Presentation from Former Ambassador - François Barras - Swiss Federal Department of Foreign Affaires

An extremely complex society located at the crossroads of East and West it suffers from chronic political instability and at the same time radiates an incredible energy and creativity. The past year has been a truly “annus horribilis” for Lebanon with an unprecedented economic crisis and a horrific explosion which destroyed the heart of Beirut. Will the resilient Lebanese be able to overcome the current meltdown?

Born in 1952 François Barras has a law degree from the University of Geneva, a MA from the University of Virginia and a PhD in anthropology from the University of London (SOAS). In 1986 he joins the Swiss Federal Department of Foreign Affairs. He is employed in various diplomatic postings in Tel Aviv, Wahington, Mexico City, Abu Dhabi, Hong Kong, Beirut and New York. In Bern he occupies the position of diplomatic advisor to Federal Councillor Flavio Cotti. In 2017 he retires from public service and since then shares his life between Switzerland and Lebanon where he presides over the Swiss Business Council Lebanon. In Switzerland he is the president of ICAM (Institut des cultures arabes et méditerranéennes) in Geneva and of Swiss Made Culture in Crans-Montana. He also serves on the board of the Caux - Initiative of Change (Switzerland) Foundation.