New Helvetic Society

The original Helvetic Society was founded in Switzerland in 1761 by a group of intellectuals who wished to promote a Swiss identity, a sense of patriotism, which went beyond cantonal boundaries

In May 1914 at a time of divided loyalties, the Society was reborn in Geneva as the Nouvelle Société Helvétique (NSH) with the same aim in mind.

Two years later, following a visit to London of one of the founder members of the NSH, Dr Georges Bonnard, the London Group of the Nouvelle Société came into existence to encourage good relation and understanding between the Swiss residents and their British hosts, who, at that time, were wary of all foreigners and suspected the Swiss of being pro-German. A committee, which included ten presidents of Swiss societies, was set up to draw up a constitution. The London Group of the NSH was officially founded on 18 June 1916 and its constitution approved at a general meeting a month later.

By the following year the Society counted 266 members - rising to 600 within two years - and a salaried full-time secretary and a typist had been appointed. It was a time of great activity and great influence for the NSH, who, apart from organising lectures and meetings, had an important input in many projects, such as the launch of the "Swiss Observer".

The inter-war years saw a decline in membership, if not in activity, and by the end of the Second World War the situation was such that dissolution was considered, but rejected. By the beginning of 1947 a new Council was in place with Dr Hans Egli, Chief Correspondent of the Neue Zürcher Zeitung, as president. The future looked promising again.

Since then the Society has had many distinguished presidents and dedicated Council members; among them the first woman president, Mariann Meier. Mariann, who was involved in many activities of the Swiss community, found the time to write a history of the New Helvetic Society for the 75th anniversary of its foundation in 1991. It has been the main source of information for this page.

The 1916 constitution had been revised in 1948 and by 1994 was in need of an "overhaul" to respond to changing times. A study group set to work. Their recommendations, presented in a document entitled "The Way Forward", and the revised Rules were accepted by an Extraordinary General Meeting in July 1995. One of the outcomes was a more open society in which non-Swiss could enjoy full member status; another one, a smaller Council of nine members, each with specific responsibilities.

Over the years the NSH has organised many interesting events: lectures on a great variety of subjects of interest to the Swiss community and their friends, concerts, visits and purely social gatherings and looks forward to continuing in the same tradition hoping that, by bringing people together, it does fulfil the aim of its founder members.