At the annual congress of the jungfreisinnige schweiz jfs (Young Liberals of Switzerland) a new executive committee was elected and the bylaws were adapted for a merger with the Youth sections of the LPS, the second, much smaller liberal party of Switzerland besides our mother party FDP. The congress was opened with a welcome message of Ignazio Cassis, MP of the FDP (TI). After the formal part of the congress a panel discussion on the topic "English, official national language of Switzerland?" took place which dealt with the delicate language education and policies in our country.

The annual congress of the jungfreisinnige schweiz jfs was opened by Ignazio Cassis, MP of the (TI), Lena Schneller, president of the jfs as well as Krizia Genini, president of the jfs ticino branch. At the congress a new executive committee was elected. Lena Schneller (ZH) was unanimously re-elected as president, as the two vice-presidents Adrian Michel (TG) and Philippe Nantermod (VS) were confirmed in their office. Likewise Stefano Rizzi (TI), treasurer, was re-elected, as well as Juliette Hotz (BE) and Simon Berther (GR). Furthermore the congress elected Brenda Maeder (TG), Jenny Beeler (ZG) and Nicola Pini (TI) as new board members and Alain Schreiner (ZH) as new International Officer.

Particularly, the congress dealt with the forthcoming merger with the Youth section of the LPS (another liberal youth party established mainly in the french part of Switzerland). Thus the bylaws were altered as preparation for the merger, on which the jfs council of delegates will definitely decide on 12 April 2008. For a transition period of one year two representatives of the Young Liberals Switzerland will take a seat in the executive committee of the jungfreisinnige schweiz. The election of these two young liberals will take place on 12 April 2008 as well.

After the formal part of the congress a panel discussion under the provocative title "English, official national language of Switzerland?" took place. Under the direction of Stefano Rizzi and Nicola Pini Ignazio Cassis (MP), Gabriele Gendotti (member of the Cantonal government Ticino), Daniela Lepori (delegate of the jungfreisinnige ticino), Philippe Nantermod (vice-president of jungfreisinnige schweiz), Philip Kristensen (political secretary of the FDP Switzerland) as well as Patrizia Friedrich Pescetti (member of Helvetia Latina) held a discussion about the language diversity in Switzerland, the new proposed language law as well as linguistic communication difficulties in Switzerland. All agreed of course that English is not applicable as official national language in Switzerland. Rather they proposed that the language knowledge in the national languages has to be deepened.

contact:

Alain Schreiner, International Officer