About us

Friends of India was founded in Geneva in 2001 by Pamela Walsh OBE, who was inspired to become active in assisting Indian women after helping to raise funds for the late Sir Peter Ustinov’s Global Harmony Foundation in 1999.

FOI works closely with partner associations in India which ensure essential supervision and follow-up of projects.

FOI is entirely dependent on voluntary donations and manages a yearly turnover of around 60,000 Swiss francs (40,000 Euros); its contact address is PO Box 88 , 1297 Founex , Switzerland .

Our founder-president Pamela Walsh , born in Durham , UK , on 19 September 1945, founded the ASC-International House language school in Geneva in March 1974. She directed the school until her retirement in 2004, overseeing its growth to become one of the largest language schools in Switzerland . Deeply involved in professional, charitable and cultural activities, Pam Walsh was made an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) by Queen Elizabeth in 2000, in recognition of her services to British-Swiss relations. She was granted Swiss citizenship in 2002.

Press

Friends Of India has often been cited in the press.

Discover a selection of articles (PDF file) reporting on Friends Of India and Pam Walsh.

Our partners

Friends of India works in close cooperation with local organizations that have proved to be knowledgeable and effective partners:

• SUEB (Society for the Upliftment of the Economically Backward)

• Kovalam Development Society

• Tamil Nadu Foundation

They ensure an efficient follow-up of our projects and keep us in touch with developments. You can find out more by looking at some of our partners' newsletters

To contact Friends of India

To contact Friends of India, write to our founder-director :
Pamela Walsh OBE, at PO Box 88 , 1297 Founex , Switzerland .

Our Commitee:
President:

Pam Walsh OBE: + 41 22 7764587 pam@friends-of-india.net

Vice President:

Robyn Renaud; has been involved with Friends of India from its conception. Visiting the projects in India last year was a highlight that brought to light the stark differences between India and Africa – where she lived and worked for many years in both humanitarian Medical work, Project and Community Development and with the UN system.

Robyn Renaud vice.president@friends-of-india.net

Secretary:

Trevor Greenwood’s: interest in India stems from the 1990s when he held the position of General Secretary and Managing Director at the World Gold Council. During this period he was instrumental in the establishment of the Council in India as well as its establishment in other geographies, notably the Orient and the Middle East. Aside from assignments in the United States and UK, Trevor has been based in Switzerland since 1970; he previously held senior positions in the computer industry and more recently in management consultancy. He joined the FOI Committee this year at a time when he feels it possible to devote more time to voluntary work.

Trevor Greenwood: + 41 22 7768783 secretary@friends-of-india.net

Treasurer:

Ted (Edward) Talbot: is treasurer and project director for Friends of India. He was born and educated in the UK, qualifying as a Chartered Accountant at the age of 22 and later as a Member of the British Computer Society, specializing in computer audit and systems analysis and design both within the profession and in commerce. In 1975 Ted founded his own consulting firm operating out of several European countries. Father of two children, and now quote ‘semi’ retired, he devotes most of his energies to youth work within the Anglophone theatre and church communities as well as doing quite a bit of acting himself.

Ted Talbot: + 41 22 3610401 treasurer@friends-of-india.net

Members:

Alydia Seidell: Joined the committee after her trip to India with Pam Walsh in 2006, and equipped with a brand new camera she has supplied FOI with many photos and some administrative help.

Alydia Seidell + 41 22 3466870 alydia.seidell@hp.com

Paul English : Originally from Sydney, Australia, (Australian/Swiss nationality), worked as a teacher, career advisor, coach and consultant. He also worked in Australia and overseas as a professional singer and musician. Moving to Switzerland in 1991, Paul qualified and worked as a radio journalist and on-air presenter for Swiss Radio International and then Geneva’s WRG-FM (which he helped to found). Later, he was the WRG-FM station manager before moving to the International Committee of the Red Cross as a senior manager, heading the Production, Marketing and Distribution Division for over five years.
Paul now combines all of his in-depth knowledge and considerable experience in education, management and communication with his company, English Communications SA.
Profession: Managing Director - English Communications S.A.

Paul English + 41 21 6351530 paul@englishcommunications.com

Emma Greenaway: A qualified languages teacher and experienced trainer who has also worked in the field of educational research. She has a Masters degree in Education and International Development and has travelled extensively in India. For Emma, working with Friends of India enables her to contribute to three issues about which she feels passionately: education, improving the lives of girls and women and helping India’s rural communities.

Emma Greenaway + 41 79 6563920 emmagreenaway@bluewin.ch

General Information info@friends-of-india.net

Product Sales + 41 22 7744016 product.sales@friends-of-india.net
Dana Sokopp