The Consulate of Switzerland-swissnex Boston was happy to sponsor a lecture series given by Dr. Bertrand Piccard, aka “Le Savanturier,” world-renown scientist and adventurer. Son of famous deep ocean diver Jacques Piccard and grandson of Auguste Piccard, inventor of the principle of the pressurized cockpit, Dr. Bertrand Piccard was captain of Breitling Orbiter 3, the first ever non-stop round-the-world flight in a hot air balloon. Bertrand Piccard’s latest project ‘solarimpulse’ aims to circle the globe in a solar powered airplane.

Dr. Piccard spoke to enthusiastic audiences at Boston University, MIT, and Logan Airport about how balloon flight can symbolize a new philosophy of life. In this metaphor, the balloon is a captive of the winds that propel it, just as man is a prisoner of his certitudes, his problems, or his destiny; but, in the same way that a balloon can change altitude to find currents which will change its direction, humans can rise up psychologically or spiritually to reassume responsibility for the direction of our existence.

Inspiring one hundred fifty people at MIT, over one hundred people at BU, and fifty people at Logan International Airport, Dr. Piccard’s lectures attracted a great number of new contacts for the Consulate of Switzerland-swissnex Boston. Dr. Piccard’s visit is a follow-up to last year’s video conference, an event related to the Semaine de la Francophonie. The Consulate of Switzerland offered a Swiss Style Reception for attendees of the lectures.

Links:
www.bertrandpiccard.com
www.solarimpulse.com

 This event was made possible by ‘ThinkSwiss – brainstorm the future’, a US-wide program of Presence Switzerland, the Swiss State Secretariat for Education and Research, and the Swiss Federal Department of Foreign Affairs. www.thinkswiss.org, www.presence.ch

Itinerary and photos of Dr. Bertrand Piccard’s visit to Boston

Comments of visitors:

Indeed it was an exemplary lecture: full of personal warmth, insight into human nature, and intelligent analysis, as well as being entrepreneurial, world-centric and visually pleasing.
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There is nothing more stimulating than hearing a lecturer thinking outside the box. I thoroughly enjoyed the presentation. The key here is to keep stretching your abilities with determination and focus. Too few people do this with any regularity.
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Yes, all went well and the interview aired this past weekend. The callers and listeners were most impressed.

Thank you *VERY* much, it was a fantastic lecture!

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This is to express our deepest appreciation for the opportunity to hear Dr. Bertand Piccard's most inspirational address, to meet and talk with him, and to meet both of you and enjoy your wonderful Swiss hospitality. It was a very special opportunity and occasion.

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- I appreciated the depth of information that he presented. It has caused me to reflect often over the last several days;

- His idea of change through win-win solutions is interesting in that it reminds us that those are the lasting solutions rather than the short-term quick "wins";

- Adventure without purpose or without some value is very important and not something I thought much about until he shared his view. Climbing higher, going faster, lasting longer… great, but what's the contribution? Good point.

- The 80/20 study is also interesting (and I'd like to find it). That is, we only control about 20% of our lives.

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Thank you for a wonderful lecture and reception. It was a pleasure to experience both! I would particularly like to thank Mr. Piccard for his articulation of the idea that a human being, truly bereft of the ability to acquire what they absolutely need, will take it for free. At this moment in time, when much of American policy seems to deny this basic fact of individual and societal behavior, the direct nature of the statement was disarming and thought-provoking. Although American history certainly has examples extreme and devastating poverty, I often think the size of our country makes it difficult to impress that kind of immediate threat and desperation upon our collective cultural memory. Our overblown and historically inaccurate sense of prosperity and eternal plentitude clouds our ability to see clearly and entirely the pitfalls and opportunities in modern American culture. I think that as a Swiss citizen, Mr. Piccard has a unique ability to see the world as an interconnected whole, and I hope that the clarity and immediacy of his message find native roots here in the States.
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It was a delight to attend Dr. Piccard's inspirational talk. Thank you for making his visit possible.
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I would just like to say how much I enjoyed hearing the Dr Piccard speak last night and the hospitality offered by the Swiss Consulate after the event.
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I have been working in Zurich and will be going back on the 26th, I am grateful that I was home during this event and I look forward to future events with your organization.
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Institutionally, Boston University is proud to have been able to present Dr. Piccard’s lecture. Without the initiative and support of SWISSNEX, it would never have been possible.