22.07.2014 – Enfants du Monde is deeply saddened to announce the death of its president, Serge Chappatte, on Wednesday 2nd July 2014 after a brief illness, at the age of 72.

Serge Chappatte, a trained economist, spent nearly his entire career within the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC), where he was initially hired as a scientific researcher in 1972. He then subsequently coordinated the agency’s work in Pakistan, Afghanistan, India, Bhutan, and Sri Lanka. Serge went on to become a member of the Executive Board of the SDC in 1992, and then Vice Director in 2001. He held these two positions until his retirement in 2008.

In September 2009, Serge Chappatte succeeded Jean-Francois Giovannini as President of the Board of Enfants du Monde. According to him, volunteering in this capacity was “a way of showing gratitude, and giving a little back” for everything that he had received throughout his life. He engaged with great enthusiasm for the development of Enfants du Monde and for the values he believed in. For him, education and health were important and essential aspects of development. The association was a big part of his life; he put a lot into it and got a lot out of it.
Carlo Santarelli, the Secretary General, highlighted that “Serge had a luminous journey with Enfants du Monde, thanks to his admirable personality and his extraordinary professional skills.”

He greatly supported the association’s specialisation process and specification of activities. Serge also participated closely in recent strategic decisions, as well as in the development of the association and its recognition.

Carlo Santarelli also explained that Serge “knew how to provide serious reflections, but also great warmth of character. Appreciated by all those who were lucky enough to have met and worked with him, he will be greatly missed, both on a professional and personal level.” Jean Francois Giovannini added: “Throughout his life Serge always thought of others first, with his generosity and his immense kindness. And his sense of humour!”

Serge Chappatte made a profound impact on Enfants du Monde with his generosity, his intelligence, his humour and his humanity. Our thoughts are with his family and friends.