National holiday of August 1, 2024: Speech by Christina Kitsos, Mayor of the City of Geneva
Ladies and gentlemen,
On behalf of the authorities of the City of Geneva, I wish you a cordial welcome.
It’s a great joy to celebrate National Day with you on August 1st. This date was officially chosen by the Federal Council in 1899 with the aim of unifying the nation after the divisions linked to the Sonderbund War, the outcome of which led to the creation of the federal state in 1848.
Every year, August 1st is the opportunity to come together around the values that found our country, to celebrate the contract that unites us, to collectively signify this construction of identity and to affirm our common values.
Compromise, cohabitation, balance, neutrality, are the recognized values of Switzerland, to which equality, social and climate justice, all necessary conditions for the cohesion of our country, which is founded, maintained and reinforced by this desire to “live together”.
Those are essential values to which Geneva is traditionally and strongly attachedand which it echoes throughout the world, even though multilateralism and global governance resulting from the Second World War are today called into question.
We are indeed going through an era marked by numerous crises: health, social, geopolitical, migratory, climatic crises and undoubtedly also a crisis of connection.
The anxiety, anger, loneliness, withdrawal, resentment and rising extremes are palpable. The polarization of our societies, amplified by social networks and the increased virulence of debates, must challenge us, question us and force us to remedy it.
Because these crises exacerbate inequalities.
In fact, these are always the most vulnerable populationsthe most vulnerable, the most precarious, in our regions, and the poorest countries on the planet, which are the most impacted by injustices.
The same goes for Geneva, one of the richest cities in the world.
The duty of memory should not make us forget these images of long waits of people waiting for hours to receive food parcels worth 20 francs. This city within the City then became visible when thousands of people, the vast majority women, undocumented, taking care of our children, our grandparents… and who participate in the prosperity of Geneva.
Today, how can we not highlight the exorbitant cost of rent in Geneva, the annual increases in health insurance premiums which put the budgets of many families in chronic difficulties?
How can we not see that these are still and always the women who pay the high price of AVS restructuring?
How can we not realize that the people who pollute the most are too often the wealthiest, those who suffer the least from the consequences of climate crises?
How can we not admit that there is a form of denial, particularly in our so-called developed countries, about the dramatic consequences of the society of overconsumption and leisure and its climate impact, particularly when we blame other countries for the production of comfort products?
These crises intersect, multiply, worsen and amplify, often leading to tragic consequences for human rights.
Sir Volker TürkUnited Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights gives us the honor of being present among us on August 1st.
In the current international context, the words of Mr Volker Türka committed, courageous man and deeply attached to peace, justice and dignity, appeared to us as an essential compass.
As you say, Mr High Commissioner, “human rights are the common language of humanity”.
It is impossible to highlight human rights without talking about children’s rights.
How can we forget the dramatic consequences of wars, malnutrition, migratory movements, family violence, lack of care and protection on the development of children?
This year we commemorate the centenary of the Geneva Declarationa text written in 1924 by Eglantyne Jebbwhich largely inspired the 1989 United Nations Convention.
This womanof British origin who ended her life in Geneva, is a pioneer. She leaves her native England, her protected environment and her profession as a teacher to travel across Europe torn apart by wars and economic crises.
She crosses borders to help children.
She will very quickly realize that charitable works are insufficient to overcome poverty.
This is because Eglantyne Jebb is also a pioneer in political awareness.
Her commitment is a concrete translation of the values of social justice and solidarity that drive her and her acute awareness that all children are equal, that complete protection must be offered to them, as citizens in their own right, whatever their nationality, religion, or status.
It is said that it was during a walk to Salève that she had the idea of a declaration enshrining universal rights for children.
In 1924, as today, care and protective factors implemented in favor of children have essential impacts on the children themselves, on families, and also on society as a whole.
Our country is a land of welcome, openness and connections.
I would like to take advantage of my year at City Hall to nourish this reflection on what contributes to our feeling of belonging to our country, to our City, to what establishes our social contract and strengthens our solidarity.
The National Day is a strong time of social cohesion, a privileged moment to celebrate and create “What binds us” across the country.
In Switzerland, as in Geneva, diversity only exists in reference to a common base, only to shared valueswhich allow us to promote, in particular, the languages and cultures of origin in a “world city” Geneva where more than 190 nationalities come together.
At the same time, 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 State Council of Appenzell Ausserrhoden.
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 current and future challenges.
Dear Mr Balmer,
Certain traditions from your canton contribute to the image of Switzerland and its diversity throughout the world.
Thank you for agreeing to take with you today the Bell Ringers, the Yodel Singers and with them the traditions of your beautiful Canton.
It’s a real chance for Geneva to welcome this Appenzell folklore which constitutes a unprecedented discovery for the population, much more unique than many distant landscapes.
Today we commemorate the Federal pact signed in 1291 by the cantons of Uri, Schwyz and Unterwalden, for defend their autonomy, guarantee their security and affirm their cohesion and mutual support.
This notion of mutual support must be reaffirmed in order to make our differences a strength to form a united country, anchored in respect for human rights.
It is this ability to overcome divergences forbuild a common project resting on a Stable federal statewhile leaving room for strong regional realities whose model is observed, copied, even envied, throughout the world.
Understanding, cohabitation, justice, equality, respect, links between people and cultures, the participation of all social groups and all regions in the economic, political, social and cultural life of the country are THE cement from Switzerland.
Ultimately, we all have the power to act, to implement effective local policies, to increase solidarity gestures, to strengthen our social capital, and on an individual level, to provide support, take a look at what surrounds us and finally, open our hearts to live better together.
I thanks the teams in charge of organizing this August 1st:
- the teams of my Department of Social Cohesion and Solidarity, in particular Stéphanie Garde,
- those of the External Relations and Communication Department,
- the numerous municipal services, the police, the Logistics and Events Service, the Public Space Service, the Green Spaces Service, the Cantonal Police,
- our partners, Tavel Evénement, Ola Production, Shap Shap
- and our two guests, Messrs. Volker Türk and Yves Noël Balmer.
I cannot finish without telling you again joy that is mine to share with you these precious moments. And without one message of hope and courage which we all greatly need.
Thank you for your attention, and I wish you a wonderful evening and a wonderful August 1st!
Long live Geneva and long live Switzerland!
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