Fifth Switzerland concludes anniversary congress in Brunnen SZ

The first Congress of the Swiss Abroad was held in Basel in 1918. As congresses were canceled during the Second World War and the coronavirus pandemic, the 100th edition could not be held until 2024. The Fifth Switzerland celebrated the anniversary with a boat trip from Lucerne to Brunnen and a ceremony on Swiss Abroad Square.

The AOS used the anniversary to highlight the changes in emigration from Switzerland since 1918. Back then, Swiss nationals generally emigrated with the intention of never returning to their homeland. Today, on the other hand, people often only change their country of residence for a few years for professional reasons.

The excursion to Brunnen concluded the congress, which began on Thursday at the KKL in Lucerne. The topics of the plenary session on Thursday and Friday were the free movement of persons with the EU and the popular initiative "200 francs is enough!", which aims to reduce the media levy in favor of the SRG. The "No" position was adopted on these issues.