When & where
October 07-09, 2027
Forum Fribourg · 2.5 days
In partnership with F.R.I.C. University of Fribourg
October 07-09, 2027 · Forum Fribourg
150 years.3 clubs.1 mission.
Fribourg's Rotary Clubs bring together scientists, policymakers and entrepreneurs to tackle a global challenge: malnutrition.
Passes and the full programme will be revealed soon. Leave your email to be the first to know.
In partnership with the University of Fribourg · F.R.I.C.
until opening
— days
October 07-09, 2027 · Forum Fribourg
Manifesto
One hundred and fifty years of quiet work. One issue that unites us.
We are three Rotary Clubs from Fribourg. Together, we count one hundred and fifty years of quiet, local, concrete action.
For the first time, we are coming together around a single event. And we have chosen a subject that runs beyond our borders: malnutrition.
Eight hundred and twenty million people suffer from hunger worldwide. In parallel, a third of humanity lives with the health consequences of over-nutrition. Two sides of the same global issue.
From 7 to 9 October 2027, in Fribourg — Switzerland's agrifood heartland — we bring together global voices to think through the answers: scientists, policymakers, entrepreneurs, farmers, citizens.
Because Fribourg has something to say about agriculture and food. And because Rotary has the capacity to act.
Three clubs. One hundred and fifty combined years. One mission.
At a glance
An international summit, rooted in Fribourg.
Audience
500 participants
Rotarians · institutions · general public (open conferences)
Format
3 round tables
on malnutrition · international keynotes
Voices
6+ speakers
of global standing · F.R.I.C. moderation
Solidarity
3 beneficiaries
local · national · international
The topic
Malnutrition knows no borders. Our answers shouldn't either.
Malnutrition is a global, multi-faceted challenge that cannot be reduced to hunger or to obesity alone — it covers both.
From agriculture to R&D, from geopolitics to public health, addressing it requires bringing together expertise that rarely sits at the same table.
That is the ambition of this event: to create a space where scientists, policymakers, industrialists and field actors can speak plainly, for two and a half days, in Fribourg.
820 MILLION
people affected by hunger worldwide
Source · FAO
The topics on the agenda
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Geopolitics of food
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Transformed agriculture
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Research & Development
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Undernutrition
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Obesity & over-nutrition
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Agroecology & climate
The programme
Three days, two evenings, one theme.
Programme being finalised — confirmed speakers and the exact session order will be consolidated during 2027.
Arrival & discovery
Participant welcome, cultural walks through town, and opening cocktail at La Grenette with the Landwehr.
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Participant arrivals
International and national participants check in at partner hotels.
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Welcome stand-up lunch
Stand-up buffet at Forum Fribourg — a first moment to connect between clubs.
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Arrival programme — Cultural walks
Guided walks through Fribourg, heritage trails and the Old Town.
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Participant briefing
Practical briefing for participants (programme, logistics, translation).
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“Welcome” cocktail at La Grenette
Official opening with musical performance by the Landwehr, Fribourg's official city band.
Conferences & 150-year Gala
A full day of international keynotes and round tables on malnutrition, closed by the 150-year Gala at La Grenette.
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Arrival at Forum Fribourg
Welcome coffee and conference badges pickup.
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Opening speeches
Presidents of the 3 clubs, Canton representative, academic authorities of the University of Fribourg.
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International keynote 1
First high-level address on the global state of malnutrition.
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International speakers
Voices from India and beyond — field perspectives.
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Coffee break
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Round table 1 · Transformed agriculture
“Addressing malnutrition through transformed agriculture” — dialogue between researchers, farmers and industry.
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Stand-up lunch
Buffet at Forum Fribourg.
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International keynote 2
Second central afternoon address.
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International speaker
Focus on a regional issue from the Global South.
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Local speaker
A Fribourg actor shares insights on the agrifood value chain.
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Coffee break
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Round table 2 · Climate & agroecology
“Climate change, agroecology, and their impact on malnutrition and obesity.”
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International keynote 3
Closing address — synthesis and outlook.
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Conference closing
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150-YEAR GALA at La Grenette
HighlightThe 3 Fribourg Rotary Clubs celebrate together: 3 chefs, 3 winemakers, 3 artistic performances — a trilogy echoing the 150 years.
