Jean Carrard born in Baden on January 18, 1919. He attended elementary school and gymnasium in Zürich where his family had moved. Thanks to his mother, French was spoken at home, and of course German at school, but this bilingualism did not cause Jean any difficulties.
He studied natural sciences at the University of Lausanne and then became responsible for the training of apprentices in the large Dubied factory in Couvet. During the many years following his departure, he maintained close contact with his former apprentices until the end of his life (see the contribution of J. Kaufmann).
When the Caux center opened in 1946, Jean devoted his capacities to it with joy and conviction. It would be impossible to relate here all that he undertook in the context of Moral Rearmament, first alone and then with Emmina, in Switzerland and throughout the world.
Jean devoted a great deal of his time to the problems of human relations in industry . As for the second highlight, it is the terms reconciliation, dialogue and change that come to mind. During a visit to Beirut, Jean met the Swiss consul in Lebanon. The latter pointed out to Jean that the dark clouds gathering over the Swiss Jura represented a real threat to the peace and unity of the country. He indirectly suggested that Jean do something about the situation.
The Carrards heard this message and also became involved in the Jura. This resulted in intense teamwork with people from all walks of life. Then it was the South Tyrol, which was also experiencing years of conflict at that time. Jean and Emmina have kept in touch with the people they met in the Jura and Tyrol to this day.
Jacky Brandt, Bulle: Already in the fifties, Jean maintained friendly relations with my parents; he used to come and "
He used to tell about his visits to Bolzano, with his acquaintances and friends from two different cultures in Alto Adige who had found common ground and reconciliation after their stay in Caux. Jean used to go there frequently from Lavin, Emmina's native land, where they spent their vacations. He also spoke to me about his concerns with the Jura people at a time when the struggle for the independence of the Jura was in full swing. In order to help find a solution to this problem, both of them had taken up residence in Moutier for some time.
His experiences as a young executive in the Dubied company in Couvet had led him to love an employee as much as an industrialist. Jean encouraged me as a boss to make decisions in obedience to my conscience. Even though these decisions were sometimes difficult to implement, they found unexpected and lasting solutions in retrospect.
Jean had a vision of service for the economy which, beyond its material role, had to incite employers and trade unionists to take into account the needs of the human being and of the community. Above all, he was concerned about social peace and integrity in the country. He was 'present' for meetings to reflect on these issues. Jean demonstrated great loyalty and his willingness to put himself in people's shoes, sometimes with a simple word.
Jean then had the inspired idea of bringing together two of his passions: on the one hand the mountains and on the other hand the transmission of knowledge and a message to others, in order to take young people to spend a week in the Valais, learning the techniques of mountaineering as well as the lessons of life. The experience was so successful that sixteen more of these camps followed, for fourteen consecutive years. Almost a hundred young people from more than ten different nationalities have tried the experience. A team was formed around Jean, with Philippe Lasserre, Jacques Henri, Andrew Stallybrass, and many more occasional ones. Over time, Etienne Piguet and I went from being participants to being instructors and organizers... as well as friends of Jean. And such a friendship, almost two generations apart, is something rare and precious, even if it meant sometimes receiving a phone call from Jean on a Sunday morning at 7am, or rather at 7:00!
His fiery personality radiated a certain inner peace. He said goodbye and wished his friend a safe journey. It was amazing; his faith was still there, with the daily experience of personal change. And his care for others will remain an unforgettable gift in my life.
He passe away on February 15, 2008.
