Diversity strategy «inclusive overall system Swiss Armed Forces / Defence Group»
In 2023 the Armed Forces command adopted the diversity strategy «inclusive overall system Swiss Armed Forces / Defence Group». It outlines the path to achieving the desired target state and is implemented through three-year action plans.
The core of the diversity strategy is the orientation to the mandate. This means: The mandates of the Armed Forces provide the framework for managing diversity and the measures within the overall organisation. Wherever the mandates allow for it, diversity should be enabled.
Diversity in teams has positive effects on areas in which different ideas and perspectives are useful to solve problems and fulfil mandates. Diversity is understood broadly: the dimensions range from language, social and cultural origin, gender and sexual orientation to different bodies and minds. The compatibility of military service and education, job and personal life, specific needs concerning meals and infrastructure are cross-cutting issues that also need to be considered. The diverse members of the Armed Forces will only be able to fully contribute their perspective if they feel safe and appreciated in the Armed Forces.
Using diversity in a beneficial way requires to open up ones thinking and understanding and to consciously apply this change to all processes and structures in the overall organisation. This allows for conscious decisions about where and how much diversity is appropriate, ensuring that it does not lead to a decrease in the fulfillment of the mandates. The goal is to have objective justifications on where inclusions and exclusions occur.
Some basic conditions need to be in place to ensure that the aspired and desired diversity will in fact lead to inclusion. These basic conditions are summarised in the diversity strategy «inclusive overall system Swiss Armed Forces / Defense Group»:
Pillar 1 – Protection from discrimination and equality
The rights to protection from discrimination and equality apply to all members of the Armed Forces and of the military administration. The corresponding rights and duties for members of the Armed Forces are legally defined in the Service Regulations of the Swiss Armed Forces. For career military personnel, members of the military peace-keeping service and civilian staff the principles of the human resources law apply. The federal act on gender equality regulates equality in professional life.
Pillar 2 – Systematic and continuous processes improvement
Processes are improved in such a way that procedures relating to diversity are standardised according to appropriate and objective criteria that can be communicated in a transparent way. Thereby, those processes are particularly important that manage which people enter and remain in the Swiss Armed Forces and Defence group (for example the recruitment of members of the Armed Forces or of civilian staff).
The stronger the two pillars are, the stronger the Swiss Armed Forces will be in dealing with diversity in its own ranks. This way, it realises its own claim to become an Armed Forces for all. It will become an Armed Forces in which its members and the military administration can develop their full potential and contribute their individual capabilities and talents to the fulfilment of the mandates.
Contact
Specialised Office for Women in the Armed Forces and Diversity
Swiss Armed Forces
Training and Education Command
Papiermühlestrasse 14
CH - 3003 Bern
Monday – Friday: 08:00 – 17:00 Uhr
Phone: +41 58 480 50 00
E-Mail: contact.fiad@vtg.admin.ch