Visits & Autumn Market
Morning in the field — working farm visit and traditional cattle descent, followed by the Autumn Market and official closing.
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Bus departure
Departure from Forum Fribourg toward the Fribourg countryside.
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Working farm visit
Operating farm — meeting producers, touring the facilities.
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Désalpes (cattle descent)
Traditional Fribourg autumn cattle descent from the Alps — a strong folk moment.
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Stand-up lunch
Lunch on site.
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Autumn Market · Forum Fribourg
60 to 70 regional exhibitors — local products, crafts, open to the general public.
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Thank-you address
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Official closing
HighlightEnd of event — symbolic handover and announcement of final beneficiaries.
The speakers
Voices that matter, on an issue that touches us all.
Six scientific, political and economic figures bring their perspective on global malnutrition. Meet the people shaping the conversation.
Pending confirmation Opening speaker
Guy Parmelin
Federal Councillor · President of the Swiss Confederation in 2026
Head of the Federal Department of Economic Affairs, Education and Research (EAER)
Swiss Federal Councillor since 2016, heading the EAER. Switzerland's voice on agriculture, education and research — exactly the intersection the event addresses.
Sylvie Brunel
ConfirmedFormer President of Action contre la Faim
Chevalier de la Légion d'honneur · Author of « Géopolitique de la faim »
Leading French voice on hunger. Former director and president of Action contre la Faim. Author of the reference work « Géopolitique de la faim » (2000). Chevalier de la Légion d'honneur.
Joachim von Braun
ConfirmedPresident of the Pontifical Academy of Sciences, Vatican
Professor Emeritus · Center for Development Research (ZEF), University of Bonn
President of the Pontifical Academy of Sciences at the Vatican. Professor Emeritus in Economic and Technological Change, ZEF — University of Bonn. A global authority on the links between science, development and food security.
Bernard Lehmann
ConfirmedFormer Chair of the HLPE-FSN (UN/CFS)
Board of the FIBL Foundation (Research Institute of Organic Agriculture)
Former chair (2022-2024) of the High-Level Panel of Experts on Food Security and Nutrition (HLPE-FSN) at the UN Committee on World Food Security. Board member of the FIBL Foundation since 2019.
Martin Keller
ConfirmedFormer C-Level · Fenaco, KWS SAAT AG
Board member · Swiss National Bank (Mittelland), Securitas, CLAAS, BKW
Swiss and European agrifood executive. Former C-Level at Fenaco and KWS SAAT AG (seeds). Board member at the Swiss National Bank (Mittelland), Securitas, CLAAS and BKW.
Hanjo Limbach
ConfirmedFormer Nestlé · Professor at F.R.I.C.
F.R.I.C. — University of Fribourg
Former Nestlé executive, now professor at F.R.I.C. (Food Research and Innovation Center), University of Fribourg. Moderator of the event's round tables.
Moderation
Round tables moderated by — Katharina Fromm Pascal Pichonnaz Jerry Krattiger
Subject to final confirmation. The list may evolve up until the event opens.
Support the project
Every donation fuels the three beneficiaries.
The event will be self-sustaining through ticketing and partners. Every additional donation goes entirely to the three selected beneficiaries. Eighteen months of fundraising until the event — two ways to contribute.
Par virement bancaire
- Bénéficiaire
- Rotary club de Fribourg Cité
- Adresse
- Rue des Pillettes 3
1700 Fribourg - IBAN
- CH71 0076 8250 1101 1090 8
QR-facture suisse
Scannez avec votre app bancaire
Reçu fiscal délivré sur demande
The impact
Three beneficiaries. Three scales. One mission.
Echoing the one hundred and fifty years carried by three clubs, the funds raised will flow to three complementary organisations — one local, one national, one international. The final beneficiaries are being selected and will be announced during 2027.
01 Local
Local beneficiary — to be confirmed
A Fribourg-based organisation working against food insecurity. Final selection in 2027.
Selected 2027
02 National
National beneficiary — to be confirmed
A Swiss foundation active in sustainable agriculture and food security. Final selection in 2027.
Selected 2027
03 International
International beneficiary — to be confirmed
A Rotary International project aligned with the fight against malnutrition (maternal & child health, local development). Final selection in 2027.
Selected 2027
Partners
Backed by Switzerland's leading institutions.
