Intercultural journey through Switzerland: "What does Switzerland Contribute to the Solution of Global Challenges?!"

- Organized in collaboration with IFIL.ch & YouthRep

As an introduction to the Summit, 20 international participants (non-Swiss residents), will be offered a trip through Switzerland from October 13th to 16th. During these three days, you will among other things get the opportunity to discuss politics with Swiss decision makers and to learn about Switzerland’s foreign policy during a briefing at the Swiss Department of Foreign Affairs in Bern, to visit the Red Cross and United Nations in Geneva, as well as to see some beautiful sights on the way.   During those encounters we will try to inquire  “What does Switzerland contribute to the solution of global challenges?”

This question automatically raises further questions such as: Where do Swiss identify global challenges? What concrete action do they take to act on those issues? Where might be the limits of such interventions? What are the roles of Swiss NGO’s? In what sense does the Swiss political system encourage and enable action on global challenges from its citizens?...  

In addition to the informational and touristy aspects, this trip also aims at introducing international participants that are potentially interested in building up a EUforIA group in their country to EUforIA’s concept and team. In different working sessions we will explain our work to you, show you ways in which you can get involved in organizing such great events as the EYS’08 and assume important responsibilities, and try to get to know you in a relaxed atmosphere.

This trip is organized in collaboration with IFIL.ch, the Initiative for Intercultural Learning, a Swiss based student association aiming at fostering dialogue beyond cultural borders, & YouthRep, an initiative of the Swiss National Youth Council (SNYC) to allow young Swiss to learn about the UN and go to the UN General Assembly as official member of the Swiss delegation.

Thanks to the generous support from Presence Suisse (Swiss Department of Foreign Affairs) we wil be able to cover all your expenses for accommodation, transport, food (breakfast, lunch, dinner) as well as for the social program!!! We hope that is but an additional incentive for you to join us on the trip to discover Switzerland and get involved with EUforIA.