This year’s Congress marks a significant milestone for FOSSUK and comes at a time of transformation, as the organisation reflects on its legacy and prepares for a potential transition in both name and structure. The event will bring together members of the Swiss community across the UK, longstanding supporters, and representatives from Switzerland for a weekend of reflection, renewal, and celebration.

The full programme and relevant documentation can be downloaded on the AGM page.

The programme begins on Friday evening at the Swiss Embassy with a panel discussion on Ageing and Living Abroad – The Importance of Community and Care Across Borders. We are honoured to welcome Ann Amann, who will share her personal story as a Swiss abroad. The evening also features a special exhibition by Swiss artist Karin Lanini Arthofer, followed by a drinks reception and informal networking in the presence of representatives from the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA). You can register for Friday’s event here.

On Saturday, we return to the Swiss Embassy for the FOSSUK Annual General Meeting and Congress. This important session will include a strategic presentation on the organisation’s future direction and the official election of the new Delegates to the Council of the Swiss Abroad, who will also serve on the future FOSSUK Committee.

The AGM will also be streamed online for those unable to attend in person.

Confirmed speakers include Mrs Yvonne Rohner and Mr Michele Malizia from the FDFA, Mr Filippo Lombardi, President of the Organisation of the Swiss Abroad, and Mr Lukas Weber, Director of the Organisation.

The programme also features an inspirational talk by Swiss Paralympic gold medallist Leo McCrea and will conclude with an aperitif kindly offered by HE Ambassador Markus Leitnerand Madame Doris Leitner, with a musical performance by Swiss artist Nat Cartier.

In the evening, we will gather at St Moritz Restaurant for a traditional Swiss dinner hosted by Chef Armin Loetscher. You can register for the Saturday Congress and dinner here.

The weekend concludes on Sunday with a cultural outing to the Serpentine Galleries, guided by Swiss curator Jolanda Crettaz Chandler, who will lead guests through the exhibitions and the Summer Pavilion.

Please email info@newhelveticsociety.org.uk to express your interest in attending. 

Join us for this thought-provoking panel discussion on Community, Ageing and Living Abroad, spotlighting personal stories and the challenges faced by Swiss citizens living beyond Switzerland’s borders.

We are honoured to welcome Ann Amann as our guest speaker, who will share her lived experience and insights.

Guests will also have the chance to admire an art exhibition by Swiss artist Karin Lanini Arthofer, followed by a drinks reception and informal networking in the elegant setting of the Embassy’s Lecture Hall — with special guests from the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs.

Ageing and living abroad: the importance of community and care across boarders Discussion Panel

Register  attendance & Tickets (£11.55 per person): https://www.eventbrite.com/e/ageing-living-abroad-the-importance-of-community-care-across-boarders-tickets-1356300895489?aff=oddtdtcreator

Join the Southern Area Swiss Club for Skittles, followed by lunch at the Frog & Wicket in Eversley.

Do come along for the social side even if you can’t or don’t want to play skittles.
We would love to have your company.

More information and to join, visit the Southern Area Swiss Club website > 

FOSSUK AGM & Congress 

The full programme detail of the Congress and Cultural Weekend can be downloaded on the AGM page >

Get to know the artists and speaker here >

13:30                Doors Opening - Registration

14:00                Welcome Speeches

14:10                FOSSUK AGM which includes elections of CSA Delegates and presentation of
‘The new way forward’. 

15.30                Coffee Break 

During the coffee break, guests will have the opportunity to meet Karin Lanini-Arthofer, who will be available to discuss her artwork, which will be on display in the Lecture Hall of the Embassy

15:45                Speeches by our distinguished guests from Switzerland

Mrs Yvonne Rohner, Head of Division Consular Protection and 

Mr Michele Malizia from the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs

Mr Filippo Lombardi, President of the Organisation of the Swiss Abroad 

Mr Lukas Weber, Director of the Organisation of the Swiss 

FOSSUK AGM & Congress – Cultural Programme

16.45                The inspirational life of a Swiss Paralympian in the UK, meet gold winner Leo McCrea

17.30                Aperitif kindly offered by HE Ambassador Markus Leitner and Madame Doris Leitner and entertainment by Swiss artist Nat Cartier 

18:30                End of Congress

The AGM will also be streamed online via Zoom. To join please click on the link https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/ydkF_TbaQUSm-J5Fy9a_xA

For those that cannot participate, the AGM and Speeches will be recorded and available at a later stage online. 

