Four former female Federal Councilors Promote the "Helvetia Ruft Academy"
Four former female Federal Councilors are promoting the «Helvetia ruft! Academy» of the women’s umbrella organization alliance F in a campaign by La Stratégiste.
It’s rare for four former Federal Councilors to come together in support of a single cause. Ruth Dreifuss, Doris Leuthard, Viola Amherd, and Simonetta Sommaruga are doing just that for the «Helvetia ruft! Academy» of the umbrella organization for women, alliance F—across party lines. The campaign was developed by the Zurich-based agency La Stratégiste.
At the heart of the campaign is a joint film. The four former Federal Councilors, who together represent more than four decades of the Swiss federal government, look directly into the camera and address the viewer: We need women who are actively involved in Swiss politics. The film was produced by Mediafisch, using visual storytelling that consistently highlights the strong personalities of the women featured. The approximately 70-second film has been in use since September 2026: at events, on social media, and on the Academy’s website. It premiered during a broadcast on Swiss television.
«Even during the conceptual phase, we had a film in mind in which Switzerland’s most prominent female politicians would speak together. The fact that we were able to secure the participation of four former Federal Councilors was only possible thanks to alliance F’s excellent contacts,» says Regula Bührer Fecker of La Stratégiste.
From "Helvetia Calls!" to the Academy
The «Helvetia ruft! Academy» is the sister project of the nonpartisan “Helvetia ruft!” campaign, which played a key role in the historic increase in the number of women elected to Parliament in 2019: the proportion of women in Parliament rose from 32 to 42 percent. The Academy is expanding its skills training into a political education program—covering leadership, in-depth knowledge sessions, and nonpartisan networking. The first semester has been underway since fall 2026, with two more to follow leading up to the 2027 elections.
«We’re proud of this campaign because it has the potential to mobilize women. The fact that we’ve found the right language and a suitable narrative form for this is thanks to the dedication of La Stratégiste and Mediafisch. Regula Bührer Fecker thinks strategically and creatively at the same time: She immediately grasps what we’re trying to achieve and finds the right approach,» says Flavia Kleiner, project manager of the «Helvetia ruft! Academy» and a member of the executive board at alliance F.
According to its own statements, the umbrella organization for women, alliance F, has been the voice of women in Swiss politics for more than 125 years—a nonprofit, politically independent, and nonpartisan organization. For more information and to register for the Academy, visit helvetiaruft.ch/academy.
Person in charge at alliance F: Katrin Bertschy, Flavia Kleiner, Antonia Jochberg. Contact at La Stratégiste: Regula Bührer Fecker. Responsible at Mediafisch: Miguel Kratzer, cinematographer.
