Russia’s aggression against Ukraine represents a turning point for Europe in terms of security policy. The defence of democratic values and individual freedoms has taken on new significance against this backdrop and the growing global prevalence of authoritarian tendencies. In her speech, Swiss President Viola Amherd talks about Switzerland's place in Europe and the outlook for the continent.

Viola Patricia Amherd studied law at the University of Fribourg. She ran her own law and notary's office  and began her political career in 1992 as a member of Brig-Glis city council. She was president of the municipality of Brig-Glis from 2000 to 2012. From 2005 to 2018, she was also a member of the Swiss National Council. Viola Amherd was elected to the Swiss Federal Council on 5 December 2018, and took over the Federal Department of Defence, Civil Protection and Sport (DDPS) , making her the first woman to hold that position.

Amherd was a member of the Christian Democratic People's Party before merging with the Conservative Democratic Party in 2021 to form the Centre, which she joined.

Since 1 January 2024, she serves as President of the Swiss Confederation for one year.

This event is organised as part of the Carl Lutz Lecture series by the Andrássy University and the Embassy of Switzerland in Hungary. 

The language of the event will be German.

Interpretation in English and in Hungarian will be provided
on request.

The lecture will be followed by a reception.

The Carl Lutz Lecture series is organised within the framework of the Changing Orders Research Programme, a comprehensive project supported by the Second Swiss Contribution. The Swiss Contribution is a programme launched by the Swiss Confederation to support the Member States that joined the European Union since 2004. The programme, which has entered its second period in 2022, aims to reduce economic and social disparities in the EU, and to strengthen bilateral relations between Switzerland and the beneficiary EU Member States.