today we all live in a globalised world and Swiss living abroad know well the meaning of globalisation. “Some of you will say: Switzerland is and remains my home. Others might say: ‘I have two homes -- the country in which I live and my country of origin, Switzerland’. What is clear is that everyone needs a home. And by that I mean a feeling of having roots, having an identity. In Switzerland, there is currently a heated debate about this identity. Some people claim Switzerland stands for independence, sovereignty and going it alone in Europe. For others, Switzerland is -- and always has been an open country connected to the rest of the world through clever alliances.”
Globalisation means change, and changes always raise questions and launch debates. However, one aspect on which almost all Swiss agree: our direct democracy is a unique political system and we identify with it. I am proud to be president of a country whose citizens have the most political power and responsibility. Direct democracy is a courageous system -- and that is one of the reasons why it fascinates me. She gave figures about recent voting on different issues and said only a quarter of Swiss who live abroad are registered to vote in Switzerland. “It would make me happy to see this figure increase over the coming weeks. Federal elections will be held in October. If you haven't already registered, you can do so in your embassy until mid-August.” She then gave information about the process and concluded with expressing warmest greetings from the cabinet and wishing 'a wonderful August the 1st -- wherever you are in the world.'
Since 1891, the first of August has been celebrated as Swiss National Day. The date refers to a historic alliance concluded in 1291 by the three cantons of Uri, Schwyz and Unterwalden. This alliance was to become the focal point around which the Switzerland of today was built over the next 500 years. Men from these three cantons at the beginning of the month of August 1291 swore eternal allegiance to one another, promising mutual help and assistance.