General Secretariat

The General Secretariat acts as the staff unit for the Head of the Department, Federal Councillor Micheline Calmy-Rey, in her management function and in preparations for proceedings of the Federal Council. It is also responsible for:

• public relations
• contacts with other staff units in the Department and with parliament
• supervision of embassies and consulates (jointly with the Inspectorate FDFA)  
• ensuring equality of opportunity for persons of either sex and any native language
• implementing the Federal Act on the Principle of Transparency in the Administration (BGÖ)
• Communication abroad