Young citizens’ festivities with the President of the Swiss Confederation

On 22 October 2014, Swiss Abroad also took part for the first time in the young citizens’ festivities in Berne at the invitation of Swiss President Didier Burkhalter. The Swiss Abroad now of full age were informed by the mayor Alexander Tschäppät and the Swiss President about their political rights but also about their associated obligations as Swiss citizens. 

In the week before, at a seminar for young citizens, the emphasis had been placed on political participation and Swiss history. In addition to workshops with the Umbrella Organisation of Swiss Youth Parliaments (DSJ) and the Swiss National Youth Council (SNYC), there was also time for excursions. They visited the Rütli, the “birthplace of Switzerland”, the Museum of the Swiss Charters of Confederation in Schwyz and the Area for the Swiss Abroad in Brunnen. There were, of course, also cultural trips, including visits to Cailler, Switzerland’s oldest chocolate manufacturer, and the H.R. Giger Museum and a culinary stopover at the exhibition cheese dairy in Gruyère. 

The young adults were also given an insight into what a possible course of education in Switzerland might be like and what requirements they would have to meet. Those who took part in this richly varied week were able to gain a closer understanding of their second home country, both politically and culturally.