Mandated by and in cooperation with Swiss Development Cooperation, PolitExchange (the competence center of the Capital Region Switzerland for governance study visits) welcomes a high-level delegation from Laos to a short visit to Bern, from 5 to 9 September. The group is lead by HE Dr. Kikeo Chanthaboury, vice minister of the Ministry of Planning and Investment. The visitors are interested in understanding the Swiss political system and the Swiss experience regarding the relations between national, cantonal and municipal administrations, on planning and financing public services and tasks. The various forms of political participation and the engagement of civil society in Switzerland will also be discussed. In addition, there will be an exchange with Swiss authorities on the first experience with the implementation of the international Agenda 2030 for sustainable development.
The program foresees discussions with the federal authorities in the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs and the Federal Administration of Finance. In addition, visits are planned to the Federal Parliament, the Bernese Great Council, the municipality of Köniz as well as to the region of the lake of Biel/Bienne. At the wine festival in La Neuveville the delegation will get an impression from civil society engagement and the interrelations between citizens and local authorities in Switzerland.