About foraus
We influence foreign policy by amplifying new voices in the public debate.
Purpose
foraus is Switzerland's participatory foreign policy think tank.
foraus is the participatory Swiss Think tank on foreign policy. Our active grassroots community of young people influences foreign policy and its decision-making processes. We empower new voices to be heard – both within Switzerland and on the international stage.
We publish evidence-based, high-quality content with constructive policy recommendations, organisze inspiring events, and develop innovative tools for civil society engagement to tackle global challenges together.
Values
Participatory
foraus is an open community. Our Think tank is driven by a decentralised network of volunteers across Switzerland and beyond. We leverage collective intelligence and bring together diverse perspectives to make foreign policy more inclusive. Our volunteers choose their topics freely and create content independently.
Our think tank is driven by a decentralized network of volunteers in Switzerland and beyond. Our community draws on collective intelligence and brings together diverse perspectives to make foreign policy more inclusive. Volunteers are free to choose their own topics and create the content themselves.
Innovative
foraus opens access to foreign policy debates for the next generation.
Through our platform, young people can challenge conventional political practices and introduce fresh, forward-looking perspectives. We act as an open catalyst for constructive ideas and new processes that foster a modern foreign policy.
Evidence-Based
We pursue a scientific approach.
Our events and publications provide well-founded, relevant insights into their respective topics. All publications are fact-based and undergo a rigorous review process.
Independent
foraus is a non-profit association recognised as serving the public interest.
We are not tied to any political party or specific donors. We make our decisions completely independently and maintain full transparency regarding our sources of funding.
Organisation
foraus is led by a voluntary Board of Directors consisting of 12 members. A total of 11 staff members at our offices in Bern and Geneva support the community in the areas of communication, project management, and network cultivation.
This network includes over 138 volunteers holding active, honorary roles, including Policy Fellows, regional group coordinators, blog editors, podcast hosts, members of the Review Board, and alumni network coordinators.
foraus is Part of an International Network!
The Open Think Tank Network (OpenTTN) is a global alliance of different think tanks working together on foreign policy issues. Today, OpenTTN consists of Polis180 in Germany, Argo in France, Agora in the United Kingdom, Ponto in Austria, and foraus in Switzerland.
Would you like to learn more? Contact our international coordinator directly:
Claudine Karlen (claudine.karlen@openthinktank.org)
history
The History of Foraus , from 2009 to the Present
Founded in 2009 by a group of students and young professionals passionate about foreign policy, foraus was born out of a desire to bring new voices into the public debate.
In 2011, the association opened its first office in Zurich. The office moved to Bern in 2022 after also establishing a presence in Geneva in 2014, thereby strengthening its presence in both centers of Swiss foreign policy. Over the years, foraus has established itself as Switzerland’s participatory foreign policy think tank thanks to the dedication of hundreds of volunteers, policy fellows, members, and partners.
In 2024, the organization celebrated its 15th anniversary, marking more than a decade of innovation, dialogue, and citizen engagement in support of Swiss foreign policy. Today, foraus continues to pursue the same goal it had at its inception: to foster new ideas and empower the next generation to shape the foreign policy of tomorrow.
General Documents
Funding
Annual Reports
Articles of Incorporation
Funding