen zu lernen. Dort ist er neben dem Amt als Honorarkonsul auch Tourguide für die dortige Umgebung. Er war sehr freundlich und aufgeschlossen.__Herzliche Grüsse an dieser Stelle.

Melanie Eichenberger
Melanie Eichenberger SWI SWISSINFO.CH
The following contribution has been automatically translated from DE.
@Jumbo007

Thank you for your comment. Did you see that we have already reported on Marcel Schütz?https://www.swissinfo.ch/ger/wirtschaft/vom-tourguide-zum-diplomaten/48860816

Vielen Dank für Ihren Kommentar. Haben Sie gesehen, dass wir über Marcel Schütz auch schon berichtet haben?__https://www.swissinfo.ch/ger/wirtschaft/vom-tourguide-zum-diplomaten/48860816

SWI swissinfo.ch - a branch of Swiss Broadcasting Corporation SRG SSR

SWI swissinfo.ch - a branch of Swiss Broadcasting Corporation SRG SSR