Founded in Geneva in 1996 in association with the Council of Europe, FEDRE(www.fedre.org)has always focused on cross-border regions. In 2023, it formed a partnership with Crédit Agricole next bank to study the border effect in the regions surrounding Switzerland. Following Issue 1, which addressed food aid; Issue 2, which examined challenges in the healthcare sector; Issue 3, which presented a vital topic for our regions—water; Issue 4, which focused on culture; Issue 5, which tackled the sensitive issue of who compensates cross-border workers for unemployment; Issue 6 focused on the idea of a cross-border resident card,the next issue analyzed sustainable mobility in cross-border urban areas, Issue 8 was devoted to the European aspects of cross-border cooperation, Issue 9 to the diversity of tax systems for cross-border workers, Issue 10 to the difference between Switzerland and its neighbors in counting the unemployed, Issue 11 on the planning of sustainable transport infrastructure in border agglomerations, Issue 12 on the contribution of culture to a common cross-border identity, Issue 13 on the growing importance of border phenomena, the 14th on the role of sports in cross-border relations, the 15th on democracy in cross-border regions, the 16th on cross-border forest resources, the 17th on cross-border workers’ associations, the 18th on the future of mobility, particularly in areas crossed by the border… here is issue 19, on “Greater Geneva.”
What has been known since 2013 as “Greater Geneva” is in constant flux, and is often even overwhelmed by its own rapid pace, with officials sometimes seeming to bail out a stormy, unstoppable flood with small buckets, as if the ship were about to be swept away. But this can also be seen as evidence of a dynamism that is simply difficult to channel and harness.
Sébastien Colson, a journalist for*Le Dauphiné Libéré*, is one of the foremost experts on this region, for which he has a natural affinity that shines through in the pages of his latest book:*Et au milieu passe une frontière*(Slatkine, 2025).
Geneva’s Irresistible Appeal
What is known as “Greater Geneva” has been the subject of several publications in recent years, beginning with Vincent Mottet’s doctoral dissertation (2016), which focused on the compatibility of environmental regulations on both sides of the border, followed by an edited volume he oversaw (2018), rich in the perspectives and experiences of various key stakeholders, each presented in a separate chapter; and in 2023, a book was published in which Jean-Louis Meynet denounced, with fairly strong arguments, what he called “The Myth of Greater Geneva.”
The changes have been so noticeable in recent years that a comprehensive overview was needed. Sébastien Colson’s book, then, comes at just the right time! It recalls the historical depth of field, without which there can be no authentic region: everything seemed simpler inthe 19thcentury, admittedly with a much smaller population; then things took a turn for the worse inthe 20th century, despite the maintenance of free zones by the Territet arbitration award (1933) to limit the effects of the increasing closure of the border. It wasn’t until 1973 that the creation of the border funds (commemorated by a collective work published by Schulthess in January of this year) brought about a lasting transformation of the situation. Subsequently, the free trade agreement between Switzerland and the European Union served as a powerful catalyst starting in 2002. And the closure of borders during the COVID pandemic was a traumatic event.
So Sébastien Colson is surely right to say that the political “Greater Geneva” “exists far more than is acknowledged, yet far less than it should” (p. 192). Admittedly, not everything has been resolved, and Geneva’s economic appeal is difficult to manage in an environmentally sustainable way without causing growing social imbalances. Geneva remains at the center of the process and knows it, but does not always fully assume its responsibilities: “In Geneva, we want to swim without getting our feet wet,” the president of the cantonal government, Antonio Hodgers, quipped on September 24, 2024 (p. 205).
Rebalancing and Governance
“Despite its challenges, Greater Geneva remains a region with rare attractions and a high quality of life, and its success is the envy of many” (p. 293). This observation sets the tone for a thoroughly researched book; one that does not overlook the Nyon region, the CRFG, the Conseil du Léman, or the Salève Cable Car; nor does it fail to give a voice to residents, bringing to light a human reality that is not always apparent behind the statistics. Thus, we gain a better understanding of the dramatic rise in inequality as well as the significant drain on skilled jobs in neighboring France, with cross-border workers earning “salaries 2.7 times higher than other residents of the French Genevois ” (p. 138); and we gain a better sense of how the border serves as a lifeline for poor Genevans (and there are more of them than one might think!).
The author rightly identifies “rebalancing” and “governance” as the two major challenges to be addressed. Yes, let us echo his words: “The goal is to convince people that Geneva’s well-being depends on Greater Geneva ” (p. 262), although this is not always easy, yet progress is being made, notably in the form of projects or ideas for Franco-Genevan co-financing in the areas of infrastructure or the training of healthcare personnel (but conversely, why now refuse to admit any children of cross-border workers to Geneva’s schools, as was recently announced?). The Geneva economy will also have to resolve to create jobs on the other side of the border. It will need to give this serious thought, as the French side has clearly indicated that it does not wish to welcome more than 100,000 additional cross-border workers by 2050.
This is a long-term endeavor, as improved infrastructure or greater opportunities for mobility and employment alone will not be enough to foster a sense of belonging. It is in this spirit that various ideas for the future should be mentioned, such as a universal cultural passport, a cross-border social security card, or a series of major events in 2028 commemorating the250thanniversary of the deaths of Voltaire and Rousseau, world-renowned figures from the region.
