The Embassy of Switzerland in Poland invites to two public lectures of the renowned Swiss political scientist
and author Prof. Dr. Wolf Linder on

Swiss Direct Democracy: A Model for Democratization or a Case sui generis?

May 9, 2011, 15:00-16:30

Warsaw, University of Warsaw, Krakowskie Przedmieście 3, room number 1

Welcome by Mr. Bénédict de Cerjat, Ambassador of Switzerland
Introduction by Prof. Dr. Stanisław Sulowski, Director of the Institute of Political Science

In cooperation with the University of Warsaw, Institute of Political Science

May 10, 2011, 11:00-12:15

Cracow, Jagiellonian University, Collegium Novum, room number 30

Welcome by Dr. Simon Geissbühler, Minister and Deputy Chief of Mission of the Swiss Embassy
Introduction by Prof. Dr. Bogdan Szlachta, Dean of the Faculty of International and Political Studies

In cooperation with the Jagiellonian University, Faculty of International and Political Studies

Direct democracy is a key feature of the Swiss political system and an important element of the Swiss (political) identity. In Poland (and elsewhere),
Swiss direct democracy is often not very well-known. While some commentators wished much more democracy and citizens’ participation in their own
country and envy Switzerland for its accomplishments in this field, others find direct democracy dangerous or irrelevant. Swiss direct democracy is not
an export product, but it can serve as a model for democratization processes and the political management of fragmented societies. As the EU wants
to become more democratic, the Swiss experience could be helpful, too.

Prof. Dr. Wolf Linder, 1987-2009 Professor at the Institute of Political Science of the University of Berne, 1994-1996 and 2006-2008 Dean of the Faculty
of Law and Economy at the University of Bern, author of – among many other books and articles – “Swiss Democracy. Possible Solutions to Conflict
in Multicultural Societies”.