So much has happened since our last newsletter. The Organisation of the Swiss Abroad, as many other businesses and groups, had to adjust quickly and reshape their roadmap in response to COVID-19. An update on the events of the last few months is in this newsletter.
We are feeling for the many people who have been impacted by the coronavirus outbreak and may still be facing uncertainty with their businesses, careers, health and future. As a positive, under all the fear and disbelief, good things have been rising to the top. There was a surge of kindness and support around the world, showing in small daily gestures and also proactive actions like grocery shopping for neighbours. One of these acts of kindness that made a difference, is reported on below by Katja Wallimann Gates.
It is beautiful to see, that in different ways the Swiss connection can provide comfort and positive aspects to the challenges people are facing.
Keep safe and - to those where temperatures have dropped - keep warm!
On behalf of the Oceania Delegates
Carmen Trochsler
"The President of Swiss Care Society Queensland, Franz Braun, with the help of all other Swiss Groups in Queensland started the Swiss Care QLD COVID-19 Community Support. The main way of communication is a private Facebook Group and once you are member of the Facebook group you get an invitation to the more informal messenger chat. We also gave our phone and email addresses out for people who want to contact us directly.
All members of all Swiss clubs in Queensland got an email or a letter with the information.
The aim of the Support group was to get quick and practical help to any Swiss affected in any way by Covid-19, of course within the limits of the government restrictions. On the Facebook side members post useful hints and information on the messenger side it’s more private, uplifting, fun and caring.
There was a question if we want to open our group for all of Australia, but we decided against it. It’s confusing if you organise some shopping and delivery only to realise it’s for someone in another state.
If you are thinking of creating your own group, we would be more than happy to help, please copy our ideas or ask for a template. We would be willing to share how we are coordinating behind the scenes.
New Zealand has a Facebook group “Schweizer in Neuseeland Corona Virus” which seems to work well too.
So far we were able to help in a handful of cases, uncomplicated and without fuss. Unfortunately we can’t discuss any of the stories because of protection of privacy.
This is a joint effort of a group of Swiss in Queensland and I would like to thank each of you, specially Franz Braun for his initiative and leadership. I encourage other Swiss or community groups to do the same. When writing this article, the support group was up and running for a bit more than a month and I know we were able to make a difference in a few people's lives."
A Council of the Swiss Abroad meeting from home | 14 March 2020
Due to the coronavirus pandemic, the meeting of the Council of the Swiss Abroad (CSA) on 14 March 2020 in Berne had to be cancelled. As a consequence - and as a first in the history of the organisation - the 127 delegates were asked to cast their votes electronically in matters that couldn’t be postponed until the next meeting.
Click here for a summary by CSA Delegate Carmen Trochsler and some personal thoughts on the pros and cons of not meeting in Berne.
Swiss Abroad Congress in Lugano moved to 2021 - A message from the OSA
Due to the spread of the corona virus, the Organisation of the Swiss Abroad (OSA) decided with a heavy heart to cancel the 98th Congress of the Swiss Abroad 2020 in August in Lugano.
The congress is a popular yearly event attracting participants from all over the world. The decision was not an easy one, but given the worldwide critical situation and the existing uncertainty as to how the situation will be in summer, the board decided to postpone the event. The Congress of the Swiss Abroad thrives on the encounters of many people and is internationally oriented. At the moment it cannot be guaranteed that normal air traffic will resume until August. In addition, the safety of the participants has top priority. The board doesn't want to take risks that could endanger anyone's health in any way.
The 98th Congress of the Swiss Abroad will now take place from 20-22 August 2021. The venue in the "Palazzo dei Congressi" in Lugano and the topic "What are challenges for our democracy?" remain unchanged.
The OSA is looking forward to welcoming everyone in Lugano in 2021.
Until then, keep well!
Swiss Review - Check out the newest Oceania Edition
The newest regional edition of the Swiss Review, the magazine for the Swiss Abroad, is out! You can read about:
"A beacon of hope" - or why a post about the Australian and New Zealand flag on the Matterhorn went viral.
"The largest repatriation campaign in Swiss History" - or how staff of the Swiss Consulate and Swiss Embassy in Australia worked around the clock to help Swiss getting home.
"The Swiss Old Age Pension" - or what you may want to know when receiving the pension in Australia.
"Community News and Events" - or what are you missing when not joining a Swiss Club in the Oceania region!
E-Voting - A clear position and call for federal action By Beat Knoblauch, CSA Delegate, Sydney
The Federal Referendum on 17 May 2020 has been cancelled because of restrictions in place due to the corona virus pandemic. This really brings home the shocking 'unpreparedness' of Switzerland for such an occurrence in a hightech environment - a simple virus - albeit a nasty one - brings our democratic process to an abrupt halt - rien ne va plus! This proves in a drastic way the limits of our current federalistic voting system: 26 different lists of people entitled to vote. Not to mention that each canton labours on its own electronic voting system with various success rates. It is time the Swiss Confederation bites the bullet: we need a Federal Voters List for the Federal Referenda (be the voters inland or with foreign residences), still sorted by cantons to conform with the constitutional requirements as to 'Ständemehr' and most importantly: the Federal Vote to be electronically possible once safe, and also by post as before. Federal Elections continue to be on a cantonal basis. Only an electronic voting system allows a quick response from the electorate in todays rapidly changing world. A higher participation rate can be expected with an electronic voting system and will be more representative. A 'safe' electronic voting/election system is closely related to cybersecurity and this subject has to be dealt with with equal priority at a Federal level.
Image: SJAS
Foundation of Young Swiss Abroad Summer Camps The Foundation of Young Swiss Abroad is a registered Swiss charity that allows Swiss children living abroad to have a holiday in their home country, creating strong links with Switzerland. Due to Covid-19 all Summer camps have been cancelled. There will be new activities so keep checking for any updates here.
