Katia: What do Honorary Consul
Generals in your capacity do?
Astrid Marklund: I used to say that
we have three different sectors that we
work on – business promotion, cul-
tural promotion, and consular activities,
which includes serving the Swedish
population with passports, visas for oth-
er nationalities going to Sweden, help-
ing Swedish citizens when they end up
in trouble or lose their passports, reg-
istration of Swedish babies to become
Swedish citizens, and helping the older
Swedes residing in the U.S. I have an
assistant who handles most of the stan-
dard consular activities. As the Honor-
ary Consul of Sweden I also represent
my country at various functions within
my territory, arrange programs for vis-
iting business and government repre-
sentatives, and promote cultural events
featuring Swedish music and art. The
Consulate also serves as a meeting place
and a contact center for Swedes and
Americans with Swedish connections.
Consulate General of Switzerland in
Houston. What parts of America are covered
by the consulates and what are the services
they provide?
Astrid Marklund: I serve Southern
Texas, Oklahoma, and Arkansas. The
office is located on Kirby Dr. in Hous-
ton. In total Sweden has 29 Honorary
Consulates all over the US to serve the
Swedish population and to promote
Swedish interests in the US.
pressed. I hope to organize one this
year as well. Since coming to the Unit-
ed States I have always been involved in
some kind of volunteer work. I believe
that it is important for one to create op-
portunities to give back in life.
Katia: Tell us about your roles as current
and former Treasurer of the Consular Corps
of Houston.
Astrid Marklund: The Consular
Corps is an association in itself. We col-
Margherita Young-Zellweger: As an lect memberships from the consulates
Honorary Consul I represent Houston and fees for all of the monthly functions
and several counties around Houston, that we organize. The luncheons always
all the way to Austin. Switzerland has feature prominent speakers, within the
several representations. The consular community here or within the govern-
section of the Swiss Embassy covers ment, who give us insight into politi-
more than a dozen states. We also have cal, economic, and other areas. It is an
Consulate Generals in San Francisco, honor for me to continue the job that
New York, and Atlanta. There are 22 Margherita has held for all these year;
Honorary Consulate Representations she has done a remarkable job.
in the United States. We also have a
Swiss Trade Commissioner here in Margherita Young-Zellweger: It has
Houston and he takes care of a lot of been a privilege for me to serve as Trea-
business-related aspects. Switzerland, a surer of the Consular Corps over the
Margherita Young-Zellweger: I small country is the 7th largest investor last few years. My responsibility was to
would say I am a jack of all trades. First in the United States.
keep the books and manage the flow
of all, I have to represent and promote
of money, as well as to give full report
Switzerland here in Houston and the My job is to organize programs for the when requested, mostly at the annual
surrounding area. This is not too hard yearly and sometimes more-frequent meeting in February. I am proud to say
since most people hold the belief that Swiss delegations, which can be quite that the Board of the Consular Corps
Switzerland is a great country. The Swiss extensive, mostly consisting of two- of Houston has been fantastic, and that
citizens who live here, whom I have to three day meetings with the Swiss with our resources we have been able to
tend to, are easygoing for the most part. business community, City of Houston, make many donations, acquire needed
Switzerland expects from me to be well universities, NASA, and museums. I equipment, an