On 3rd March, Swiss citizens will vote for the second time on whether they want Switzerland to join the United Nations: an option they had rejected en masse in 1986. It should however be pointed out that Switzerland has enjoyed the status of observer since 1948. The UN and the international organizations are the main employer in the canton of Geneva in Switzerland, providing one job in ten. So Switzerland, though not a member of the United Nations, does participate actively in its work and running. The current Swiss financial contribution to the various UN organizations it funds amounts to 470 million francs per year, whereas full membership would cost some 70 million more. In a memorandum issued at the end of January (cf. SirEurope no. 2/2002), the Swiss bishops had declared their support for membership. “Although imperfect they wrote the UNO is today the most suitable instrument for preserving and building world peace, promoting justice between peoples and finding solutions to the problems of humanity”.
