The Cameroonian delegation's visit is part of a pilot project for cooperation between Switzerland and Cameroon which is the result of interdepartmental cooperation between the Federal Delegate for Plurilingualism, the Swiss Embassy in Cameroon and the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA). This mission, as part of the bilateral relations between the two countries, aims to promote rights and social cohesion between the French-speaking and English-speaking linguistic communities in Cameroon, the development of public policies for the minorities and national dialogue on these issues. It follows a working visit to Cameroon by Nicoletta Mariolini, Federal Delegate for Plurilingualism, in January 2018.
The Cameroonian delegation's programme includes two courtesy visits: one to Ueli Maurer, Vice President of the Confederation and Head of the Federal Department of Finance (FDF) and one to Ignazio Cassis, Head of the FDFA. It will be possible to discuss issues such as the situation in the English-speaking regions of Cameroon, one of the reasons for the Commission's visit to Switzerland, during these meetings.
The Commission will visit Bern and Italian-speaking Switzerland in order to closer examine aspects linked to the governance of linguistic communities and minorities in Switzerland, in line with the Cameroonian authorities' wishes. The rest of the programme will allow the Commission to meet and exchange views with Swiss members of parliament and representatives of the Federal Criminal Court, the cantons of Bern and Ticino, the commune of Bellinzona, academic institutions (University of Fribourg and Geneva) and national media.
Further information:
FDF: Federal Delegate for Plurilingualism (de)
Address for enquiries:
Information FDFA
Bundeshaus West
CH-3003 Bern
Tel.: +41 58 462 31 53
Fax: +41 58 464 90 47
E-Mail: info@eda.admin.ch
Communications FDF
Tel.: +41 58 462 60 33
E-Mail: info@gs-efd.admin.ch
