On Sunday Switzerland voted on a right wing proposal to curb immigration by imposing limits on the number of foreigners allowed in signalling the end to the country’s free movement accord with the European Union (passed by a large majority here in 2000). The move by the Swiss People’s Party - known for its anti-foreigner and anti-EU agenda - will see the reintroduction of quotas, as well as a national preference when filling job vacancies and restrictions of immigrants rights to social benefits.
The initiative passed with 50.3% and in Switzerland the people have the voice, so even if the Swiss government may not agree with the it they will now have to iron out all the details (like how this may affect the 50% of exports going to the EU and all the companies who rely on foreign workers). But besides all the economic implications, and threat of colleagues and friends not having permits renewed (although down the line and hopefully unlikely), it does make it hard for me to have valid discussions about International 'Mindesness' with my students.
It is one of our biggest missions here at school, with so many nationalities represented, to try and promote that 'we are all the same', 'one world', 'love thy neighbour', and then have to explain why 50.3% of the population here does not really want us (I know more complicated than this, but it is this simple when you are 14). And it is not just in Switzerland, there are anti-immigration groups all over Europe that would like to do something similar, in and in my humble opinion these groups, although claiming they are just trying to maintain culture (something which Switzerland has maintained brilliantly in my opinion), end up stirring up racist sentiments and stereo typing of people and nationalities. I sometimes have to wonder if people pay attention to any history at all...
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