ELECTION OF DELEGATES TO SERVE ON THE COUNCIL OF THE SWISS ABROAD (CSA) FOR THE 2021 – 2025 TERM

Have you ever wondered how the Swiss who live abroad participate in and find out about which laws and policies will affect them? Do you have what it takes to represent the Swiss nationals who live and work in the UK? Stand to be a Delegate of the Council of the Swiss Abroad (CSA) for the 2021 – 2025 term.

The Council of the Swiss Abroad represents the interests of all Swiss citizens abroad vis-à-vis the authorities and public in Switzerland. It is also often referred to as the “Parliament of the Fifth Switzerland”.

If you want to stand as a candidate, you must submit the application form** either by downloading and posting it to FOSSUK, or by filling in the online form on the FOSSUK website by midnight, on the 28^th February 2021.

The application form and further information about eligibility, the activities of OSA and Delegate duties can be found here: www.swiss-societies.co.uk/elections.

How do you put yourself forward? How does it work?

• The UK has five representative delegates to the Council of the Swiss Abroad for the 2021 – 2025 term. Eligible* candidates from all parts of the UK are encouraged to stand. The application form is available now on the FOSSUK website and will be in the Swiss Review regional pages being published in February 2021 https://www.revue.ch/en/news-from-your-region/europe/united-kingdom-ireland/.
• Two delegates are nominated by and voted for by Swiss Clubs and Societies at the annual FOSSUK AGM which will take place on the 19^th June 2021. If you are a member of a Swiss Club, you can approach your president to discuss the possibility of being endorsed by that Club.
• Three Delegates are voted for by the Swiss community in the UK between the 20^th April and the 20^th May 2021. The voting slips will be available online on www.swiss-societies.co.uk/elections and on the Swiss Review regional pages in the April 2021 issue.
• Candidates will need to ‘campaign’ as it is a democratic election – candidates with the most votes will be the representative Delegates. You should encourage Swiss colleagues, family and friends to vote for you once your candidacy has been confirmed and published in the Swiss Review UK pages in April 2021.

Remember, the submission deadline for applications to be received is midnight Sunday, 28^th February 2021.

*Are you eligible to stand as a candidate? You must be a Swiss citizen living in the UK, registered with the Swiss Embassy London, as well as to vote in Swiss elections and referenda. You must be fluent in either German or French, which are the languages at the OSA Council meetings, and be willing to participate in two yearly meetings of the OSA Council in Switzerland. More information about the voting process and the duties of Delegates is available on www.swiss-societies.co.uk/elections.

**For any queries on how to apply, difficulty in accessing or downloading the forms, please email elections@swiss-societies.co.uk and a member of the FOSSUK Committee will assist.