Jefferson Forum
Thomas Jefferson, Third President of the United States
Thomas Jefferson is one of America’s founders and great minds.
He was an inventor, farmer, architect, musician, linguist, archeologist, legislator, Governor, diplomat university founder, Vice president and President. He was known to enjoy the company of the brightest minds, and to learn as much as possible from every encounter. He had a broad view of the world, having served as a diplomat in Europe helping to negotiate the treaties ending the Revolutionary War. He later served as George Washington’s Secretary of State, serving in Paris.
Ambassador Don Beyer served as Lt. Governor of Virginia for 8 years, and has always been a great fan of Jefferson. In a tribute to Jefferson, the Beyers have named their series of salon dinners and lunches, “The Jefferson Forum.” From a topic like mapping the Human Genome with Craig Venter to exploring issues of Death and Dying with Carol Pensky, these events introduce a leading American to the decision makers and leaders in Switzerland.
The Embassy has hosted scores of these events, many of which are listed here.
- US Embassy hosts a special evening with the leaders of the National Wildlife Federation (May 21, 2012)
- Ambassador Beyer and Fulbright Senior Board Member Susan Ness celebrate the Fulbright Program (Oct 18, 2011)
- US Embassy Bern Hosts Politico.com founder, John Harris (Aug 15, 2011)
- Terrorism Expert Dr. Marc Sageman Explains Recent Trends in Global neo-Jihadi Terrorism (May 23, 2011)
- Jefferson Forum Luncheon with American Designer Thomas Pheasant (March 21, 2010)
- Ambassador Donald S. Beyer and Megan Beyer host a discussion about U.S. and Swiss agriculture (January 11, 2010)
- Dinner discussion with Swiss banking industry leaders hosted by Ambassador and Mrs. Beyer (December 16, 2009)
- Ambassador and Mrs. Beyer host a lunch in honor of Human Genome Scientist Craig Venter (December 16, 2009)
- Climate change lunch in advance of the COP-15 conference in Copenhagen (December 4, 2009)
- Vocational Education and Workforce Training Dinner hosted by Ambassador and Mrs. Beyer (November 27, 2009)
- Ambassador Beyer hosts a lunch in honor of Deputy Advisor to Secretary of State and USAID Administrator Andrew Reynolds (November 13, 2009)
- Ambassador Beyer hosts dinner in honor of U.S. rock climbing champion Sasha DiGiulian (September 1, 2009)