Background:

Called Helvetia in ancient times, Switzerland was founded in 1291 as a league of cantons in the Roman Empire.

In the 16th century, under the leadership of Ulrich Zwingli, Switzerland played a major role in the Protestant Reformation movement, uniting various groups operating independently throughout Europe. Zurich and Basel were at the epicenter of the Reformation, but Geneva became the unofficial capital of the movement, led by John Calvin and his disciple, William Farel. In 2009, Switzerland is celebrating the 500th anniversary of Calvin’s birth.

A constitution in 1848, subsequently modified in 1874, replaced the confederation with a federal government, while giving large powers of control to each of the 26 cantons.

Switzerland has followed a policy of neutrality and sovereignty in both world wars, allowing it to become the seat of League of Nations. Geneva is the European center of the United Nations as well as home to a number of international organizations such as the Red Cross.

The work that became known as Hi Kidz International was started in1948 in Lausanne, and our international headquarters still remain there. Jura-Rosaly and La Bessonnaz, our original homes that welcomed thousands of needy children after the Second World War, are now used as retreat centers for organizing camps, seminars and other activities throughout the year.

Lausanne is also known in Evangelical circles as the home of the first international conference for world evangelization that took place in 1976, initiated by the Billy Graham Association.

• Population:
• 7.5 million
• 15.8% are children 0-14 years

• Religion:
• Roman Catholic 42%
• Protestant 35%
• Evangelicals 3.3%
• Muslim 4.3%

• Location:
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• Europe

• Capital:
• Bern

• Government:
• Confederation

• Languages:
• German
• French
• Italian
• Romansh

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