News - ECHO

By-Elections 2026 to the Staff Council for Graduates

As previously published in the ECHO, the process for the by-elections to the Staff Council for Graduates is currently taking place. This is the final straight to join and stand as a candidate!

The call for applications, launched on 17 September, closes on 30 October 2026 at 5.00 p.m. All Graduates who are members of the Staff Association1 can still get involved and submit their applications.

What’s next ?

Following the closure of the call for applications and before voting begins, the Electoral Commission will meet to examine the validity of the applications received.

All Graduates who

As previously published in the ECHO, the process for the by-elections to the Staff Council for Graduates is currently taking place. This is the final straight to join and stand as a candidate!

The call for applications, launched on 17 September, closes on 30 October 2026 at 5.00 p.m. All Graduates who are members of the Staff Association1 can still get involved and submit their applications.

What’s next ?

Following the closure of the call for applications and before voting begins, the Electoral Commission will meet to examine the validity of the applications received.

All Graduates who

Public Meetings of the Staff Association – 14 and 16 October 2026

The Staff Association held public meetings on October 14th and 16th. They covered some highlights of the Staff Association's work in 2026, including maternity and parental leave evolution, the reform of internal justice and the Five-Yearly Review, as well as additional subjects such as the partial elections for graduates. The meetings concluded with a question-and-answer session.

The Staff Association would like to thank all members of the personnel who attended these meetings. For those who were unable to participate, the slides and video recordings are available at the following links:

  • I

The Staff Association held public meetings on October 14th and 16th. They covered some highlights of the Staff Association's work in 2026, including maternity and parental leave evolution, the reform of internal justice and the Five-Yearly Review, as well as additional subjects such as the partial elections for graduates. The meetings concluded with a question-and-answer session.

The Staff Association would like to thank all members of the personnel who attended these meetings. For those who were unable to participate, the slides and video recordings are available at the following links:

  • I

Exhibition of the CERN & Society Foundation

Discover how the CERN & Society Foundation brings the benefits of CERN's knowledge, discoveries and culture to society. Meet this year's Non-Member State Summer Students, learn about the Foundation's end-of-year fundraising campaign, and see how even a small contribution can open doors for the next generation.

Through stories, images and videos, the exhibition shows the many ways the Foundation supports education, science, culture and public engagement, and how CERN colleagues and visitors can get involved.

A special focus is on the Non-Member State Summer Student Programme. This year's

Discover how the CERN & Society Foundation brings the benefits of CERN's knowledge, discoveries and culture to society. Meet this year's Non-Member State Summer Students, learn about the Foundation's end-of-year fundraising campaign, and see how even a small contribution can open doors for the next generation.

Through stories, images and videos, the exhibition shows the many ways the Foundation supports education, science, culture and public engagement, and how CERN colleagues and visitors can get involved.

A special focus is on the Non-Member State Summer Student Programme. This year's

Internal justice: how does it work?

In the articles in ECHO No. 480 and No. 481, we explored the internal justice reform launched in 2020, focusing on the process itself. In this article, we look at the final outcome: how it works in practice.

Disagreement with an administrative decision

If you disagree with an administrative decision, you may submit a request for review within 60 calendar days of the decision (90 calendar days for former members of the personnel), by referring the matter in writing to the Head of the Human Resources Department, who must reply within 60 calendar days. If no reply is received, or if the reply

In the articles in ECHO No. 480 and No. 481, we explored the internal justice reform launched in 2020, focusing on the process itself. In this article, we look at the final outcome: how it works in practice.

Disagreement with an administrative decision

If you disagree with an administrative decision, you may submit a request for review within 60 calendar days of the decision (90 calendar days for former members of the personnel), by referring the matter in writing to the Head of the Human Resources Department, who must reply within 60 calendar days. If no reply is received, or if the reply

CERN Five-Yearly Review Survey: Focus on Users' Priorities

Associat Members of personnel (MPA)  for the purpose of international collaboration and scientific exchange are undoubtedly at the core of CERN’s scientific success. 2,900 of them, referred to as users for simplicity, were invited to share their perspective on their financial situation, working conditions and recognition. We gathered 361 responses, a 12% response rate, and in this article, we present the concerns they emphasised most

Financial situation of Users

Respondents are experienced, long-standing collaborators: more than 64% have been associated with CERN for over five years. Despite

Associat Members of personnel (MPA)  for the purpose of international collaboration and scientific exchange are undoubtedly at the core of CERN’s scientific success. 2,900 of them, referred to as users for simplicity, were invited to share their perspective on their financial situation, working conditions and recognition. We gathered 361 responses, a 12% response rate, and in this article, we present the concerns they emphasised most

Financial situation of Users

Respondents are experienced, long-standing collaborators: more than 64% have been associated with CERN for over five years. Despite

AMFIE at CERN: one-to-one financial advice sessions on 21 October

The Staff Association is pleased to welcome AMFIE, the Financial Cooperative Association of International Civil Servants, to CERN on Wednesday 21 October 2026.

Throughout the day, Mrs Janine RIVALS, Honorary Vice President, and Mr Giancarlo DANIELI, Managing Director, will hold confidential one-to-one sessions to discuss the specific financial needs of international civil servants. The sessions are open to all members of the CERN personnel (staff members, graduates and associated members of personnel), as well as retirees.

International careers often come with financial questions that

The Staff Association is pleased to welcome AMFIE, the Financial Cooperative Association of International Civil Servants, to CERN on Wednesday 21 October 2026.

