François Barras EN

Ambassador François Barras is originally from Valais in Switzerland. Following a degree in law at the University of Geneva, a Masters in Anthropology from the University of Virigina, USA and a Doctorate in Anthropology from the School of Oriental and African Studies at the University of London, he began his career with UNDP and World Bank missions. He went on to a career as a diplomat which took him successively to Tel Aviv, Washington, Mexico, the United Arab Emirates, Hong Kong, Lebanon, New York, Beirut and Bern.

He retired in June 2017 and that same year joined the Council for Initiatives of Change Switzerland. He is also President of the Institute of Arab and Mediterranean Cultures (ICAM) in Geneva and President of the association Swiss Made Culture in Crans-Montana.