Swiss Review 1/2021

Swiss Review / February 2021 / No.1 26 Newwebsite for OSA, Youth Service and “Swiss Review” The Organisation of the Swiss Abroad (OSA) – which since 1 January also goes under the name of “SwissCommunity” – launched a new, combined website at the beginning of the year. All OSA, “Swiss Review” and Youth Service content can now be found at www.swisscommunity.org. Readers of ourmagazine can still visit www.revue.ch, which will redirect automatically to the new shared website. The new website not only features fresh content and advice – it will also be our community hub allowing the Swiss Abroad to inter- act, share knowledge, opinions and information, get helpful tips, and announce events online. This revamp has been in the pipeline for a long time but has now taken on added significance since the beginning of the Covid-19 pan- demic, says OSA Director Ariane Rustichelli. “The pandemic has shown us how important it now is to stay connected,” she says. The aim of the new website is to help ensure that people stay in touch. “Not only will it strengthen people’s connection and attachment to Switzerland, but it will also provide the Swiss Abroadwith additional opportunities to interact.” However, online interaction is no substi- tute for face-to-face contact. Rustichelli: “Ultimately, people still need to meet each other. That goes without saying.” Which is why our tra- ditional Swiss expatriate associations have nothing to fear from in- creased digitalisation. On the contrary. “Digitalisationwill help them to enhance their profile.” Strengthening and underscoring their role and objectives within this highly interconnected community is the challenge they face. (MUL) New events in 2021: online offers to accompany the traditional summer and winter camps This year, the Organisation of the Swiss Abroad, under the name SwissCommunity, is organising a summer camp and awinter camp, and for the first timewill be providing online offers for young Swiss Abroad aged between 15 and 25. Due to the global health situation (Covid-19 pandemic), the Organisation of the Swiss Abroad has taken the difficult decision to reduce the number of camps originally planned for 2021. Just two camps will be organised: one in the VaudAlps and one in the Pennine Alps. The summer campwill take place from 10 to 23 July 2021 in Châ- teau-d’Oex and the winter camp will be from 27 December 2021 to 5 January 2022 in Grächen. Of course, the Organisation of the Swiss Abroad is closely moni- toring the evolution of the pandemic in the world. Any change which may impact the organisation of the camps will be announced on the website www.swisscommunity.org. Summer camps for children aged 8 to 14 Swiss children living abroad will have an opportunity to get to know Switzerland and its culture – and have a great time with around 40 other children from around the world – at a series of two-week summer camps from the end of June to the end of August 2021. There are still some free spots available on our holiday camps. For further details on the 2021 summer season as well as the relevant application form, visit www.sjas.ch/en/camps/. (LR) Foundation for Young Swiss Abroad (FYSA), Alpenstrasse 26, 3006 Berne, Switzerland; tel.: +41 31 356 61 16 ; fax: +41 31 356 61 01 ; email: info@sjas.ch, www.sjas.ch educationsuisse Tel. +41 31 356 61 04 Fax +41 31 356 61 01 info@educationsuisse.ch www.educationsuisse.ch Organisation of the Swiss Abroad Alpenstrasse 26 CH-3006 Berne Tel. +41 31 356 61 00 Fax +41 31 356 61 01 info@s wisscommunity.org www.revue.ch www.swisscommunity.org Our partners: Foundation for Young Swiss Abroad Tel. +41 31 356 61 16 Fax +41 31 356 61 01 info@sjas www.sjas.ch Given the uncertainty surrounding the organisation of the camps, the Organisation of the Swiss Abroad is pleased to be able to offer young Swiss living abroad an alternative. For the first time, the Or- ganisation of the Swiss Abroad will be providing online offers, com- bining learning, fun and new encounters. All offers can be found at www.swisscommunity.org. For more information: Organisation of the Swiss Abroad, Youth service, Alpenstrasse 26, 3006 Bern, Switzerland, telephone +41 31 356 61 24 , email: youth@swisscommunity.org, www.swisscommunity.org Enjoying fondue at the 2019 Sainte-Croix sports and holiday camp – before face coverings and social distancing SwissCommunity