Switzerland
IFES
September 2012
Meeting together
In some European universities, there is a growing reluctance to allow Christian groups to meet on campus. In others, just coordinating timetables of students and staff with room availability is a logistics nightmare. Christine Bourgeois, a staff worker for GBU Switzerland in Geneva, had become increasingly aware of these problems. During the spring term she decided to open her home to students, offering a meal and a bible study in a more relaxed setting. These studies have been well attended by students from a variety of backgrounds including many international students. Please pray that Christian students would continue to find the time and space to study God’s word together. Pray too that the Swiss educational authorities would continue to accept the presence of chaplaincies on campus - they are currently the only Christian body that is officially recognised by the universities.
Operation Mobilisation
March 2011
Social and spiritual challenges
Chocolate, fondue, mountains, watches, Calvin and the Red Cross are all images that come to mind when asked about Switzerland. Immigrants and refugees from all over the world have come to Switzerland to seek a better future and foreigners now account for about 20% of the population. Usually known as a wealthy country, social challenges include the breakdown of families, alcohol, drug abuse and violence. While New Age, Buddhism and Hinduism are widely spread throughout Switzerland, the Church has become irrelevant to many Swiss citizens. Now only a small percentage of Switzerland’s population claim to be evangelical Christians - the same percentage as claims to be Muslim.
Organisations with connections in Switzerland
Population: 8,401,120 (2016)
Literacy: 99%
Official languages: German, French, Italian, Romansh
GDP (PPP) per capita: $59,150 (2016 est.)
Life expectancy: 81 years
Religions: 42% Catholic, 35% Protestant, 15% Agnostic or Atheist, 4% Muslim, 2% Eastern Orthodox, 2% other religions