Karima Schweikert: From the Sorbonne to UNESCO and the United Nations, an International Career Dedicated to Peace and Swiss–African Cooperation

A graduate of Paris 1 Panthéon-Sorbonne University, with nearly fourteen years of experience at UNESCO in Paris, followed by positions at the Embassy of Côte d'Ivoire in Switzerland and the Universal Postal Union (UPU), a UN specialized agency, Karima Schweikert represents a generation of professionals whose international experience brings cultures and institutions closer together. Today she puts her skills at the service of e-Peace Switzerland and the Swiss–Africa International Forum (FISA 2027).

From Algiers to the Sorbonne: A Journey Shaped by History and Openness to the World

Born and raised in Algiers, Karima Schweikert developed her early values in a family environment rooted in solidarity, sharing, respect and perseverance.

Her adolescence and early university years coincided with an especially painful period in Algeria's contemporary history. The violence of the 1990s, which deeply affected society, awakened in her an early awareness of the fragility of peace and the importance of dialogue among communities.

This experience gradually shaped a conviction that would accompany her throughout her career: peace, stability and coexistence can never be taken for granted. They must be nurtured through education, mutual respect and cooperation.

Driven by an interest in relations among peoples and the functioning of institutions, she studied political science and international relations in Algiers, earning an undergraduate degree.

She then continued her academic journey in France at the prestigious Paris 1 Panthéon-Sorbonne University, where she earned a master's-level qualification in political science and international relations.

This education across Algeria and France broadened her understanding of geopolitics, diplomatic mechanisms and intercultural dynamics.

Nearly Fourteen Years at UNESCO: An Immersion in Multilateral Diplomacy

In 2002, Karima Schweikert began a decisive chapter of her career when she joined the Permanent Delegation of the Sultanate of Oman to UNESCO in Paris.

For nearly fourteen years, she worked at the heart of one of the United Nations system's major organizations, contributing to diplomatic, administrative and financial activities.

Initially assisting the Head of Mission, she organized meetings, coordinated official travel, prepared institutional files and monitored diplomatic activities.

She became familiar with UNESCO's governance mechanisms, including the work of its Executive Board and General Conference.

In 2005, she took part in a particularly significant moment in the organization's institutional life: the campaign of her Head of Mission for the presidency of UNESCO's 33rd General Conference. The campaign resulted in his election for a two-year term.

This experience gave her practical insight into international electoral processes, diplomatic coordination and relations among member states.

From 2009, she assumed broader responsibilities in the Delegation's administrative and financial management, including budget oversight, human resources management and logistical organization of institutional and cultural events.

Those years at UNESCO laid a major foundation for her expertise: multilateral diplomacy, institutional management, administrative rigor, professional discretion and coordination in multicultural settings.

From the Embassy of Côte d'Ivoire to the Universal Postal Union: At the Crossroads of International Relations

Moving to Switzerland opened a new chapter in her career.

After volunteering on the management committee of the International French School of Bern from 2016 to 2019, Karima Schweikert joined the Embassy of Côte d'Ivoire in Bern, where she worked from 2019 to 2022.

There she carried out diplomatic, administrative and consular coordination. She helped organize and follow up international events such as the World Economic Forum in Davos, Africa Business Day and activities connected to the UPU Congress in Abidjan.

She also supported the Ivorian community in Switzerland by processing consular matters, welcoming nationals and assisting official delegations.

This experience deepened her knowledge of institutional relations between Switzerland and African countries and reinforced her sensitivity to diaspora realities.

In 2023, she continued her career at the Universal Postal Union (UPU), a United Nations specialized agency based in Bern.

She initially supported project management and development cooperation activities before joining UPU*Clearing operations in 2024.

This international financial clearing platform facilitates settlements among postal operators in 51 member countries.

Her responsibilities include monitoring financial operations, coordinating bank settlements, managing accounts and international communication.

Her journey from UNESCO to the UPU, via bilateral diplomacy, demonstrates her versatility and ability to combine technical and institutional demands with the human qualities essential to international cooperation.

e-Peace Switzerland and FISA 2027: International Experience Connecting Switzerland and Africa

Today, Karima Schweikert continues her international engagement within e-Peace Switzerland, a Swiss organization promoting peace, intercultural dialogue and cooperation among societies.

As part of the operational team, she coordinates international projects for the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region.

She also contributes to preparations for the Swiss–Africa International Forum (FISA 2027) as exhibitors' coordinator.

This role is important to a Forum that aims to bring together businesses, investors, public institutions, international organizations and African and Swiss economic stakeholders around lasting partnerships.

Her understanding of diplomatic environments, experience organizing international gatherings and command of administrative processes help support exhibitors and facilitate exchanges among stakeholders.

Karima fully shares FISA's ambition to strengthen Switzerland's position as a preferred partner of the African continent, through an approach based on complementary expertise, innovation, trust and mutual interests.

Her experience has allowed her to appreciate the Swiss model's distinctive features, especially institutional stability, innovative capacity and a culture of dialogue. She regards these qualities as valuable assets for developing constructive cooperation with African countries.

Peace as a Guiding Thread Across Cultures

Beyond the prestigious institutions that mark her career, Karima Schweikert's story is above all that of a woman deeply committed to human relationships.

From her childhood in Algiers to her years in Paris and her journey in Switzerland, she has learned to move among different cultures, traditions and perspectives.

This diversity of experience underpins her belief that cultural differences should not be obstacles but sources of mutual enrichment.

For her, international cooperation depends as much on institutions and agreements as it does on the quality of human relationships, trust and the ability to listen.

She summarizes her philosophy as follows:

“For me, peace is not merely an ideal to pursue. It is built every day through encounters, dialogue, shared experiences and knowledge, and the willingness to build a common future.”

Through her engagement with e-Peace Switzerland and FISA 2027, Karima Schweikert now brings her diplomatic and institutional experience into a new dynamic: helping build lasting bridges between Switzerland and Africa, with dialogue, cooperation and trust as practical instruments of peace and shared development.