Meeting of the Council of the Swiss Abroad of 12 March 2022: Objectives and priorities 2022

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Last update on 18 March 2022

On Saturday, 12 March 2022, the Council of the Swiss Abroad held its first meeting of the new year - in digital form due to the continuing uncertainties related to the corona pandemic. Statutory business such as the income statement and the annual report for the past year 2021 were adopted at the meeting.

The members also looked to the future and defined the strategic goals and priorities for the new year 2022. On the one hand, these focus on the banking problem and on aspects of social security for the Swiss Abroad. On the other hand, the exercise of the political rights of the Swiss Abroad is a priority, as well as the strengthening of the political anchoring of the Organisation of the Swiss Abroad itself. In addition, the linking of organisations working on behalf of the Swiss Abroad will be intensified.

Switzerland's relationship with the European Union remains a core concern for the Organisation of the Swiss Abroad. Maintaining bilateral relations continues to be one of the most important issues in the new year. To this end, the Council of the Swiss Abroad has already adopted a resolution in 2021 calling on the Federal Council to "define a clear strategy to preserve the achievements of the free movement of persons" (in German or French). The preservation of bilateral relations will also be discussed at the upcoming 98th Congress of the Swiss Abroad in Lugano.

In addition, the Council of the Swiss Abroad addressed the issue of Nazi symbols. In light of the broad approval of a Swiss memorial to victims of National Socialism and its recent adoption by parliament, the time is appropriate to discuss the presence of Nazi symbols in the public sphere. The delegates of the Council of the Swiss Abroad in Israel reminded of their concern that Switzerland does not condemn everything that symbolizes National Socialism in the public sphere. They clearly demanded that the Council of the Swiss Abroad adopts a request to the Federal Council to support the prohibition of the use of racist, extremist and discriminatory symbols in public spaces. This request was accepted by a broad majority of the members present at the meeting, and a corresponding letter was sent to the Federal Council the following week.

The goals for the further internal development of the Organisation of the Swiss Abroad focus on defining the strategy until 2025 and on making the best possible use of the competences of the members of the Executive Board and the Council of the Swiss Abroad - for example in the context of working groups. Another priority is to strengthen the online communication.

Finally, in 2022 the services of the Organisation of the Swiss Abroad will be refined by, among other things, increasing the focus on advisory services. The Organisation of the Swiss Abroad is looking forward to the opportunities ahead and to realising its objectives in the interests of the Fifth Switzerland.

The Council of the Swiss Abroad (CSA) represents the interests of Swiss citizens abroad vis-à-vis the authorities and the public in Switzerland.

Council of the Swiss Abroad members all over the world fight for the rights of the “Fifth Switzerland”. The CSA is thus often referred to as its mouthpiece or even as the “Parliament of the “Fifth Switzerland”” as it irepresents the Swiss Abroad all around the world.

The CSA comprises 140 members (120 members abroad and 20 at home). The seat allocation corresponds to the number of Swiss Abroad in the respective country.

The Council of the Swiss Abroad meets twice per year. At their meetings, the delegates discuss Swiss Abroad policy questions as well as current political topics concerning the Swiss Abroad. They make decisions and determine opinions and resolutions which are then submitted to the competent authorities.