The lecture was held at the invitation of Dr. Tsubasa Shinohara, who is teaching a course on Swiss law this semester. Political Officer Lea Gerster first touched upon the bilateral ties between Switzerland and Japan, which are particularly strong in the fields of research and academia. She then followed with the introduction of core principles of Switzerland’s political systems: federalism and direct democracy.

Students were introduced to the basic ideas and historical developement of the Swiss political system; how it was created to unify a country that lacked a common language and religious confession. The principle of “subsidiarity” was highlighted, where the greatest possible autonomy is granted to the local levels of government, and learned just how influential the Swiss Cantons are in the country’s governance. The lecture also covered the composition and role of Switzerland’s National, State, and Federal Council as well as the difference between an initiative and a referendum. Key initiatives in Swiss political history, such as the introduction of women’s suffrage and the Switzerland’s accession to the United Nations, were presented to illustrate the practical application of citizen participation. The students engaged actively, asking a variety of questions, ranging from gender equality to sports.

The international promotion of democracy is enshrined in the Swiss constitution and part of Switzerland’s foreign policy goals. Through this exchange with students and young voters, the Embassy highlighted how much value Switzerland attaches to its democratic institutions and public participation in political processes is important for citizen’s empowerment and trust in government.

The Embassy expresses its gratitude to Dr. Tsubasa Shinohara and to the University of Tsukuba for the invitation, as well as the students for their active participation and interest.