The FCM
The Federal Commission on Migration (FCM) is a federal government extra-parliamentary commission. It is composed of 30 experts from the field of migration appointed by the Federal Council and is supported by a secretariat. Manuele Bertoli, a former member of the Ticino cantonal government, has been president of the FCM since January 2024. Yvonne Riaño and Johan Rochel hold the vice-presidency. Bettina Looser has headed the FCM secretariat since 2021. The secretariat is responsible for preparing, supporting, and implementing the Commission’s activities.
Mandate and legal basis
The FCM was established by the Federal Council on 1 January 2008. It was formed from the Federal Commission for Foreigners (FCF) and the Federal Commission for Refugees (FCR) and continues to carry out their tasks. Its mandate is set out in the Federal Act on Foreign Nationals and Integration (FNIA), the Ordinance on the Integration of Foreign Nationals (FNIntO) and the Federal Act on the Organisation of the Government and Administration (GAOA).
Responsibilities and areas of activity
The FCM has a legal mandate to address social, economic, cultural, political, demographic, and legal issues arising from international migration flows which have an impact on Switzerland and its people. Topics range from refugee protection and labour migration, to social cohesion in Switzerland's migrant communities and transnational issues. The FCM's tasks include, in particular:
- Advisory services and policy development: The FCM advises the Federal Council and the Federal Administration on migration and integration issues. It may prepare statements, recommendations and position papers, and commission studies on its own initiative or on request.
- Knowledge transfer: The FCM promotes networking and knowledge sharing on migration issues. To this end, it collaborates with government agencies at all levels of the Federal Administration and with associations, NGOs and international partners.
- Public awareness: The FCM keeps the public informed about its work and its position on a range of topics. It organises workshops, round tables and seminars, as well as an annual national conference on migration and integration issues. It also produces various publications and materials, including the annual journal terra cognita and an annual report.
- Integration support: As part of the federal government's integration fund, the FCM supports programmes and projects by civil society and government agencies that are of national significance. Programmes that currently receive funding include ‘Citoyenneté – mitreden, mitgestalten, mitentscheiden’ (Citizenship – have a say, help shape and decide) and ‘Neues Wir – Kultur, Migration, Teilhabe’ (A New Us – Culture, Migration, Participation).
- Coordination and mediation: The FCM coordinates its activities with other federal commissions and shares its experiences and views with government agencies, experts and civil society stakeholders. If necessary, it can also mediate between organisations working in the field of integration and the federal authorities.