Interviews, Videos & Guest ArticlesPublished on 1 September 2026
Listening to Swiss Citizens in Canada
Interview with Marianne Jenni, Director of the Consular Directorate of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA)
On the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the Swiss National Day celebrations organized by FEDE at Mont Sutton, Marianne Jenni, Director of the Consular Directorate of the Swiss Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA), visited Canada to meet with members of the Swiss community.
In this interview, she shares her impressions of the visit, highlights the remarkable commitment of Swiss associations and volunteers, and discusses current challenges as well as ongoing developments in services for Swiss citizens living abroad.
Every year, Sutton hosts the largest Swiss National Day celebration outside Switzerland. This year, the event also marked its 50th anniversary. I did not want to miss this unique opportunity to finally experience this wonderful celebration and meet the many dedicated people who bring it to life. I must say that it not only met my expectations, but far exceeded them.
I was impressed by the quality of the organization and the wide range of activities on offer. From excellent raclette cheese and delicious sausages to what were probably the best vanilla ice cream cones I have ever tasted, there was truly something for everyone. The program also featured musical performances, numerous activities for children and a chairlift ride up beautiful Mount Sutton.
The highlight of the day was undoubtedly the closing ceremony: the bonfire, accompanied by alphorn players, bell ringers and children parading with their lanterns. It was both a moving and unforgettable moment that brought a little piece of Switzerland to the heart of Quebec.
I would like to extend my warmest congratulations and heartfelt thanks to the organizers and the many volunteers. Without their remarkable work, dedication and commitment, such a celebration simply would not be possible. Sustaining this achievement for 50 years deserves our utmost admiration. My sincere congratulations to everyone involved.
Swiss culture, languages and traditions continue to be cherished and passed on with pride, even by people who have lived in Canada for decades and are fully integrated into their host country.
I had the pleasure of meeting several compatriots who attended the very first celebration in Sutton 50 years ago. I also had the opportunity to speak with one of our citizens who is nearing his hundredth birthday and enthusiastically took to the dance floor. Moments like these are particularly moving and inspiring.
I was also deeply impressed by the strong attachment that the community maintains to Switzerland. This attachment is reflected in the exceptional commitment of our fellow citizens, who actively contribute to community life and help pass on Swiss culture, traditions and a sense of belonging. Their engagement is especially valuable for younger generations, who often discover their country of origin primarily through family visits and holidays.
It is equally encouraging to see that cooperation with the Consulate General of Switzerland in Montreal is excellent and that the services it provides are highly appreciated. The many testimonials I heard demonstrate the essential role the Consulate plays in maintaining ties between Switzerland and its citizens living in Canada.
The mandate entrusted to us by Parliament through the Swiss Abroad Act has three dimensions: representing the interests of Swiss citizens abroad, ensuring that they are informed and connected, and providing appropriate consular services.
Meeting members of our communities is therefore essential in order to understand their realities, identify potential challenges and listen to their concerns, expectations and questions.
Conversely, these encounters provide an opportunity to explain the work carried out in Bern, outline the legal framework within which we operate and highlight the Confederation's commitment to Swiss citizens living abroad.
Just as the Confederation and the Organisation of the Swiss Abroad play an important role, local associations are a cornerstone in strengthening the ties that connect Swiss citizens abroad both to one another and to Switzerland itself. It is worth noting that this objective is explicitly reflected in the Swiss Federal Constitution.
For obvious practical and geographical reasons, local associations make a direct and irreplaceable contribution to maintaining these ties at the community level.
The Consular Directorate is one of the five directorates of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA). It is difficult to describe a single mission because our activities cover a very broad range of responsibilities.
This diversity is reflected in the variety of audiences we serve: Swiss citizens travelling abroad, foreign nationals applying for visas, our embassies and consulates, and, of course, Swiss citizens living abroad.
Our work encompasses several areas:
We ensure that consular services are efficient and meet the needs of the people we serve while fully respecting legal requirements. This involves developing effective procedures and providing modern tools and systems.
We advocate for the interests of Swiss citizens abroad within Swiss institutions.
Another key responsibility is providing consular protection to individuals who find themselves in situations of distress abroad. This work is governed by the Swiss Abroad Act and is based in particular on the principles of individual responsibility and subsidiarity.
We are also actively involved in prevention efforts aimed at supporting both travellers and Swiss citizens living abroad. The goal is to reduce situations in which government intervention becomes necessary.
When a political, security-related or natural crisis occurs abroad and affects Swiss citizens or Swiss interests, we coordinate the response in close cooperation with Swiss representations and other competent federal authorities.
Finally, a less visible but equally important aspect of our mandate is ensuring the safety and security of our staff abroad so that they can carry out their work under the best possible conditions.
One long-standing challenge, which will undoubtedly remain with us, is the fact that Swiss citizens are registered in virtually every country in the world. This global presence continues to expand steadily. The fact that the population of Swiss citizens abroad has grown by one-third in a single generation clearly illustrates this trend.
We must therefore ensure that our services are available worldwide. One important avenue is the digitalization of services. At the same time, because we want to maintain a strong local presence, one of our current challenges is finding the right balance between in-person and digital services.
Beyond service delivery, the current global political and security instability, combined with the increasing frequency of natural disasters, means that we are more regularly and actively involved in managing crises affecting Swiss communities abroad.
The need for support is also evident at an individual level. For example, the Swiss abroad population is ageing, with nearly one in four Swiss citizens abroad now over the age of 65.
To help reduce the need for assistance, we are investing heavily in prevention. This includes providing targeted information on major destination countries for emigrants, as well as specific initiatives such as our “Ageing Abroad” campaign for seniors and our new “Young Swiss Abroad” project.
As mentioned earlier, we are actively developing digital services. A new online portal will be launched next year for Swiss citizens abroad, providing access to a broader range of services.
Digital channels are also playing an increasingly important role in communication. For example, our SwissInTouch application gives users access to useful information and allows them to receive communications from the FDFA in Bern as well as from the relevant Swiss representations abroad.
We are also working extensively in the areas of prevention and information to ensure that stays abroad take place under the best possible conditions. One example is the webinars we organize three times a year with our partners at the Organisation of the Swiss Abroad and Soliswiss, covering topics that directly affect internationally mobile individuals.
My first piece of advice would be to stay curious and stay connected to Switzerland. Today, there are many ways to keep up with developments in Switzerland and maintain close ties with our country, whether through SwissInTouch, the Swiss Review, SWI swissinfo.ch or the various communication channels offered by Swiss representations abroad.
However, digital tools cannot replace human connections. That is why I strongly encourage Swiss citizens in Canada to become involved in Swiss clubs, associations and community activities. These exchanges, shared traditions and moments of conviviality are what keep Switzerland alive far beyond its borders.
And if existing structures no longer meet the expectations of younger generations, people should not hesitate to innovate, launch new initiatives or even establish new associations. The Swiss community abroad has always drawn its strength from the commitment of its members. It is up to each of us to nurture these ties and pass them on to future generations.