Who is FOSSUK & What does it do?
What do we do?
The FOSSUK Committee promote communication between Swiss Clubs and Societies in the UK, and the wider community of Swiss living and working in the UK. The Commitee works closely with the Swiss Embassy London to ensure information flow between Swiss Clubs across the UK between the official representation and Clubs.
FOSSUK uses this website as the portal for information for Swiss living in the UK with regard to events, news and OSA activities as put forward and reported back on by the CSA UK Delegates. Keep an eye on the Swiss Community Events Calendar - the only single source of all events across the UK that is either organised by Swiss clubs and organisations or have a natural Swiss connection - from finance, to education, to politics, to policy to arts and culture.
We organise an Annual Congress (AGM) & Cultural Weekend, which is held in London one year, and in another UK location the next. FOSSUK Members vote on relevant matters affecting Clubs and Societies at the AGM. The AGM is planned around cultural activities and a weekend exploring Swiss links and interesting cultural spaces in various locations as well as being very social with old friends and colleagues having an opportunity to engage with one another. The AGM usually includes and update from the Swiss Ambassador to the UK, and talks by Swiss Representatives of the FDFA and the Organisation of the Swiss Abroad.
Every year, a new initiative, a FORUM is initiated by FOSSUK and supported by other Swiss Clubs. The Forum brings speakers on a variety of subjects that are of interest to Swiss living in the UK. Past Forums have included talks on Pensions, Brexit (of course!),
Other initiatives include an Annual Round Table of Club Presidents and FOSSUK to plan events and initiatives and find ways to engage with the Swiss Community.
From 20 April - 20 May 2021 we conducted a UK-wide survey to help the commitee and newly elected UK CSA Delegates set priorities for the next term as identified by the Swiss Community living and working in the UK.
In 2019, UK Delegate Nathalie Chuard, initiated the first ever Jungburgerfeier (supported by Ambassador Fasel and Consul General) which was held in July at the Swiss Embassy London with a surprise guest appearance by Swiss shooting Star Bastian Baker. The next Jungburgerfeier for young Swiss turning 18 will take place in 2021.
FOSSUK also plans and oversees the 4-yearly election of the 5 UK Delegates to the Council of the Swiss Abroad (CSA) - the UK Swiss' representation on views, issues and policies affecting the Swiss who live and work in the UK. The current term is 2021 - 2025.
Keep up to date with our Delegates Reports from the annual OSA Congress and meeting.
The editor of the Swiss Review UK Regional Edition, Gioia Palmieri also sits on the FOSSUK Committee, and we work closely with one another to promote events, initiatives and content to our social channels:
Facebook: @UKSwiss
Twitter: @FOSSUK
An Umbrella Organisation
The Federation of Swiss Societies in the United Kingdom, simply known as FOSSUK, is a voluntary, non-profit making, non-party political Organisation of a co-coordinating and interactive nature.
Originally constituted in London in 1949 as "The Presidents' Assembly" it was later renamed "Federation of Swiss Societies in the United Kingdom" (FOSSUK) at the Annual General Meeting of 5th October 1965.
FOSSUK and its constituent Societies, Clubs and Institutions, henceforth called Corporate Members, fall within the general guidelines of the Bern-based Organisation of the Swiss Abroad (OSA).
FOSSUK's aims:
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To promote the common interests of Corporate members, whilst fully recognising their individuality, independence and characteristics
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To encourage the exchange of information, experience and ideas between Corporate Members
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To inform about events, news and legislations of interest to Swiss citizens residing in the UK through Regional Pages (Switzerland in the UK) of the Swiss Review, FOSSUK Newsletters and Website
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To guide Corporate Members, on organisational and administrative matters, if so requested
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To actively seek, encourage and assist in the formation of new Swiss Groups
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To ensure the regular publication of the "Switzerland in the UK" pages in the Swiss Review
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To support the aims and objectives of the Organisation of the Swiss Abroad in Berne and co-operate in the development of their services
The Organisation
FOSSUK is governed on a voluntary basis by a Committee of up to 9 officers and members, elected every two years by delegates representing Corporate Members at the Annual General Meeting.
Ex-officio members are the 3 Delegates and 2 Deputy-delegates as voted on by the Swiss in the UK every 4 years deemed to represent the Swiss Community in the UK on the Council of the Swiss Abroad (CSA) in Bern.
Adopted at the AGM on the 18th of May 2019 by our Members, the current FOSSUK Constitution can be downloaded below:
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Honorary President: |
The Ambassador of Switzerland to the UK |
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Honorary Vice-President: |
Vacant |
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Swiss Embassy: |
Thomas Wagner, Consul General |
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Swiss Review UK Pages: |
Editor: Gioia Palmieri |
UK Delegates to the Council of the
Organisation of the Swiss Abroad (CSA):
2021 - 2025 term:
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Andreas Feller-Ryf
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Michelle Hufschmid*
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Loredana Guetg-Wyatt
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Franz Muheim
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Lakshmi Sundaram
Read the UK Delegates profiles here >
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Officers: |
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President: |
Loredana Guetg-Wyatt |
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Vice-President: |
Joelle Nebbe-Mornod |
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Secretary: |
Joelle Nebbe-Mornod |
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Treasurer: |
Lakshmi Sundaram |
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Committee: |
Franz Muheim, Gioia Palmieri, Ané-Mari Peter and Lakshmi Sundaram. |
Other Worldwide Swiss Federations
Federation of Swiss Societies in Germany
www.aso-deutschland.de
Federation of Swiss Societies in Italy
www.collegamentosvizzero.it
Pro Ticino
www.proticino.ch
Swiss Community Portal & Societies Abroad
www.swisscommunity.org
