Federation of Free Italian Colonies in Switzerland

The Federazione delle Colonie Libere Italiane in Svizzera (FCLIS) is a migrant organization founded in 1943 by Italian immigrants in Switzerland. It is organized as a registered association (Verein) with its seat in Zurich and, according to its statutes, is independent, non-partisan and non-denominational. Its stated purpose is to safeguard the general interests of immigrant workers in Switzerland, to coordinate the social, cultural and recreational activities of the Colonie Libere Italiane (CLI) and affiliated associations, and to promote cooperation between the CLI, affiliated associations, Italian and Swiss authorities, and the Swiss population. The origins of the movement go back to 1925, when the first Colonia Libera Italiana was founded in Geneva on the initiative of anti-fascists who had fled Italy. The label "Libera" (free) was chosen to emphasize opposition to Mussolini's fascist regime, which sought to extend its power over Italian emigrant organizations abroad. Further free colonies were established in various Swiss localities, especially after 23 July 1943, which marked the end of the fascist regime in Italy. On 21 November 1943, representatives of ten free colonies met and founded a national association to coordinate and connect the activities of Italian immigrants, to take an active role in anti-fascism, to help refugees in Switzerland and to support the resistance struggle in Italy. Among the members was Fernando Schiavetti, who later contributed to drafting the Italian constitution and was elected to the Senate of the newly founded Italian Republic. In the post-war period, a further, economically driven wave of emigration from Italy brought more than two million Italians to Switzerland out of roughly seven and a half million who emigrated between the end of World War II and 1976. With the changed political and economic circumstances, the focus of emigrant organizations shifted more toward social, social-policy and economic issues. During this time, the Colonie Libere Italiane grew to 120 local sections and 20,000 members, becoming the most important workers' movement of Italian immigrants and thus the largest national foreign organization in Switzerland. The work of the FCLIS was shaped by the domestic political theme of the "over-foreignization" (Überfremdung) of Switzerland through mass immigration during the boom years, which led among other things to the Schwarzenbach Initiative. Key social-policy goals of the Colonie Libere included the possibility of family reunification, the abolition of the seasonal worker statute, and the right to participate in political life in Switzerland. The association's work led to the founding of various structures for the Italian population in Switzerland, including ECAP in the education sector and INCA in the welfare sector. Further fundamental activities concerned the integration of the children of Italian immigrants into the Swiss school system and the improvement of bilateral agreements regarding health, social and welfare matters. The association of Colonie Libere Italiane also did important work in the cultural field, cultivating "Italianità" in schools and leisure time, including through festivals, events, conferences, film, theatre and musical performances. In addition, the FCLIS published its own newspaper, monographs and books. In more recent times, with the increasing integration of the Italian population, which in some areas had a substantial influence on life in Switzerland, the needs of the Italian population in Switzerland also changed. According to official AIRE statistics, 500,565 Italian citizens live in Switzerland today; some of them have also taken Swiss citizenship and are Italian-Swiss dual citizens, reflected in the figure of around 295,000 Italian-only citizens given by the Federal Statistical Office. In addition, numerous Swiss have Italian ancestors or have given up their Italian citizenship entirely in favour of Swiss citizenship.

