Switzerland the 190th state member

Welcome to the United Nations

Interview by Seble Demeke, UNOG.

Interview with Mrs. Jacqueline Berenstein-Wavre, co-President of «The Association of Swiss and International civil servants of Geneva (ASIG), representing the Swiss community, in particular those of the Canton of Geneva.

 Mrs. Berenstein-Wavre, was a Socialist deputy at the Grand Conseil for 16 years. She was the president in 1989. Before assuming this responsibility at the Grand Conseil, she was conseillére of the Conseil municipality of the city of Geneva for 5 years. Mrs. Berenstein-Wavre has defended the causes of women during all her professional life. She was the president of the “Alliance des Sociétés femmes suisses” from 1975 to 1980.

UNS: On behalf of the UN Special , I would like to thank you for accepting to be interviewed in spite of your busy schedule. I would start my question by welcoming you to the United Nations. Switzerland is now the 190th Member, being able to participate in important decisions being taken by the World Community concerning the well being of humanity in today’s globalised world. Those days of an observer status with no possibilities of voicing your views are over. How do you feel about this new development?

J.B.-W.: This change of status from observer to full membership presents a lot more for us the Swiss people than it does for the United Nations.

On March 3, 2002, the Canton of Geneva came out being the strongest sup- porter and said “YES” to Switzerland’s Membership to the United Nations compared to the last election-when at that time the Canton of Geneva was the weakest supporter. What do you think had contributed to this significant change of attitude towards the United Nations? 
The fact of globalisation has sensitized the Swiss to the need to open towards the rest of the world.

What is ASIG’s contribution to this historical achievement? 
It is the small drop of water that fills the lake.

As a Co-president of ASIG, how do you assess your personal contribution? 
Through the means of different meetings and conferences we have tried to make the Genevoise be aware of the action of ASIG, which is to motivate all those who would like to communicate their values by meeting the spirit of Geneva and the ideals of the international organisations.

What is the next goal for ASIG?
The future objective of ASIG is to develop the actions mentioned above.

Are there other organisations which have given support to the effort of the government for the integration of Switzerland to the United Nations? 
There are other organisations which gave support to the “YES” vote, in particular the association known as “Swiss-United Nations”.

Could you explain briefly the origin and the meaning of “Swiss Neutrality”? 
Since the Congress of Vienna in 1815, the concept of neutrality has evolved. It is incorporated in the Federal Constitution in 1848. Since then the inter- national situation has completely changed and the notion of neutrality had evolved.

Could we now assume that the 1,484,818 Swiss people who supported the government and voted “YES” are fully convinced that being part of the United Nations does not compromise the neutrality of their country?
Yes.

The final outcome of the vote was 55 percent in favour and 45 percent against. What kind of advice do you give to those who still have not come to terms with the fact that their representatives could now vote on their behalf concerning crucial issues which are close to their daily lives such as trade, disarmament, environment, natural disaster and peace-keeping? (The Swiss Constitution calls upon God and countries in its preamble to maintain the peace and tranquillity to which its people so dearly aspire. The same theme is repeated in the Swiss Nation- al anthem.) 
I hope that the new pattern of our diplomacy through developing the policies of good offices could convince the 45 percent “NO” of the advantage of our adhesion.

What would you propose as an device? 
It is not because we have won that we should show contempt or ignore those who have voted “NO”. The true democracy respects all minorities

I thank you very much for this interesting interview.

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ASIG was established on 7 March 1996 with the aim of strengthening the communication and integration of the Swiss population and the international community living and working in the city of Geneva.

Petit histoire de l’ASIG

Hommage tout d’abord à deux précurseurs: Mme Monique Bauer-Lagier (anc. Conseillère d’Etat du Canton de Genève) et M. Sergio Chaves (traducteur et écrivain) qui sont tous les deux à l’origine de ce qui deviendra par la suite l’ASIG, toujours avec cette volonté de faire se rencontrer dans la convivialité les Internationaux et les Suisses.

Initiative des Internationaux

Il faut relever que pour la première fois, c’est à l’initiative des Internationaux qu’est née la volonté de création d’un tel rapprochement entre les deux communautés. Elle est née de l’idée généreuse de M. Sergio Chaves soutenue à l’ONUG par Cécilia Bruna alors Présidente de la Commission socio-culturelle.

Les discussions se concrétisent...

Suite aux réunions informelles voici quelques projets qui se sont concrétisés:

- création d’une nouvelle ligne de bus desservant aujourd’hui le Palais, après que des responsables des TPG, invités à l’Assemblée générale, furent informés de carences en la matière.

- invitation des internationaux à assister à des séances du Grand conseil à Genève pour se familiariser avec la pratique de la démocratie directe.

- aide aux nouveaux fonctionnaires internationaux venant s’établir à Genève. La création du Centre d’accueil des internationaux à la Pastorale, a été réalisée après que l’Etat de Genève eut pris conscience de cette nécessité, soulevée, entre autre, par l’Association.

- organisation de manifestations culturelles ou se rencontrent régulièrement suisses et internationaux: Fête du 1er août, Fête du feuillu, Fête de l’Escalade. Et on se souvient aussi au Palais des Nations de semaines culturelle africaine et du Festival latino-américain avec la participation d’Ex-Tempore, du Fonds 1% pour le développement, de l’exposition «Manu» du Musée d’ethnographie sous l’égide de la Mission du Pérou, avec aussi l’association Education et Libération.

Membres fondateurs de l’ASIG

(Association Suisses et Internationaux de Genève) fondée au Palais le 7 mars 1996.

Mme Jacqueline Berenstein-Wavre Députée socialiste au Grand-Conseil, puis Présidente.

Mme Jeanne Blanchet Enseignante.

M. Claude Citon Ancien Rédacteur en chef d’UN Special.

M. Pierre Jourdan Directeur de Publi Com, sté multimédia.

Dr. Martin Sigam Médecin généraliste, chirurgien.

M. Alfredo de Zayas Fonctionnaire international, enseignant.

Pour tout renseignement sur les activités de l’ASIG: veuillez contacter le co- Président au N° 022 788 22 31.