Geneva residents enjoy the high quality of life
With the ITU Telecom World 2009 in Geneva underway, the world of information and communications technologies (ICT) holds a promising future in an otherwise unpromising economy.
The theme for the event “Open Networks – Connected Minds” creates a shared vision not only telling of the ICT industry but of Geneva itself: both will continue to use networking to advance and broaden the scope of international communication.
“The Peace Capital” – Geneva, the second most populated city in Switzerland and the capital of the Canton of Geneva, is located on the south-western tip of Lake Geneva, between the Jura Mountains and the Alps. Often referred to as “The Peace Capital” of the world, Geneva is known for its involvement and presence in international affairs.
An international edge – Geneva is be-coming increasingly more important in the international schema. Other than ITU, the often mistaken capital of Switzerland serves as the headquarters to 125 multinational companies, in addition to the some 25 international organizations and 300 international NGOs who call the city home.
Since more than half of the residential population is not native, Geneva’s international presence is part of – if not dominant of – the culture; the mix of languages, peoples and personalities makes for the ideal atmosphere to start a business, especially one that crosses borders.
Centrality of location – Recognized for its high quality of life, the cosmopolitan city offers endless advantages to its inhabitants, beginning with its centrality in Europe. Geneva’s convenient location allows for easy travel to and from Europe’s business capitals, such as London, Frankfurt and Milan, as well as from countries in Africa and the Middle East. From the Gare Cornavin, Geneva is a just under a 2-hour train ride from Switzerland’s capital Bern.
Effective infrastructure – The city is also recognized for its reliable transport. Along with the punctuality of buses, trains are also effective means of travel within the region and within the country. Accommodations are readily available and widely assorted. Within the city, there are several conference and event facilities, including the Geneva Palexpo exhibition and congress complex, Geneva Arena event hall and the International Conference Centre Geneva.
Headquartered in Geneva – Because of its international access, multinationals like Procter & Gamble, DuPont, Take Two Interactive and Sun Microsystems have already chosen the city as their headquarters. CERN, arguably the most important physics research laboratory in the world, also finds its headquarters northwest of Geneva. The city also serves as a headquarters to several international organizations, such as the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, the World Health Organization and the International Labour Organization, to name a few. Other international companies have also found a home in Geneva: Caterpillar, Credit Suisse, Iomega International, Oracle and Rolex, among many others.
Diversity of workforce – The Genevan workforce prides itself on its integrity and productivity. Because of the highly motivated and educated workforce, Geneva possesses a competitive edge: most job seekers have multiple degrees and can speak multiple languages. By reputation, Geneva workers are especially knowledgeable in the fields of research and development, information and communications technology, and medical technology and pharmaceuticals. Most often, companies find comfort in starting businesses in Geneva because of the atmosphere of the workplace.
Education – Geneva holds a renowned reputation around the world for providing excellent public and private education of high standards. With close to 300 private schools, Geneva has the highest number of international schools per inhabitant in Europe. Students travel from across Europe to experience the international flavour that Geneva brings to its education. It is home to the University of Geneva, the Graduate Institute of International and
Development Studies and the International School of Geneva. In particular, the University of Geneva is well known for its work in the biology and life sciences fields.
Leisure and cultural offerings – Ranked first for its exceptional quality of life by Mercer Consulting, Geneva offers a lifestyle unlike many other cities: it juxtaposes a cosmopolitan city with mountainous villages surrounding Lake Geneva. Because of this unique set-up, locals are involved in many outdoor activities, ranging from hiking and mountain climbing to sailing and windsurfing. The culture of Geneva streams from eating breakfast at a local café, spending days at the Art and History Museum or Red Cross Museum and finishing the night at the Grand Théâtre and the Opera House. All in all, Geneva embraces its culture and welcomes peoples of all cultures to undergo a true Swiss experience.
Tax advantages and stability – The economic and fiscal environment in Geneva is one of stability and friendliness. Because taxes operate on a cantonal level rather than a state level, individuals and corporations can experience a heavy tax relief. In fact, Switzerland has the lowest corporate tax rate in Western Europe and Geneva’s maximum marginal tax rate is among the lowest in Europe. Geneva residents are not only stable fiscally but also socially; Switzerland is known for having some of the best health-care institutions in the world and a business-friendly government.
A place for everyone – Because Geneva is such a cosmopolitan city, all peoples of different backgrounds and cultures have found a home in the city. It provides the ideal atmosphere for living, working and vacationing. No wonder it’s the world’s leader in terms of quality of life two years in a row! «««
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