NextGen Networking Event “Connect with Switzerland”
Entering the Conversation with the Young Leaders of Tomorrow
On November 25, the Embassy of Switzerland hosted an inaugural NextGen “Connect with Switzerland” networking event at Shibuya QWS Scramble Square. The gathering brought together over 110 Japanese-speaking young professionals and students with connections to, or strong interest in, Switzerland. Participants represented wide array of fields, including AI, finance, international law, life sciences, energy, environmental policy, foreign affairs, market research and academia, among many others.
The event was supported by key partners from the Swiss network in Japan, including representatives from the Swiss Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Japan, Switzerland Tourism, Science and Technology Office Tokyo, Swiss Business Hub, Swissnex, and the St. Gallen Symposium alumni community, who attended the event as Swiss ‘connectors’. It provided a platform for attendees to meet peers and Swiss stakeholders, share experiences, and explore opportunities for engagement with the Swiss ecosystem.
Short input sessions spotlighted concrete opportunities for young talent, such as the “Year in Switzerland” scholarship program presented by SCCIJ, the St. Gallen Symposium essay competition, and broader perspectives on why Switzerland presents as an attractive platform for young talent in education, research, and professional growth. To round off the evening, a Switzerland-themed quiz – featuring prizes generously sponsored by Switzerland Tourism and FREITAG Japan – added an element friendly competition and fun.
The NextGen initiative reflects the Embassy’s ongoing efforts to engage with young Japanese-speaking future leaders and to strengthen cultural and professional ties between Switzerland and Japan in the mid- and long-term. This event represents a first step toward more systematically involving the next generation in Swiss-Japanese dialogue, collaboration, and opportunities for mutual growth.
