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Local initiatives

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• Initiated the online presence for Australian and New Zealand CSA delegates in 2017 to inform and connect with the community (CSA Oceania website, social media, and newsletter). These platforms are continued now under the Swiss Alliance Australia.

• ​Co-founded the Swiss Alliance Australia (SAA) in 2020 with my fellow delegates, the first national umbrella organisation aimed at strengthening connections between clubs across Australia and formalising collaboration and information sharing for the community.​​

• Co-organised the national Swiss Club Presidents’ Conferences in 2018, 2022 and 2024​ with fellow delegates and host clubs. ​

• Organised a survey in Australia and New Zealand in 2021 to identify key challenges for Swiss residents and inform activities as delegate for the term 2021 - 2025..​

• Organised and hosted a SAA webinar in 2022 in collaboration with the Swiss Embassy and Educationsuisse on 'Study in Switzerland'  (in response to survey findings, over 200 participants).​

• Initiated the Red Cross Lifeblood team “Swiss Community Australia” in 2024 to give back to the broader Australian community.​

• Initiated a FAQ section with answers and practical insights on key topics on the SAA website in 2024.

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Advocacy focus areas in the Council of the Swiss Abroad​

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• E-voting: Advocating for its broad (re-)introduction.

• Voting in general: Until e-voting is available to all, pushing for earlier dispatch of voting materials and exploring alternative delivery methods.

• Swiss bank access: Ensuring fair access to Swiss bank accounts with reasonable fees.

• Information flow: Strengthening communication both top-down (informing Swiss Abroad) and bottom-up (understanding the needs)

• Administrative processes: Simplifying to reduce barriers and make it easier to interact with authorities.

• Democratic representation: Institutionalising direct elections for the Council of the Swiss Abroad.

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Through: 

• Bringing forward and supporting proposals in the Council of the Swiss Abroad and the Board of the Organisation of the Swiss Abroad,

• participating in and engaging with working groups, 

• and exchange with members of parliament, the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs, and representatives of other relevant public or private institutions (e.g. banks).​

 

Updates are shared in meeting reports, as well as in the news and FAQ sections on the SAA website. 

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In the Media

• TV-Interview with Swissinfo on 'Democracy & why Swiss Abroad need to be represented' - 2024

• Interview with Radio 5EBI Adelaide on 'CSA Elections' - 2024

• Interview with Swiss Post on 'E-voting' - 2023

• Report by Swissinfo on OSA press conference for the congress 2023

• Report by Swissinfo on the workshop 'Political Participation' -  2023

• Interview with Radio SBS German - 'Swiss Old Age Pension'

• Report by Swissinfo on the 'Online Elections Project in Australia in 2017' ​​

 

Common questions and answers

A summary of answers and practical insights on key topics is in the FAQ section on the SAA website.

Newsletter and News Blog

For Newsletters sent between 2017 - 2022 click here, for news after that please visit the SAA news blog.

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​If you have any feedback, questions, or topics that you want to bring to our attention, please don't hesitate to contact me! 

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Email 

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