The Federazione delle Colonie Libere Italiane in Svizzera (FCLIS) traces its roots to the anti-fascist emigration from Italy in the 1920s. The first Colonia Libera Italiana was founded in Geneva in 1925 on the initiative of anti-fascists who had fled Italy. The adjective "Libera" (free) was chosen to emphasize opposition to Mussolini's fascist regime, which sought to extend its power over Italian emigrant organizations abroad. Further free colonies were established in various Swiss localities, especially after 23 July 1943, which marked the end of the fascist regime in Italy. On 21 November 1943, representatives of ten free colonies met and founded a national association. Its purpose was to coordinate and connect the activities of Italian immigrants, to take an active role in anti-fascism, to help refugees in Switzerland and to support the resistance struggle in Italy. Among the members was Fernando Schiavetti, who later contributed to drafting the Italian constitution and was elected to the Senate of the newly founded Italian Republic. The post-war period triggered a further, economically driven wave of emigration from Italy. Of the roughly seven and a half million Italians who emigrated between the end of World War II and 1976, more than two million went to Switzerland. With the changed political and economic circumstances, the focus of emigrant organizations shifted more toward social, social-policy and economic issues. During this time, the Colonie Libere Italiane grew to 120 local sections and 20,000 members, becoming the most important workers' movement of Italian immigrants and thus the largest national foreign organization in Switzerland. The work of the FCLIS was shaped by the domestic political theme of the "over-foreignization" (Überfremdung) of Switzerland through mass immigration during the boom years, which led among other things to the Schwarzenbach Initiative. Key social-policy goals of the Colonie Libere included the possibility of family reunification, the abolition of the seasonal worker statute, and the right to participate in political life in Switzerland. The association's work led to the founding of various structures for the Italian population in Switzerland, including ECAP in the education sector and INCA in the welfare sector. Further fundamental activities concerned the integration of the children of Italian immigrants into the Swiss school system and the improvement of bilateral agreements regarding health, social and welfare matters. The association of Colonie Libere Italiane also did important work in the cultural field, cultivating "Italianità" in schools and leisure time, including through festivals, events, conferences, film, theatre and musical performances. In addition, the FCLIS published its own newspaper, monographs and books. In more recent times, with the increasing integration of the Italian population, which in some areas had a substantial influence on life in Switzerland, the needs of the Italian population in Switzerland also changed. According to official AIRE statistics, 500,565 Italian citizens live in Switzerland today; some of them have also taken Swiss citizenship and are Italian-Swiss dual citizens, reflected in the figure of around 295,000 Italian-only citizens given by the Federal Statistical Office. In addition, numerous Swiss have Italian ancestors or have given up their Italian citizenship entirely in favour of Swiss citizenship. Many Italian immigrants, especially upon reaching retirement age, have also returned to their home country. In this changed environment, the FCLIS today is no longer only an association serving Italian immigrants, but also works for their descendants, for the preservation of Italian culture and the connection to their country of origin. The FCLIS also advocates for the concerns of Italian and Italian-descended women and mothers. An important place is also taken by accompanying the now older generation of Italian immigrants in various matters. Overall, the association counts more than 50 local sections.

• 1976

  By this year, more than two million Italians had emigrated to Switzerland since the end of World War II.

• 1943

  On 21 November, representatives of ten free colonies founded the national association in Switzerland.

• 1943

  23 July marked the end of the fascist regime in Italy, leading to the creation of further free colonies in Switzerland.

• 1925

  First Colonia Libera Italiana founded in Geneva by anti-fascist refugees from Italy.

• At its peak, the Colonie Libere Italiane had 120 local sections and 20,000 members, becoming the largest national foreign organization in Switzerland.

• Founding of ECAP (education) and INCA (welfare) as structures for the Italian population in Switzerland.

• Today the association counts more than 50 local sections.

Independent, non-partisan and non-denominational umbrella association representing and coordinating the Free Italian Colonies in Switzerland.

• Local sections (Colonie Libere Italiane)

  Over 50 local sections across Switzerland, including in Zurich, Basel, Lucerne, Lausanne, Neuchâtel and many other localities.

• Social and cultural events

  Festivals, gatherings, film, theatre and musical performances, conferences and recreational activities.

• ECAP education services

  Education-sector structure founded as a result of the association's work.

• INCA welfare services

  Welfare-sector structure founded as a result of the association's work.

• Newspaper, monographs and books

  The FCLIS published its own newspaper, monographs and books.

1. 1Home | fcli.chfcli.ch
2. 2Federazione delle colonie libere italiane in Svizzerawikidata.org
3. 3Federazione delle Colonie Libere Italiane in Svizzerade.wikipedia.org