Editorial
“The world continues to change, and yet there is no shortage of challenges”
The world continues to change. And yet, there is no shortage of challenges, whether financial, political, social, cultural or environmental.
Fortunately, the fears of recession expressed by many economists at the end of 2022 will not have materialized. The job market has remained resilient in Europe and the United States. The fight against inflation initiated by central banks was successful. In Switzerland, economic growth was sluggish, but the unemployment rate remained at an all-time low. On financial markets, the 2023 performance was positive, driven in particular by technology stocks and solid earnings.
Yet, there is no shortage of challenges. The overall geopolitical situation remains tense, with significant direct and indirect effects.
Against this mixed global backdrop, many people in Switzerland today are in need of help, support and a sympathetic ear. We are deeply aware of this, and it is our social responsibility to do everything we can not to abandon these people, to come to their aid and to help them as best we can.
It was in this spirit of responsibility and solidarity that Fondation Groupe Mutuel was created back in 2018. In addition to being owned by Groupe Mutuel Holding SA, the Foundation aims to make a tangible commitment in the fields of health and prevention. In 2023, Fondation Groupe Mutuel provided financial support to a large number of projects and associations, as well as to people in need. It also continued its investigations and research to identify ways of improving the health system.
In particular, Fondation Groupe Mutuel supported Resiliam (an association that supports children and young people aged 0 to 24 faced with serious illness, disability or the death of a loved one) and NBCI Suisse (which works to combat discrimination and violence), through the “Groupe Mutuel Bouge” challenge. 575 employees in 45 teams took part in the challenge, which was launched within the company as part of the “suisse.bouge inter-communal duel”, of which Groupe Mutuel is a sponsor. Thanks to everyone's efforts, CHF 10,000 was donated in equal parts to Resiliam and NBCI Suisse.
In 2023, Fondation Groupe Mutuel was involved once again in the RTS charity event Cœur à Cœur. The goal, which was largely achieved, was to mobilise people in French-speaking Switzerland in support of education and training for children and young people in difficulty. Cœur à Cœur ended on a high note, raising CHF 4,329,701 for La Chaîne du Bonheur. Groupe Mutuel donated CHF 25,000.
Once again, Fondation Groupe Mutuel was able to help individuals who had sent their application to us to request one-off financial medical support. Unexpected costs, due to a serious illness or accident, can rapidly jeopardise a household’s financial situation. Similarly, innovative treatments that are not yet recognised in Switzerland may prove difficult to finance for some people.
Financial support for studies and research relating to the health system focused on two priority areas in 2023: over-medicalisation and excessive interventions. The aim, now and in the future, is to place the patient at the centre of the ecosystem – with the following question in mind: what added value can we bring to the overall process of care and recovery?
In the annual report, you will find a summary of our activities and support provided in 2023. Forty-one associations in German-speaking, French-speaking and Italian-speaking Switzerland will have received support from Fondation Groupe Mutuel over the past year. These associations and foundations offer hope, as well as projects that are sustainable, ambitious and tangible in terms of health, care, support, rehabilitation and prevention.
I am delighted to see that Fondation Groupe Mutuel is actively helping those who are suffering and in need. This is the very meaning of its action, ambition and mission.
On behalf of the Foundation Board,
Karin Perraudin,
President
