The sponsorship of Switzerland's upcoming Federal Youth Session by assisted suicide organizations Exit and Dignitas has ignited a political debate in Bern. The annual event, which allows 200 young people to engage in political discourse at the Federal Palace, will feature assisted suicide as a key topic for discussion, raising questions about the appropriateness of the partnership.
Key Takeaways
- Assisted suicide organizations Exit and Dignitas are official sponsors of the 2025 Federal Youth Session.
- The event brings 200 young Swiss citizens to the Federal Palace to debate national issues.
- Debates on assisted suicide are on the official agenda, a topic chosen by the youth participants themselves.
- The sponsorship has created a sharp divide among Swiss politicians, with some calling it inappropriate and others defending it as realistic.
- Organizers state the goal is to foster political participation on all topics, including complex ethical ones.
Annual Youth Parliament Faces Sponsorship Controversy
Each year, the Federal Palace in Bern opens its doors to 200 young people from across Switzerland for the Federal Youth Session. Scheduled for November 6th to 9th, the event provides a platform for individuals aged 14 to 21 to step into the roles of national parliamentarians, debate pressing issues, and formulate political demands.
The event is organized by young volunteers from the Swiss National Council of Youth Associations (SAJV). It relies on a wide range of sponsors, including several federal agencies like the Federal Office for Cybersecurity and the State Secretariat for Migration.
However, the inclusion of two specific names on the list of main sponsors for the 2025 session has drawn significant attention. Exit and Dignitas, Switzerland's best-known assisted suicide organizations, are providing financial support, a move that has sparked considerable debate among national politicians.
What is the Federal Youth Session?
The Federal Youth Session is a four-day political event held annually in Switzerland. It simulates the workings of the Swiss Parliament, allowing young citizens to experience the legislative process firsthand. Participants discuss topics of their choice in working groups, draft proposals, and vote on them in a plenary session held in the National Council chamber. The resulting demands are then formally submitted to the actual Parliament.
Assisted Suicide on the Agenda
The controversy is amplified by the session's official agenda. Alongside topics such as equal opportunity, freedom of movement, and neutrality, the young participants will also engage in debates about assisted suicide. This alignment of a debate topic with the mission of its sponsors has raised ethical questions.
The SAJV clarifies that the topics are not influenced by sponsors. Aina Waeber, head of communications for the SAJV, explained the selection process. "The choice of topics for the Youth Session is made by the young people themselves," she stated. Waeber suggests that increased media coverage of end-of-life issues may have prompted a desire among youth to explore the subject in greater depth.
Exit promotes its mission on its website as advocating for "personal responsibility in the final phase of life." The organization's involvement in a youth-focused event is unusual, as its services are typically associated with older individuals or those with terminal illnesses.
Event Details at a Glance
- What: Swiss Federal Youth Session 2025
- When: November 6-9
- Where: Federal Palace, Bern
- Who: 200 participants aged 14-21
- Organizer: Swiss National Council of Youth Associations (SAJV)
A Divided Political Response
The sponsorship has created a clear divide among Swiss politicians. Some view it as an inappropriate use of a platform for young people, while others see it as a valuable opportunity for real-world discussion.
Opposition Cites Ethical Concerns
Christian Lohr, a National Councillor for The Centre party from Thurgau, expressed strong disapproval of the partnership.
"I consistently reject this. I do not think the Youth Session should be misused for the presentation of assisted suicide organizations."
Lohr's primary concerns are ethical. He believes the focus for young people should be on building a future. "Especially for young people, perspectives for life should be shown, and they should be supported in shaping their wishes and ideas," he argued.
Support for a 'Realistic' Debate
In contrast, Vroni Thalmann-Bieri, a National Councillor for the Swiss People's Party (SVP) from Lucerne, finds the sponsorship acceptable and even beneficial.
"I find this realistic," she commented. "This can also provide material for discussion—which is precisely the purpose of the Youth Session." Thalmann-Bieri does not view the presence of Exit and Dignitas as problematic.
"I see no potential for conflict here, but rather a good lesson for life. Death is part of life, and that begins at birth."
She believes that engaging with difficult subjects is a crucial part of political education and that avoiding them would be a disservice to the young participants.
Organizers Defend Partnership and Youth Maturity
The SAJV stands by its decision to partner with Exit and Dignitas, emphasizing the core mission of the Youth Session.
"The purpose of the Youth Session is to support the participation of young people," said Aina Waeber. She stressed that this includes topics that involve difficult ethical questions. The organization has confidence in the participants' ability to handle the subject matter with the necessary seriousness.
Waeber added, "From many years of experience, we know that young people are quite capable of conducting such discussions in a professional and analytical manner, usually less polemically than Parliament and without hidden self-interests."
The broader societal debate around assisted suicide often centers on the tension between individual freedom and collective responsibility. The discussions at the Youth Session in November will provide a unique insight into how the next generation of Swiss citizens approaches this complex issue. The outcome of their debates will be watched closely by politicians on both sides of the argument.