Young Liberals (Switzerland)

Infobox Political Youth Organization
name_english = Young Liberals Switzerland
name_native = Jungfreisinnige Schweiz
Jeunes Radicaux Suisses
Giovani Liberali Radicali Svizzeri
Giuvens Liberals Svizzers

chairperson = Lena Schneller
deputies = Adrian Michel, Olivier Naray
foundation = 1928
headquarters = Postfach 6845
3001 Berne
ideology = Liberalism
international = International Federation of Liberal Youth (IFLRY)
regional1_type = European
regional1_name = European Liberal Youth (LYMEC)
mother_party = Free Democratic Party of Switzerland
website = [http://www.jungfreisinnige.ch/ www.jungfreisinnige.ch]

The Young Liberals Switzerland, or jfs, or Young Liberals, was founded in 1928 as the liberal youth organisation of Switzerland. With more than 4000 members aged between 15 and 35 in practically all Cantons, it is the biggest youth party in Switzerland.

About

Young Liberals are active on the federal, the Cantonal, the local level and at universities in Switzerland. It has one MP, Christa Markwalder-Bär, in the federal parliament (National Council; German: Nationalrat), and several in Cantonal and local parliaments.

*Name in German: jungfreisinnige schweiz; Abbreviation: jfs
*French: jeunes radicaux suisses
*Italian: giovani liberali radicali svizzeri
*Rumantsch: giuvens liberals svizzers

Although the jfs is independent, it is affiliated with the Free Democratic Party of Switzerland and, on the international level, with European Liberal Youth as well as International Federation of Liberal Youth.

Principles

The jfs considers politics as "lifestyle", i.e. something interesting and rocking, particularly for the younger generations, which are affected by today's policies. The Young Liberals commit themselves for an excellent education, secured pensions within a sustainably formed social welfare system, a strong economy based on free market principles, security and a sustainable environment.

Organisation

The sovereign body of the Young Liberals is called "The Congress", and meets once a year, usually in spring. The Congress elects the individually the members of the National Board and decides upon political strategy papers, which altogether form the manifesto. During the year, the Council of Delegates meets four times and decides on current business, e.g. adopts the positions of the party on popular votes and referendums. The National Board is responsible for the daily business.

National BoardThe current members of the National Board (as of March 2007):

* President: Lena Schneller
* Vice president: Adrian Michel
* Vice president: Philippe Nantermod
* MP National Council: Christa Markwalder-Bär
* Treasurer: Stefano Rizzi
* International Officer: Adrian Ineichen
* Social Policy Officer: Silvan Amberg
* Business/Education Policy Officer: Juliette Hotz
* Political Coordination: Simon Berther
* Communications Officer: Gisela Oreiller
* Secretary General: Simon Hofstetter

External links

* [http://www.jungfreisinnige.ch/ jungfreisinnige schweiz] official site (in German/French/English)
* [http://www.fdp.ch/ Free Democratic Party FDP] official site (in German)
* [http://www.prd.ch/ Free Democratic Party] official site (in French)
* [http://www.lymec.org/ Liberal European Youth] official site of LYMEC (in English)
* [http://www.iflry.org/ Federation of International Liberal Youth] official site of IFLRY (in English)

ee also

*Youth voice
*Youth vote
*Youth politics