SwissCommunity gresses, while the 2020 and 2021 editions could not take place as a result of the coronavirus pandemic. These 105 years have seen major transformations in mobility and means of communication. We have progressed from writing the occasional letter home, which took months to arrive, to instantaneous hyperconnectivity from anywhere. The 100th Congress of the Swiss Abroad will be a memorable occasion. It will address the past, present and future of the Swiss diaspora and will enable us to celebrate this The 100th Congress of the Swiss Abroad, scheduled for 11-13 July 2024 in Lucerne, is a historic occasion for the Organisation of the Swiss Abroad (OSA), SwissCommunity. Under the theme “Together across borders”, this congress will celebrate the enduring, often invisible and yet profound link between the Swiss Abroad and their home country. We also have two other big anniversaries to celebrate in 2024: 90 years of organising holiday camps for young Swiss Abroad, and 50 years of the “Swiss Review”, a vital information source for the “Fifth Switzerland”. These anniversaries emphasise once again the importance of cross-border connections and the key role of the OSA, SwissCommunity, in maintaining ties with Switzerland. Since the first congress in 1918, Swiss migration has undergone a remarkable evolution, with more than 800,000 of our compatriots living abroad in 2023, equivalent to more than 10 percent of the Swiss population. There was a time when people left intending never to return as they searched for a brighter future elsewhere. Today, we are seeing a more dynamic international mobility of shorter duration, often prompted by Together across borders The 100th Congress of the Swiss Abroad will take place in the magnificent setting of Lucerne, against the backdrop of Lake Lucerne and the majestic Alpine peaks. And that’s not all – we will be celebrating three anniversaries, and enjoying an interesting exchange of ideas. Boats are a common sight in Lucerne – vintage paddle steamer “Uri”, moored at Bahnhofquai. Photo: Lucerne tourist board/Elmar Bossard The Chapel Bridge and its water tower – one of the most iconic sights in Lucerne. Photo: Lucerne tourist board/Anina Fässler career opportunities or a quiet retirement in another country. The needs of the Swiss Abroad have also evolved over the decades. The history of the OSA Congress also reflects societal developments. The Second World War saw the cancellation of four conThe Lion Monument commemorates the Swiss Guards who fell during the Storming of the Tuileries in Paris in 1792. 28 Swiss Review / December 2023 / No.6
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