19:30-22:30      St Moritz Restaurant, 159 Wardour Street, London W1F 8WH

Traditional Swiss Dinner 

Join us for a traditional dinner at the St.Moritz, London's oldest Swiss restaurant. Genuine traditional Swiss cuisine prepared and served under the auspices of the renowned proprietor and chef Armin Loetscher. 

Link to Register: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/congress-of-the-swiss-in-the-uk-tickets-1360840082319?aff=oddtdtcreator

New Helvtic Society's next collaboration with Jolanda Crettaz Chandler: a curated art walk and tour of the Serpentine Galleries from 11.30 to 13.00 on Sunday 8 June, will be just as interesting and insightful. 

As part of the cultural programme for the 2025 Annual Congress of the Swiss in the UK, this special event will introduce participants to the Serpentine galleries’ rich history and the work of its renowned Swiss curator, Hans-Ulrich Obrist.

We will visit Arpita Singh’s exhibition at Serpentine North before heading to Serpentine South to explore the thought-provoking works of Giuseppe Penone, concluding with a viewing of the Summer Pavilion.

The tour will last approximately one hour, with an optional coffee gathering at the Serpentine Lido Café afterward. Spaces are extremely limited, so early registration is essential!

Please email info@newhelveticsociety.co.uk to reserve your place.

Find out more about becoming a New Helvetic Society member today. 

The next webinar in the series tailored to the Swiss living abroad is on June 17, 2025 with the topic Civil status.

German: 12h00 (Swiss time) French: 14h00 (Swiss time)

The Consular Directorate of the FDFA, the Organization of the Swiss Abroad (OSA), SwissCommunity and Soliswiss are pleased to invite you to the first webinar of this year.

We invite you to the first webinar of this year, on June 17th, 2025, on the topic “Civil status: through the life cycle with consular services.” The webinar will take place at 12:00 noon Swiss time in German and at 2:00 p.m. Swiss time in French. It will last approximately 60 minutes. Participation is free of charge.

We would like to take this opportunity to inform you that further webinars will be held in 2025.

Are you Swiss abroad and planning to get married soon? Are you expecting a child? Is a relative abroad dying? Our webinar will show you what to look out for in these situations, what challenges need to be overcome and where you can find the information you need.

Topics

What are the tasks of Swiss representations abroad? Where can I find the information I need to register a civil status case? Why does the procedure seem complicated to me? Why does it take so long, for example, for the birth of my child to be entered in the registers of my home municipality in Switzerland? What steps do I need to take to prepare for a marriage? What route do the civil status documents take until they arrive in the registers of my home municipality in Switzerland? What happens if I am not registered anywhere, do not register the marriage, my child or the death of a relative?

Speakers

Experts from the Consular Directorate of the FDFA, the Organization of the Swiss Abroad (OSA), SwissCommunity, Soliswiss and the Federal Office for Civil Status will provide input and answer your questions. The webinar will be recorded and will be available to watch on the FDFA, OSA, SwissCommunity and Soliswiss websites after June 17th, 2025. If you have any questions about the webinar, please send an e-mail to webinar@eda.admin.ch
 

We look forward to your participation!

Full detail and previous webinars can be found on the SwissCommunity.org website's dedicate webinars https://www.swisscommunity.org/en/offers-events/webinars page.

Upcoming webinars;

September 16, 2025
Taxes/finances

November 4, 2025
Political rights

We will be organising viewing parties for the first three games in early July.

UEFA European Women’s Championship Match Screenings | 2 to 27 July 2025

 Register your interest now to stay updated.

Save the date!

We will be holding our Annual General Meeting at Swiss Church London on the 6th of July 2025. 

We will be voting to re-associate wih the EKS, with official acceptance scheduled at the Synod in Bern on 4 November. 

Find out more by contacting info@swisschurchlondon.org.uk

New Helvetic Society are working on a tasty collaboration with Alpine Wines – details coming soon. 

Exclusive Swiss Wine Tasting | Tuesday 8 July 2025, afterwork.

Embassy of Switzerland, W1H 2BQ London

Keep an eye out for our newsletter and on our Facebook Group for more details and how to RSVP.