SwissCommunity authorities, and election candidates, setting out key demands on behalf of the Swiss Abroad for the 2023–27 legislative period. Promoting international mobility In its election manifesto, the CSA calls for a concerted effort to remove unnecessary obstacles to international mobility for Swiss nationals. It wants a clear commitment to developing and driving e-government, which will provide the Swiss Abroad with easy access to government services – regardless of time zone or the geographical distance from Switzerland. Quick and easy access to consular services must also continue for Swiss Abroad in their country of domicile. To prevent new restrictions on international mobility, the CSA is a strong supporter of continued freedom of movement that allows Swiss citizens to live and work in EU/EFTA countries. The CSA also advocates removing barriers for Swiss Abroad in relation to social security. The ongoing issue of e-voting Voter turnout among the Swiss Abroad plummeted at the last federal elections in 2019, because e-voting was not available. The CSA – as it did before the last legislative period – therefore calls on politicians to introduce SMILLA SCHÄR Due to increased international mobility, the number of Swiss Abroad entered on the electoral register of a specific canton and able to participate in the federal elections has been growing for years. However, geographical distance from the relevant authorities and politicians in Switzerland makes it harder for Swiss Abroad to be politically engaged. Through its highest body, the Council of the Swiss Abroad (CSA), the Organisation of the Swiss Abroad (OSA) acts as an interface defending the interests of the “Fifth Switzerland” in Switzerland. The CSA, referred to as the “Parliament of the Fifth Switzerland”, has submitted an election manifesto to Switzerland’s political parties, Election manifesto for the “Fifth Switzerland” At the Council of the Swiss Abroad (CSA) meeting on 17 March 2023, delegates from around the world unanimously approved an election manifesto for the “Fifth Switzerland”, calling for political action in seven key areas during the forthcoming legislative period. Volunteering for young people Young Swiss Abroad aged between 15 and 25 should mark 24 June 2023, the date of the 3rd Congress of Young Swiss Abroad, in their diary. Held online and organised in collaboration with the Youth Parliament of the Swiss Abroad (YPSA), the 2023 Congress will revolve around the theme of volunteering and the opportunities that it offers. Join the conversation as young people from all corners of the globe share their views and listen to a range of interesting presentations. Visit our website at revue.link/youthcongress for details of the schedule and for everything else you need to know about the Congress. You can sign up for the event from 15 May 2023. FABIENNE STOCKER, OSA YOUTH SERVICE Youth Service of the Organisation of the Swiss Abroad, Alpenstrasse 26, 3006 Bern, Switzerland youth@swisscommunity.org www.swisscommunity.org Tel. +41 31 356 61 25 Winter holiday camps for children aged eight to 14 Whether they are skiers or snowboarders, beginners or advanced, young Swiss Abroad between the ages of eight and 14 can have a great time at our winter holiday camp. Winter holiday camp in Valbella (canton of Grisons), Date: Wednesday, 27 December 2023 to Friday, 5 January 2024 Number of participants: 42 Cost: CHF 950 (contribution to the camp) Ski or snowboard hire: approx. CHF 150 Registration Full details of the winter holiday camp, including the registration form, will be available from Tuesday, 22 August 2023 at sjas.ch/en/winter-camp/. Registration deadline: 30 September 2023 We offer price reductions whenever these are justified. An application form for financial support is available to download from our website: revue.link/application DAVID REICHMUTH, FYSA Foundation for Young Swiss Abroad (FYSA) Alpenstrasse 24, 3006 Berne, Switzerland Tel.: +41 31 356 61 16 Email: info@sjas.ch / www.sjas.ch/en e-voting quickly and across the board. When voting papers fail to arrive in time by post, e-voting is the only way for the Swiss Abroad to exercise their right to vote as enshrined in the constitution. An election manifesto on its own is not enough to ensure that Swiss politicians take the concerns of the “Fifth Switzerland” into account. The Swiss Abroad should actually be able to have a say on the future composition of parliament itself and deserve to be adequately represented. The OSA 2023 election manifesto in full (in German and French): revue.link/manifest The OSA Executive Board at the CSA meeting in Berne. In the foreground: Lucas Metzger, President Filippo Lombardi, and Ariane Rustichelli. Photo: Alexandra Jäggi 30 Swiss Review / May 2023 / No.3
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