Mission and legacy

Since the 19th century, Geneva has been at the heart of the thinking of visionary minds committed to health and ethics.

In the second half of the 19th century, revolted by the condition of the wounded on the battlefields, Henri Dunant, Guillaume-Henri Dufour, and Jakob Dubs, alongside other citizens of Geneva, joined forces to improve the fate of war victims. At that time, wounded soldiers were often left to die in excruciating pain.

Deeply affected by the battlefield of Solferino, Henri Dunant devoted all his energy to this cause and convinced his friends in Geneva to create a humanitarian aid association. This initiative gave rise to a lasting tradition of solidarity and humanitarian commitment in Geneva.

Jakob Dubs, Madame Brocher's grandfather, was a Zurich lawyer and politician, member of the Federal Council from 1861 to 1872, and its president on three occasions (1864, 1868, 1870). Committed to the efforts of Dunant and Dufour, he played an active role in the founding of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) in 1863 and the Swiss Red Cross in 1866, which he chaired.

He played a decisive role in organizing the Conference of August 22, 1864, which gave rise to the First Geneva Convention for the improvement of the fate of the wounded in armed forces. Much of his life was thus devoted to political engagement in favor of respect for the rights of the wounded in times of war.

By creating the Brocher Foundation, Jakob Dubs' granddaughter, Lucette Brocher, wanted to perpetuate her grandfather's humanistic commitment. Together with her husband, Dr. Jacques Brocher, she decided to bequeath their Estate assets in order to continue this legacy into the 21st century in the field of health and medical ethics.

A dynamic woman and excellent manager, Ms. Brocher surrounded herself with the best advisors to manage their assets and ensure the sustainability of their project. Residents of Geneva, the couple left behind a magnificent Estate capital that now makes it possible to welcome researchers from around the world.

In the 21st century, the Brocher Foundation a modern vision of this mission. Its scientific scope, as defined by the Foundation Board, aims to respond to new challenges related to health, patient rights, and bioethics in a globalized world.

Like Jakob Dubs, who rallied politicians and citizens to the humanitarian cause, and the Brocher couple, who opened their Estate the scientific world, the Foundation today embodies this tradition of commitment and openness. It has become a dynamic forum for discussion on the health challenges of the 21st century, a bridge between the scientific world, international Geneva, and citizens, faithful to the spirit of its founders.