Throughout the day, Mrs Janine RIVALS, Honorary Vice President, and Mr Giancarlo DANIELI, Managing Director, will hold confidential one-to-one sessions to discuss the specific financial needs of international civil servants. The sessions are open to all members of the CERN personnel (staff members, graduates and associated members of personnel), as well as retirees.

International careers often come with financial questions that

Staff Association Cocktail: a success thanks to all those who took part. Thank you!

On Wednesday 23 September 2026, the Staff Association (SA) had the pleasure of hosting its traditional ambassadors' cocktail.

Held twice a year, in March and September, following the Finance Committee, this event provides a special setting for informal exchanges between colleagues designated by the Staff Association to represent it, the "ambassadors", and the delegates of the Member States and Associate Member States.

Much more than a simple social occasion, the cocktail is a genuine platform for dialogue. It allows us to address issues of key importance to the SA, to open broader

On Wednesday 23 September 2026, the Staff Association (SA) had the pleasure of hosting its traditional ambassadors' cocktail.

Held twice a year, in March and September, following the Finance Committee, this event provides a special setting for informal exchanges between colleagues designated by the Staff Association to represent it, the "ambassadors", and the delegates of the Member States and Associate Member States.

Much more than a simple social occasion, the cocktail is a genuine platform for dialogue. It allows us to address issues of key importance to the SA, to open broader

Halloween at Aquaparc

You are invited to celebrate Halloween at Aquaparc: From 10 to 31 October, activities, challenges and surprises will liven up your days.

Dare to let yourself be drawn into the world of Día de los Muertos! And the most beautiful pumpkin contest is back: this year again, let your creativity run wild and take part in the traditional Halloween pumpkin competition.

From 10/10/2026 to 10/31/2026



Aquaparc, Le Bouveret (Valais)



https://www.aquaparc.ch

You are invited to celebrate Halloween at Aquaparc: From 10 to 31 October, activities, challenges and surprises will liven up your days.

Dare to let yourself be drawn into the world of Día de los Muertos! And the most beautiful pumpkin contest is back: this year again, let your creativity run wild and take part in the traditional Halloween pumpkin competition.

From 10/10/2026 to 10/31/2026



Aquaparc, Le Bouveret (Valais)



https://www.aquaparc.ch

Exhibition "No Matter Fields" by Nata Malyu

"No Matter Fields" by Nata Malyu: Sensations, memories and emotions pass through a prism of perception and re-emerge as intuitive surrealism, emotional abstraction and fluid organic form. Moving from the figurative through semi-abstract constructions to pure abstraction, this exhibition gives shape to what often resists language: a feeling, a memory, an inner shift or the anticipation of transformation. At CERN, these inner landscapes enter into dialogue with invisible fields and forces, suggesting that what shapes our inner reality may be no less complex, or real, than the structures of the

"No Matter Fields" by Nata Malyu: Sensations, memories and emotions pass through a prism of perception and re-emerge as intuitive surrealism, emotional abstraction and fluid organic form. Moving from the figurative through semi-abstract constructions to pure abstraction, this exhibition gives shape to what often resists language: a feeling, a memory, an inner shift or the anticipation of transformation. At CERN, these inner landscapes enter into dialogue with invisible fields and forces, suggesting that what shapes our inner reality may be no less complex, or real, than the structures of the

Exhibition of the CERN Photo Club

Every photograph tells a story: that of a moment, a place or a face seen through the eyes of a photographer. Every two years, the CERN Photo Club, which brings together enthusiasts of all levels, presents the work of its members. This year's exhibition celebrates the many ways photography can be approached and interpreted, from portraits to landscapes, colour to black & white, digital to analogue.

Come and discover the perspectives, styles and stories captured through their lenses.

10/12/2026 to 10/23/2026

CERN Main building, ground floor

CERN Photo Club Exhibition (12-23 October, 2026) ·

Every photograph tells a story: that of a moment, a place or a face seen through the eyes of a photographer. Every two years, the CERN Photo Club, which brings together enthusiasts of all levels, presents the work of its members. This year's exhibition celebrates the many ways photography can be approached and interpreted, from portraits to landscapes, colour to black & white, digital to analogue.

Come and discover the perspectives, styles and stories captured through their lenses.

10/12/2026 to 10/23/2026

CERN Main building, ground floor

CERN Photo Club Exhibition (12-23 October, 2026) ·

Public events

Special Protons

 

Couverture Proton 2024

September 2024 - Towards a lasting social protection

For decades, Proton, the Staff Association's publication, has accompanied CERN at key moments in its history. In December 2022, we addressed a subject that concerns us all: the future of the Organization. In this issue, we return to this important subject from a different angle.

The future of CERN and that of its personnel are intimately linked. Offering an attractive and on ensuring a lasting social protection system (which provides benefits until the death of the last beneficiary) is a key factor in the attractiveness of any intergovernmental organization, including CERN.

The Staff Association is proposing two lines of reflection.

Proton cover

December 2022 - What future for CERN

The Proton, a publication of the Staff Association, has accompanied, for decades, all the important events of the Organization and its staff.

Sensing the concern of the staff, on this so important question of what the future for CERN is, we decided to publish an issue in December 2022.

The aim of this publication is to give an open forum to active and retired staff scientists to share their vision and ideas on the subject.

We wish you a good reading!