The story we want to share today starts with a young woman from Lucerne. In a bold move for her time, she left Switzerland in 1946 at 23 to work at the Swiss Embassy in Caracas, Venezuela, where she settled and founded her family. Two generations later, life brought her granddaughter, Sabina Stein, back to Switzerland.

“I am Swiss via my grandmother, whose name was Heidi—very Swiss!” Sabina says. 

This family connection is what brought her back to Switzerland at age six, shaping a path that would lead from Geneva, where she grew up, to ETH Zurich, where she studied political science, and onto the front lines of the world’s most complex peace and security challenges.

This personal history is the foundation of Sabina’s career as a peace-building and governance expert—a career inspired by the rich ecosystem of International Geneva and consistently powered by Switzerland’s commitment to global cooperation. 

“Growing up in Geneva shaped my career aspirations. I was exposed to Switzerland’s historic role in peace mediation as a trusted neutral third party. As the country lacks colonial history, it holds a favorable position to mediate in many conflicts around the world and has hosted many peace processes. What makes a great difference is how Switzerland creates safe spaces for dialogue and tries to find deeper resolution to armed conflicts by addressing their root causes.”

She began her professional journey at the Centre for Security Studies, a think tank affiliated with ETH Zurich focusing on Swiss peace mediation processes, in close collaboration with the Swiss Federal Department of Foreign Affairs. She then joined the United Nations as a Swiss UN Youth Volunteer  with UNDP Colombia and later , as a Swiss Junior Professional Officer at the Policy and Mediation Division in the Department of Peace-building and Political Affairs at the UN Headquarters in New York. Later, she served with the UN peacekeeping mission in the Central African Republic (MINUSCA) and was subsequently deployed via the Swiss Expert Pool for Civilian Peace-building to UNDP in Syria. 

"Switzerland's commitment to peace and security is not just a policy—it's a lifeline. I've seen it transform lives on the ground. From my start as a Swiss UN Youth Volunteer in Colombia to my work in Syria, Switzerland’s support to UN peace-building efforts protects lives, restores dignity, and empowers communities and leaders to forge a path out of conflict. This strategic investment is what enables tangible recovery and lasting change for those who need it most."

Sabina is nowadays based in Vietnam, focused on supporting the country’s ambitious aspirations for growth and sustainable development. She is Assistant Resident Representative for Governance and Participation at UNDP Viet Nam. “My job here is about good governance, about access to justice and the rule of law, and about more inclusive and participatory decision making. I am building on UNDP’s nearly 50-year legacy in Viet Nam, which helped the country rise from the ruins of war to become one of the world’s fastest-growing economies.

Investment for a safer and prosperous world benefit all

Sabina’s career illustrates the multifaceted benefits of the Switzerland-UNDP partnership and how weaving Swiss principles of peace and human rights into the fabric of global governance reinforces the country's role as a trusted and influential partner in building a more stable world.

"Switzerland has a renowned expertise in mediation and peace-building and it makes a difference to the world's most pressing conflicts. Swiss tradition of humanitarianism and neutrality gives Switzerland a unique credibility. By addressing root causes of instability and fostering recovery in places like Syria and Colombia, Switzerland helps preserve a more predictable and secure international system at a time when it is under significant strain. Such predictability and stability benefits a globally connected nation like Switzerland as well."

She feels proud of the tangible results she has delivered as a result of the Swiss-UNDP partnership. 

With UNDP Colombia, she supported the historic peace process with the FARC. Later, as a Conflict Sensitivity Advisor for UNDP in Syria—a role she was seconded to by the Swiss FDFA—her work was critical. She focused on ensuring that humanitarian and early recovery assistance reached civilians as effectively as possible, while actively working to minimize risks of misuse and unintended impacts in a highly complex political environment, laying the groundwork for recovery in a fragile context. Her current job delivers very different outcomes as Viet Nam has made remarkable progress since the war ended 50 years ago and is rapidly approaching middle-income status. UNDP is working closely with the Vietnamese authorities to make Viet Nam a more attractive and sustainable trade and investment destination. “In order for Viet Nam to be attractive for investments that will drive the country’s growth, you need strong institutions, rule of law, and environmental resilience. UNDP supports these areas, working on climate change adaptation, good governance and justice sector reform.”

A Personal Reflection on Home

Despite her international career, Sabina's bond with Switzerland remains strong. When asked for a tip for visitors, her answer reflects the serenity her work aims to foster globally: “Take a slow boat on Lake Lucerne. The view of the mountains is breathtaking, and truly captures the peaceful heart of the country.”

Sabina Stein’s story, sparked by her grandmother's journey, demonstrates that strategic investment in development is a building block to sustain global stability. It is a powerful example of how Swiss engagement, channeled through dedicated professionals and global partnerships, helps build a safer and prosperous world for all.

The series "The Swiss Talk to the Swiss" intends to give a voice to UNDP Swiss staff to better understand their journey through global cooperation. Check our UNDP/Switzerland Partnership for a snapshot of 🇨🇭 Switzerland’s development priorities, delivered in partnership with UNDP.