The Consular Directorate of the FDFA acts as a central point of contact, providing efficient administrative services geared to the needs of our compatriots in other countries. We spoke to its new director general, Ambassador David Grichting, about his priorities and how he is approaching his new role.
Since April 2023 David Grichting has been at the helm of the Consular Directorate, which oversees the laws governing the Swiss Abroad and is a privileged partner of the Organisation of the Swiss Abroad (OSA). After graduating in business administration and entrepreneurial studies, the 43-year-old from Valais spent several years working in marketing and project management roles before joining the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA) in 2009. Since then he has gained extensive and varied experience both in foreign representations and at head office (attaché in Tel Aviv, head of consular services in Pristina, CFO of the FDFA, ambassador in Astana), giving him a wide-ranging perspective on issues pertinent to the Swiss Abroad that he will be able to leverage to good effect over the coming years. How does he see his role?
“People tend to forget that Switzerland is also a country of emigration, and has been for several centuries,” says Ambassador Grichting. Johann August Sutter, Louis Chevrolet and Francesco Borromini are some of the most illustrious examples. While the reasons for this emigration, be it temporary or permanent, may have changed, the flow of people has not. Whether for love, work, education or a desire to discover the world, emigration clearly helps improve the diversity and dynamism of our population.
The ambassador notes that “the pace of this increasing mobility is picking up, giving rise to varying needs among the Swiss Abroad that we have to take into account in our day-to-day activities”. The “Fifth Switzerland” is hugely important and therefore merits special attention. With this in mind, the new director general hails the importance of the Organisation of the Swiss Abroad and underlines how much it matters that expats are still able to exercise their political rights.
Ambassador Grichting makes the point that 11 percent of Swiss citizens live abroad. “They are not only a key source of information but also an ideal intermediary for our economy, businesses, research, etc.,” the diplomat says. “I have observed on multiple occasions the enormous contribution they make to promoting Switzerland’s positive image by helping open up our geographically landlocked country to the rest of the world.” He also notes that “this idea of interaction between Switzerland and its community of citizens living abroad is enshrined in Article 40 of the Federal Constitution, which stipulates that the Confederation shall encourage relations among the Swiss Abroad and their relations with Switzerland.” The SwissInTouch app helps support this requirement.
As outlined in the May 2023 edition of “Swiss Review”, “the Consular Directorate works closely with other institutions to best serve the interests of the Swiss Abroad”. However, the ambassador is keen to stress that a key aspect of its activities is working with other offices and partners to generate synergies and maximise its impact. He also points out that “the principles of individual responsibility and of the subsidiarity of state action form the cornerstones of consular activities”. As such, the Consular Directorate must provide the Swiss Abroad with services and information that meet their needs and develop modern instruments aimed at facilitating relations.
Personal dialogue is essential in order to better understand expats’ needs and expectations. David Grichting: “I shall make it a point of honour to listen to and engage with our compatriots through our representations abroad or during my travels around the world. I look forward to accompanying and supporting our communities abroad, and first and foremost to meeting my expat compatriots. By transporting kindness and our values to the places they now live, the Swiss Abroad are both a calling card and a key intermediary for Switzerland.”
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