As 2017 comes to a close we would like to thank you for your interest and messages throughout the year.
We will continue to keep the Swiss in the region informed and to voice matters that are important to the Swiss abroad. We rely on your feedback to be able to do so - please do not hesitate to contact us if you have any issues or suggestions to share!
We wish you a joyous and blessed Christmas and festive season and a happy and healthy New Year!
CSA Oceania Delegates Roland Isler, Beat Knoblauch, Carmen Trochsler, Katja Walliman-Gates (AUS)
Peter Ehrler, Peter Canziani (NZ)
2018 Outlook - what is to come
Hot topics in 2018 remain the improved and more affordable access to Swiss banks for all and the deduction of the Swiss AHV in New Zealand. Notable progress has been made over the last six months in both matters with increased media presence and support of at least one chamber in Federal parliament. Both items will be tabled again in the upcoming parliamentary spring session in March.
The next meeting of the Council of the Swiss abroad will be on 10 March in Berne, Switzerland, during the above mentioned spring session of the Federal Parliament. A meeting between parliamentarians and the council of the Swiss Abroad members is scheduled. It will be a great opportunity to defend our point of view and to create goodwill.
The annual congress of the Swiss Abroad takes place on 10 - 12 August in Visp (VS, Switzerland). The congress is for everyone and is held each year in a different area of Switzerland. The council members gather, but also visits, entertainment, meeting with the local and federal authorities and local groups are part of the program.
On 28 - 30 September the 3rd Oceania Swiss Club Presidents meeting will take be held in Sydney. It is coinciding with the 50th anniversary celebrations of the Swiss Yodelers of Sydney with festivities for the public to enjoy. Save the date!
Christmas around the world. The Winter edition of the Swiss Community online magazine is dedicated to Winter and Swiss Winter traditions. CSA Delegate Carmen Trochsler was invited to share her experience of the Aussie Christmas for the magazine. Read here.
