Notes from the Federal Palace Travel Admin – the FDFA travel app Travel Admin is the travel app from the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA). The app assists you in preparing for a trip abroad and supports you during your journey with useful functions, information and individually adaptable checklists. The regularly updated travel advice from the FDFA is just a tap away, making it an indispensable part of any travel preparation. After registering, you can enter travel destinations and add other travellers and emergency addresses. This enables the FDFA to contact you more easily in case of an emergency. Go ahead and create a profile, register your trip and travel safely! Federal votes The Federal Council determines voting proposals at least four months before the voting date. The Federal Council has decided not to hold a federal popular vote on 27 November 2022. The next voting date is 12 March 2023. Everything you need to know about voting proposals (voting pamphlets, committees, recommendations by Parliament and the Federal Council etc.) is available at www.admin.ch/votes or via the Federal Chancellery’s VoteInfo app. Popular initiatives The following federal popular initiatives have already been launched at the time of going to press (deadline for the collection of signatures in brackets): ■ Federal Popular Initiative “Yes to a ban on the import of fur products derived from cruelty to animals (fur initiative)” (28.12.2023) ■ Federal Popular Initiative “Yes to a ban on the import of foie gras (foie gras initiative)” (28.12.2023) ■ Federal Popular Initiative “Fair working conditions for truck drivers (Truck Driver Initiative)” (12.01.2024) The list of pending popular initiatives is available in German, French and Italian at www.bk.admin.ch > Politische Rechte > Volksinitiativen > Hängige Volks- initiativen Stay informed with FDFA travel advice If you are planning or undertaking a trip abroad, the FDFA can provide you with information on security-related issues concerning politics and crime in whichever country you are visiting. Register your email address with us to receive all the latest FDFA travel advice for free. www.eda.admin.ch/reisehinweise Schweiz +41 800 24 7 365 Ausland +41 58 465 33 33 www.twitter.com/travel_edadfae The Travel Admin app is for free in the iOS and in the Andoid App Shop. They’re important multipliers. In addition, we’re currently launching the new app that President of the Swiss Confederation Ignazio Cassis announced at the Congress of the Swiss Abroad 2022. Another app for what exactly? The app will make it easier for Swiss Abroad to share experiences and solutions among themselves. Useful answers to many questions can be found within their own community, after all. It will also improve networking between the representations and the Swiss communities abroad. Not everyone is a fan of networking, though. Aren’t there sometimes high expectations that Switzerland itself is the one that should solve any existing problems? During our visits abroad, we come into contact with very different mindsets. Many Swiss Abroad whom we meet face to face are managing their everyday lives very competently. From time to time, however, we definitely face high – even too high – expectations. It goes something like this: “Switzerland should take care of me because I paid taxes in Switzerland for decades.” On these occasions, I always explain what the Swiss Abroad Act actually states. Above all, try to help yourself first! Only when this fails will Switzerland step in, with a wide range of clearly defined services. You are retiring at the beginning of 2023. What do you feel really characterises your personal achievements as ambassador and head of the Consular Directorate? I can look back on a tremendously exciting period. The work of the Consular Directorate is always focused on people and their personal circumstances. This has really impressed and fascinated me, especially being able to solve the numerous “difficult cases”. In my previous positions, the focus was usually on politics. Here, it was always people, the individual, the human story. And one very simple question to finish: will you be testing out the concept of “Aging abroad” for yourself? (laughs) No, I’m determined to implement the concept of “aging in Muri bei Bern”. FDFA Helpline – your central contact point The Helpline of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA) is your central contact point for all matters relating to consular services. The FDFA Helpline is also ready to assist you in emergencies. Worldwide, 365 days a year, around the clock – by phone, email or Skype. Tel. from Switzerland +41 800 24 7 365 Tel. from abroad +41 58 465 33 33 helpline@eda.admin.ch skype: helpline-eda 26
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