To ensure greater fairness for all concerned, and particularly for people in different time zones, 2026 will see the introduction of a new procedure for signing up to OSA Youth Service camps, whereby places will be allocated by lot. Each person may only register once per camp. However, it is possible to register for more than one camp at the same time – albeit we will then ensure that no child participates in more than one camp per year. Ultimately, we want as many children as possible to enjoy our camps. The registration phase will be open for 24 hours: from 10 a.m. on 13 January 2026 (Swiss time) to 10 a.m. on 14 January 2026. After you submit the registration form for any camp, you will receive an email confirming participation in the random allocation process. Camp participants will then be chosen by lot at the end of the registration phase. Once this procedure has finished, you will receive an email telling you whether a place has been allocated and, if so, for which camp; or whether the person is on the waiting list. If a child is drawn for more than one camp, they will be notified by email. The child can then choose to participate in one of the camps. The Youth Service must be informed of the child’s decision within 24 hours. We will definitively confirm the child’s attendance at their chosen camp thereafter. If places are still available after the allocation process, there will be an additional registration phase from 2 p.m. on 14 January 2026 (Swiss time) to 15 March 2026, working on a firstcome, first-served basis. Further information on all youth offers is available at www.revue.link/youthoffers. For additional details, please do not hesitate to contact the Youth Service. MARIE BLOCH, OSA YOUTH SERVICE SwissCommunity SwissCommunity New registration process – places to be allocated by lot In response to the huge demand for places on its camps, the Youth Service is changing its registration system. Holiday camps in 2026 – summer adventures in Switzerland A summer camp in Switzerland is the perfect opportunity to enjoy adventures and Swiss culture in the great outdoors. Amid an Alpine setting, our young campers will spend an unforgettable, action-packed few days of interaction and exploration – from hiking, to swimming, to gathering around the campfire. Organised by the OSA Youth Service, our 2026 camps are for young people aged 15 or older, offering them the chance to strengthen their own Swiss roots and make lifelong friendships. Here are our holiday camps at a glance: 4–17July 2026: Sport and leisure camp in St Stephan (canton of Berne) 18–31 July 2026: Sport and leisure camp in St Stephan (canton of Berne) 18–31 July 2026: “Mountains and lakes” 1–14 August 2026: “Swiss Challenge”, throughout Switzerland Organisation of the Swiss Abroad Alpenstrasse 26, 3006 Berne, Switzerland Phone. +41 31 356 61 25 youth@swisscommunity.org www.swisscommunity.org Federal votes The proposals submitted to the people are set by the Federal Council at least four months prior to the voting date. The Federal Council decided at its session on 5 November 2025 to submit the following proposals to the people on 8 March 2026: ■ Federal Popular Initiative “Yes to an independent and free Swiss currency with coins or banknotes (Cash is freedom)” and the direct counter-proposal (Federal Decree on the Swiss Currency and Cash Supply) (BBl 2025 2885 2886) ■ Federal Popular “Initiative 200 francs is enough! (SBC Initiative)” (BBl 2025 2887) ■ Federal Popular Initiative “For a fair energy and climate policy: Investing for prosperity, jobs and the environment (Climate Fund Initiative)” (BBl 2025 2888) ■ Federal Act of 20 June 2025 on Individual Taxation (BBl 2025 2033) All information on proposals submitted to the people (voting pamphlets, committees, recommendations by the parliament, Federal Council etc.) can be found at www.admin.ch/abstimmungen or in the Federal Chancellery app “VoteInfo”. Popular initiatives The following federal popular initiatives had been launched at the time of going to press (deadline for signatures in brackets): ■ Federal Popular Initiative “For donation-funded refugee aid and protection (Refugee Aid Initiative)” (12 February 2027) ■ Federal Popular Initiative “For the recognition of the State of Palestine” (14 April 2027) The list of pending popular initiatives is available in French, German and Italian at www.bk.admin.ch > Politische Rechte > Volksinitiativen > Hängige Volksinitiativen 30 Swiss Review / December 2025 / No.5
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