Charles Kleiber studied architecture and graduated from the École polytechnique fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL). He worked as a freelance architect and hospital consultant. In 1978 he designed the hospital located in the district of “Pays-d’Enhaut”, a small wooden structure using solar energy.

He quickly became interested in economic incentives in the healthcare sector, and went on to obtain a doctorate in health economics at the “Institut de hautes études en administration publique” ( IDHEAP). He became head of the public health and health planning department of the canton of Vaud, before being appointed Director General of the Vaud University Hospital Centre (CHUV).

In 1997, the Federal Government appointed him Undersecretary of State in charge of Education and Research. He subsequently became Director of the newly created State Secretariat for Education and Research in 2005. During this long period of office, Charles Kleiber supported scientific research and university education by strengthening cooperation between researchers from different countries and increasing the funds dedicated to science. The university system underwent a profound transformation.

In 2001, Charles Kleiber set up the “Disputons-Nous” association to organise and support debates on major social issues. The first edition was entitled “La Dispute”, in reference to the religious disputes of the 16th century, in particular that of Lausanne. The theme was “hatred”. A second debate “Disputons-Nous” was held a year later at the Musée cantonal des Beaux-Arts. It focused on migration, gender and democracy. In 2023, the “Disputes” at the Palais de Rumine took the form of mock trials on the subject of the automobile, the hospital, borders, and growth.

Charles Kleiber is the author of two books, “Créer” (2006) and “De la joie de connaître: Une anthologie provisoire” (2007), as well as two short films, “La démocratie à l’épreuve de la mondialisation” and “Ailleurs”, on the issue of human migration in the context of globalisation.