Obituary: André Schlaefli
Completely unexpectedly, André Schlaefli passed away on November 22, 2025, in Cyprus at the age of 75; the severe consequences of a heart and circulatory incident could not be stopped even with an emergency operation. Not only for his family, but also for his many friends and colleagues, his death represents a great loss.
André was a Swiss through and through, born in the French-speaking part of Switzerland, and primarily working in the canton of Zurich. He often used to say about the Germans, in particular, "they don't understand Switzerland," when it came to political goals and principles, finances and cooperations, votes and decisions. He understood Switzerland very well; his over 25 years of work for the SVEB, the Swiss Association for Adult Education, is a testament to that.
When André took over the leadership of SVEB in 1991 (he had previously earned a doctorate in psychology and worked for a long time in banks and the economy), he was immediately faced with the task of developing this association of several Swiss institutions into a national central organization. He achieved this through persistent work, persuasion, networking, and cooperation. And of course, through his visions, his enthusiasm, and his resilience in being able to cope with setbacks. That in 2017 Switzerland received a national law for all continuing education is largely due to Andrés' merit.
His commitment to professionalism in continuing education, which led to results early on, also played a role in this. Thus, the SVEB introduced the Quality Labels Adult Education (1996) and the EduQua Certification System (2000) in Switzerland, which are now admired models abroad for the professionalization of the field. With this, he not only further established the SVEB as the national center for continuing education but also created a closely-knit, cooperatively supported network of quality in continuing education.
André Schläfli would not be himself if he had limited his sphere of influence to Switzerland. In the first years, still relatively new in the field of continuing education, he sought inspiration, impulses, and models abroad as well. This was soon associated with numerous international projects, particularly those of the European Union, and with membership and collaboration in international committees and institutions. In Germany, he was a project partner of the DIE for many years and a member of various committees of the institute. In other European countries as well, he maintained bilateral cooperations, always balancing his role as a representative of the non-EU country Switzerland.
His talent for and interest in networking went far beyond that. Thus, André was an active member of the EAEA (European Association for Adult Education) in the 1990s, in ERDI (Consortium of European Research and Development Institutes), and later also in the globally active ICAE (International Council for Adult Education). Often, his expertise from his activities before the continuing education period was also in demand, as a "treasurer" and planner.
Andrés' outstanding activities in continuing education were recognized in 2012 with his induction into the international "Hall of Fame" (HoF), with the ceremony taking place in Vancouver, Canada. However, a simple membership was not enough for André: in the following years, he was actively involved in shaping a European branch of the organization (HoFE), as well as serving as the Chair of the entire organization. His work also left a significant positive mark on this organization. André Schlaefli belongs definitely to the most effective persons fostering Adult Education in Europe in the two decades after 1990.
The withdrawal from such an extraordinarily intense professional life was not easy for André; even after his retirement, he remained active nationally (especially in connection with the SVEB) and internationally in projects and as a consultant. Above all, however, he continued to develop his passion for sports, supported by his family and a large circle of friends, such as hiking, chess, skiing, and golf. The place of his death is also connected with the latter: a golf tournament in Cyprus.
Friends and colleagues in Switzerland, Europe, and far beyond will miss an innovative, stimulating, and intelligent person who took a stand, could also represent it controversially, and was always interested, curious, and questioning. And who was approachable and warm-hearted.
May his memory be eternal.
Obituary written by Ekkehard Nuissl, PhD