Welcome

Founded in the 1930s, the Swiss National Youth Council (SAJV/CSAJ) is now established as the umbrella organization for around 60 youth organizations in Switzerland, representing more than 500,000 children and young people. The SAJV's main goal is to serve as a spokesperson for the interests of Swiss youth on a political and public level. To achieve this goal, the SAJV initiates and develops various projects in its central areas of Youth engagement, our future, and inclusion. SAJV also coordinates the Climate Youth Delegate programme.

The task of the Swiss Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA) is to safeguard Switzerland's interests abroad and in its relations with foreign countries. Currently, the head of the FDFA is Federal Councillor and Minister of Foreign Affairs is Ignazio Cassis. In international UN conferences, in coordination with the Swiss Missions to the UN, we are allowed to make statements on behalf of youth in Switzerland.

The task of the Federal Office of the Environment (FOEN) is to ensure the sustainable use of national resources, the protection against natural hazards and the conservation of biodiversity. The FOEN is also responsible for international environmental policy. Currently, the head of the FOEN is Federal Councillor Albert Rösti. In UN Climate Change Conferences, we bring the voice of Swiss youth into the Swiss negotiating delegation.

Youth participation in decision-making is one of the key areas highlighted within the UN agenda on youth. This emphasis on youth involvement is why it has become increasingly common for countries to appoint youth delegates to participate in conferences such as the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) and the functional commissions of the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC). Most activities involving youth delegates are coordinated by the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UN-DESA).