Organization of the Swiss Abroad

The Organization of the Swiss Abroad (OSA) was founded in 1916 by the New Helvetic Society and looks after more than 750 Swiss associations and Swiss institutions around the world. In 1989 it was given its own legal personality in the form of a foundation . OSA is recognized by the authorities as a representative of the “ Fifth Switzerland ”. Its highest body and at the same time the “Parliament of the Fifth Switzerland” is the Council of the Swiss Abroad with around 150 members. The OSA secretariat is the executive body of the organization.

Related organizations

There are some related organizations under the umbrella of the ASO:

The Foundation for Young Swiss Abroad (SJAS)
educationsuisse

activities

With around 24 employees, OSA provides a wide range of services for around 732,000 Swiss abroad. This includes in particular advice and information on legal and practical questions in connection with emigration, stays abroad and return migration. There are also offers for children and young people, training advice for young Swiss abroad who want to train in Switzerland , and the coordination of Swiss schools abroad.

The main event is the annual Congress of the Swiss Abroad. The traditional “Fifth Switzerland” rendezvous with home takes place every year at a different location in Switzerland and deals with topics that change every year.

Foundation media

OSA publishes Swiss Review , which is distributed free of charge in five languages, around 20 regional editions and a circulation of 380,000 copies to all Swiss abroad registered with a Swiss representation. The Swiss Review is published six times a year.
OSA sends an online newsletter to all Swiss associations and Swiss institutions abroad and to all interested Swiss abroad six times a year.
The roughly 80 members of the parliamentary group “Swiss Abroad” - national and state councils - are also informed by OSA about the Swiss abroad six times a year .
The website www.aso.ch is the most important source of information alongside Swiss Review . It is used by around 60,000 visitors a month.
The social network platform SwissCommunity.org , founded by OSA, offers Swiss people living abroad the opportunity to network with one another and maintain a close connection to Switzerland.