National Day of August 1, 2024: Speech by Christina Kitsos, mayor of the city of Geneva
Ladies, gentlemen,
On behalf of the authorities of the city of Geneva, I wish you a Cordial Welcome.
It is a joy to celebrate the national holiday with you on August 1. This date was officially chosen by the Federal Council in 1899 In order to unify the nation after the divisions linked to the Sonderbund war, the outcome of which led to the creation of the federal state of 1848.
Each year, August 1 is The opportunity to bring us together Around the values that found our country, to celebrate the contract which unites us, to collectively signify this identity construction and to assert our common values.
Compromise, cohabitation, balance, neutrality, are the recognized values of Switzerland, to which are gradually added equality, social and climate justice, as many conditions necessary for the cohesion of our country, which is founded, maintained and reinforced by this will of “living together”.
These are essential values to which Geneva is traditionally and strongly attachedand of which it is echoed all over the world, even if multilateralism and global governance from the Second World War are today called into question.
We are indeed going through a time marked by Many crises: health, social, geopolitical, migratory, climatic crises and undoubtedly also a link crisis.
Anxiety, anger, loneliness, withdrawal, resentment and the rise of extremes are palpable. The polarization of our societies, amplified by social networks and the increased virulence of the debates, must challenge us, question us and force us to remedy it.
Because these crises exacerbate inequalities.
Indeed, they are always the most fragile populationsthe most vulnerable, the most precarious, in our regions, and the poorest countries on the planet’s scale, which are most impacted by injustices.
The same goes in Geneva, one of the richest cities in the world.
The duty of memory should not make us forget these images of long girls of people waiting for hours to receive food packages worth 20 francs. This city in the city then became visible when thousands of people, the vast majority of women, undocumented, taking care of our children, our grandparents … and who participate in the prosperity of Geneva.
Today, how not to emphasize the Exorbitant cost of rents In Geneva, Annual increases in sickness insurance premiums Who bring the budgets of many families in chronic difficulties?
How not to see that they are again and again the women who pay the high price for AVS restructuring?
How not to realize that people who pollute the most are too often the wealthiest, those who the consequences of climatic crises the least?
How can we not admit that there is a form of denial, especially in our so -called developed countries, on the dramatic consequences of the overconsumption and leisure company and its climate impact, especially when we bring to the production of comfort products?
These crises intersect, multiply, worsen and increase, resulting in often tragic consequences on human rights.
Sir Volker TürkUnited Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights does us the honor of being present among us on August 1.
In the current international context, The word of Mr. Volker Türka committed, courageous and deeply attached man attached to peace, justice and dignity, appeared to us as an essential compass.
As you say, the High Commissioner, “human rights are the common language of humanity”.
Impossible to highlight human rights without talking about children’s rights.
How to forget the dramatic consequences of wars, malnutrition, migratory movements, family violence, lack of care and protection on children’s development?
This year we commemorate the Centenary of the Geneva Declarationa text written in 1924 by Eglantyne Jebbwhich largely inspired the United Nations Convention in 1989.
This womanof British origin who has ended his life in Geneva, is a pioneer. She leaves her native England, her protected environment and her profession as a teacher to browse Europe torn apart by wars and economic crises.
It crosses borders to help children.
She will quickly see that charitable works are insufficient to overcome misery.
Is that Eglantyne Jebb is also a Pioneer in matters of political conscience.
Its commitment is a concrete translation of the values of social justice and solidarity which animate it and its acute conscience that all children are equal, that a complete protection must be offered to them, as a full -fledged citizen, whatever their nationality, their religion, or their status.
They say it is during a Salève walk that she had the idea of a declaration devoting universal rights to children.
In 1924, as today, protection care and factors Established in favor of children have essential impacts on the children themselves, on families, and also on the whole of society.
Our country is a land of reception, openness and links.
I wish to enjoy My town hall year To nourish this reflection on what contributes to our feeling of belonging to our country, our city, what founds our social contract and strengthens our solidarities.
The national holiday is a highlight of social cohesion, a privileged moment to celebrate and manufacture “which binds us” on the scale of the country.
In Switzerland, as in Geneva, diversity only exists in reference to a common base, only to shared valueswhich allow us to enhance, in particular, the languages and cultures of origin in a “city-world” Geneva where more than 190 nationalities rub shoulders.
In parallel, the living traditions of our country are a privileged vector of these links.
It is with this in mind that we are very happy to welcome Mr. Yves Noël BALMER, President of the Council of State of Appenzell Rhodes-EXTERIORS.
Mr. Balmer is a committed man, proud of the customs of his canton, and convinced that they allow us to Anchor in our history to better face the current and future challenges.
Dear Mr. Balmer,
Some traditions of your canton contribute to the image of Switzerland and its diversity worldwide.
Thank you for agreeing to take with you today the bell ringers, Yodel’s singers and with them and them Traditions of your beautiful canton.
It is a real chance for Geneva to welcome this Appenzellois folklore which constitutes a unpublished discovery For the population, much more unprecedented than many distant landscapes.
Today we commemorate the Federal Pact Signed in 1291 by the cantons of Uri, Schwytz and Unterwald, for Defend their autonomy, guarantee their security and assert their cohesion and mutual support.
This notion of mutual support must be reaffirmed in order to make our differences a force to form a united country, anchored in respect for human rights.
It is this ability to overcome divergences for Conestruit a common project resting on a Stable federal statewhile giving way to Strong regional realities whose model is observed, copied, see envied, in the world.
Understanding, cohabitation, justice, equality, respect, links between people and cultures, the participation of all social groups and all regions in economic, political, social and cultural life in the country are the Swiss cement.
Ultimately, we all have the power to act, to implement effective proximity policies, to multiply united gestures, to strengthen our social capital, and on an individual scale, to provide support, to look at what surrounds us and finally, to open our hearts to live better.
I thanks The teams in charge of organizing this August 1:
- The teams of my department of social cohesion and solidarity, In particular Stéphanie Garde,,
- those of the external relations and communication service,
- The numerous municipal services, the police, the logistics and demonstrations service, the public space service, the green spaces service, the cantonal police,
- Our partners, Tavel Event, Ola Production, Shap Shap
- And our two guests, gentlemen Volker Türk and Yves Noël Balmer.
I cannot finish without telling you about the joy that is mine to share With you these precious moments. And without a Message of hope and courage that we all need greatly.
Thank you for your attention, and I wish you a nice evening suite and a magnificent August 1!
Long live Geneva and long live Switzerland!
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