Confirmed partners — Forum Fribourg, BCF, F.R.I.C. University of Fribourg, Canton of Fribourg, JCI Fribourg, the regional « Fribourg » brand. Further alliances are being finalised.
Partners
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- F.R.I.C. · Université de Fribourg
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In progress
- Rotary International · Global Grant
- District 1990
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Partners
Partner your brand with the 150-year celebration?
Three tiers of visibility — national, international, corporate — for an exceptional positioning in front of 500 participants.
Coming soon
Passes and pricing in the works
We're finalising participation options for 7 to 9 October 2027. Sign up to be notified when registration opens.
Get notified at launchUnable to attend but still want to support the project? Make a donation
Where to stay
Three Fribourg addresses for your stay.
The committee selected three hotels covering every expectation — from the historic centre of Fribourg to the Marly innovation hub. Book directly with each hotel for the October 7-9, 2027 weekend.
Suggested stay: Wednesday Oct 6 to Sunday Oct 10, 2027 (depending on chosen formula).
Comfort & Tradition Hotel des Remparts
≈ 3 km from Forum Fribourg · city centre
The charm of a family-run address steps from Saint-Nicholas Cathedral, in the historic heart of Fribourg.
- Central Old Town location
- Near Saint-Nicholas Cathedral
- Family-run, human scale
Innovation & Business Hotel des Innovations
≈ 6 km from Forum Fribourg · Marly
A modern 4★ address in the Marly innovation hub. Ideal for combining the event with a professional environment.
- Modern 4★ hotel
- At the heart of Marly Innovation Center
- Quick access to the A12 motorway
Comfort & Tradition Hotel de la Rose
≈ 3 km from Forum Fribourg · historic centre
A historic address in the centre of Fribourg, Rue de Morat 1, a short walk from Saint-Nicholas Cathedral.
- Historic city-centre address
- Steps from the Cathedral
- Traditional restaurant
Rates and availability to be confirmed directly with each hotel when booking.
Frequently asked
Everything you'd want to know.
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What is the « 150 years Rotary Fribourg » event?
It is the first joint edition organised by the three Fribourg Rotary clubs — RC Fribourg Cité, RC Fribourg-Sarine and RC Fribourg — whose combined history spans 150 years. The event combines international conferences, round tables and festive moments around a single theme: malnutrition worldwide.
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Why choose malnutrition as the theme?
Because the topic brings together what Fribourg knows best — agriculture and food — with a global challenge affecting over 800 million people. It is also aligned with Rotary International's health area of focus.
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What are the event dates?
Thursday October 7, Friday October 8 and Saturday October 9, 2027 at Forum Fribourg and La Grenette. That's two and a half days — arrival and discovery, full conference day and gala, farm visits and autumn market.
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Who can attend?
The event is open to Swiss and international Rotarians (30+ clubs expected), partner institutions, and the general public for Friday's conferences and Saturday's Autumn Market — including Junior Chambers and SHOMS.
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Will the conferences be translated?
Conferences will be held in English with simultaneous translation into French and German for the key moments.
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Can I attend the Gala only?
Yes. The 2027 ticket office will offer seven distinct formulas, including a dedicated ticket for the Friday evening 150-year Gala at La Grenette.
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How do I get to Fribourg?
Fribourg SBB station (under 2 hours from Geneva, Zurich, Basel). Nearest airports: Geneva-Cointrin and Zurich Kloten.
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Where to stay?
Three partner hotels offer preferential rates with the ROTARY150 code: Hôtel Sauvage (boutique, Old Town), Hôtel des Remparts (comfort, Old Town), and Ibis Fribourg (3 min walk from the Forum). See the « Where to stay » section.
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Can I donate in euros or US dollars?
Yes. Payrexx accepts donations in CHF, EUR and USD via credit card. Donations can also be made in Swiss francs via TWINT or bank transfer (IBAN).
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Is the donation counter updated in real time?
No. The counter is updated manually by the treasurer, several times per week during the campaign (18 months of collection before the event). Your donation is recorded as soon as it is received, even if it doesn't appear instantly.
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Will I receive a tax receipt?
Yes, any donation equal to or above CHF 100 entitles you to a Swiss tax-deductible receipt, issued by the treasurer. Include your full details to receive it.
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Can I donate without attending?
Yes. The « Support the project » section lets you contribute directly to the three beneficiaries, independently of whether you attend the October 2027 weekend.