Meeting of the Council of the Swiss Abroad 15 March 2024
Interested persons were able to follow the meeting on site at the Kursaal in Bern or via live streaming.
How does the Council of the Swiss Abroad work on behalf of Swiss people abroad?
The Council of the Swiss Abroad (CSA) represents the interests of Swiss citizens abroad vis-à-vis the authorities and the public in Switzerland.
Council of the Swiss Abroad members all over the world fight for the rights of the “Fifth Switzerland”. The CSA is thus often referred to as its mouthpiece or even as the “Parliament of the “Fifth Switzerland”” as it irepresents the Swiss Abroad all around the world.
The CSA comprises 140 members (120 members abroad and 20 at home). The seat allocation corresponds to the number of Swiss Abroad in the respective country.
The Council of the Swiss Abroad meets twice per year. At their meetings, the delegates discuss Swiss Abroad policy questions as well as current political topics concerning the Swiss Abroad. They make decisions and determine opinions and resolutions which are then submitted to the competent authorities.
The achievements of the Council of the Swiss Abroad
The Council of the Swiss Abroad can look back on numerous achievements. These include:
- The enshrining of the Swiss Abroad in the Federal Constitution (Art. 40 BV)
- The creation of a Swiss Abroad Act (SAA; SR 195.1)
- The introduction of the voting and electoral rights for Swiss abroad
- The continuance of the voluntary old-age and survivors’ insurance/invalidity insurance (OASI/DI)