History
Since 2008
Chinese Institute Geneva Foundation (CIG) was established in 2008 in Geneva, Switzerland.
It is a politically and religiously neutral non-profit foundation, recognized by the Swiss federal government and the cantonal government of Geneva.
The main goals of CIG are to teach standard Mandarin, whilst to promote Chinese culture and incorporate cultural exchange.
The founder is Mrs. Jun CHU, also the current director. At present CIG has 18 teachers and 180 students.
In 2017 CIG has been awarded the honorary title of “Chinese Education Model School” by the Overseas Chinese Affairs Office of the State Council of China.
Chinese lessons are adapted to various needs: there are classes for primary and secondary school students with Chinese as mother tongue or as a foreign language;
classes for adults (including professional business language class), preparatory classes for examinations, such as HSK (Hanyu Shuiping Kaoshi) and YCT (Youth Chinese Test),
and IB Chinese (International Baccalaureate). CIG also provides Chinese course to the International School of Geneva (LGB campus) and Moser School (campuses in Geneva and Nyon).
CIG also organizes frequently events and activities to introduce Chinese culture, as well as cultural tours and summer camps to China.
In 2020, CIG becomes a qualified Chinese teaching institution recognized by the Geneva canton government for Chinese teaching and test scores.
In 2019 CIG had great honor to host the cultural exchange and performances for Davos Forum on “Davos Chinese and Foreign Entrepreneurs Exchange Night”,
assisting Chinese state-owned enterprises to welcome more than 100 heads of Fortune 500 companies.
In February 2019, CIG principal Mrs. Zhimin SUN was invited to participate in the live “Infrarouge” focus talk show at the Swiss national TV RTS Un (Radio Télévision Suisse).
She introduced China’s development from an objective perspective.
CIG attended annually the “Chinese Language Day” activities organized by the United Nations Geneva office at Palais des Nations.
Since its establishment in 2008, CIG has participated annually in the Chinese Cultural Immersion Youth Camp and the International Students Summer Camp – Beijing.
Chinese Language Day
CIG attended annually the “Chinese Language Day” activities organized by the United Nations Geneva office at Palais des Nations.
Since its establishment in 2008, CIG has participated annually in the Chinese Cultural Immersion Youth Camp and the International Students Summer Camp – Beijing.
On 19th January 2020, before the global outbreak of COVID-19 pandemic,
CIG exclusively hosted a Chinese spring festival celebration, which became the largest and most influential Chinese community activity in the Geneva area.
The Geneva Tourism Bureau and Chinese domestic newspaper “Economic Daily” reported on the scene.
After the outbreak of COVID-19 epidemic in China, CIG donated 21,000 medical facial masks to hospitals in Beijing,
through the Beijing Returned Overseas Chinese Federation and the Chinese Language and Culture Education Foundation of China.
Post-Covid
During the lock-down period in Switzerland, CIG kept delivering online Chinese course to local students.
In June 2020, principal Mrs. Zhimin SUN represented CIG at the 2nd Global Chinese Education Internet Teaching Seminar, and addressed the meeting as one of the keynote guests.
She was also interviewed by the Swiss French-speaking national radio station Radio Lac, and made a statement against the discrimination against Chinese during the pandemic.
In the post-pandemic era, we are also actively preparing for transformation and integration, gradually launching offline activities and flexible online and offline course arrangements.