Initiative Switzerland: Prix Suisse for Willy Michel; Amal Clooney inspires in Fireside Chat
The fifth edition of the Prix Suisse brought together around 400 guests from the worlds of business, science, politics, sport and culture at the Kursaal Bern on Saturday, November 8. The Prix Suisse 2025 was awarded to Dr. h.c. Willy Michel in recognition of his extraordinary achievements as an entrepreneur, visionary and patron of the arts.
«Willy Michel stands for entrepreneurial vision, innovative strength and social responsibility. With the companies Disetronic and Ypsomed, he has left a lasting mark on medical technology and strengthened Switzerland as a location for precision and innovation. His pioneering work, particularly in the field of insulin delivery, has set new standards and improved the lives of millions of people worldwide. We are honored to present him with this year's Prix Suisse,» says Stefan Linder, Head of Initiative Switzerland. Federal Councillor Albert Rösti presented the Prix Suisse 2025, which has been awarded annually since 2021 by the non-profit organization Initiative Switzerland to individuals who have made outstanding achievements for Switzerland with courage, creativity and vision. Previous winners include Peter Spuhler, honored in 2021 for his entrepreneurial achievements, Martine Clozel, honored in 2022 for her achievements in science, Marco Odermatt, honored in 2023 in sport, and Büne Huber, honored in 2024 for his cultural work. For Willy Michel, the Prix Suisse is a special recognition of his life's work and entrepreneurial commitment.
Fireside Chat with human rights lawyer Amal Clooney
A highlight of the evening was the Fireside Chat with Amal Clooney, one of the world's leading lawyers for human rights and international law. In an impressive conversation, she spoke about responsibility, justice and the protection of press freedom. Amal Clooney has been campaigning for victims of war crimes, genocide and abuse of power for many years. She represents personalities such as Julian Assange, Maria Ressa and Nadia Murad and works closely with the United Nations and the International Criminal Court in The Hague. As UN Special Advisor on Justice and Accountability, she campaigns worldwide for the prosecution of war crimes and the strengthening of international law. With the Clooney Foundation for Justice, she supports people who are disenfranchised because of their beliefs or background. The foundation offers free legal aid in over 40 countries and is committed to freedom of expression, equality and women's rights.
