Switzerland consists of different regions, cultures and languages. The minorities in Switzerland are in the first place ethno-linguistic minorities, whose are unified by a common language. Therefore, since the foundation of the Confederation in 1848 the Helvetic state has been considered a multilingual country. | Specificity of Multiculturalism in Switzerland Technium Social Sciences Journal Vol. 2 18-36 January 2020 ISSN 2668-7798 Specificity of Multiculturalism in Switzerland Prof. Dr. mult. Miroslaw Matyja Dr. . Logos International University USA Polish University Abroad in London Selinus University in Bologna Italy Indian Management School and Research Centre in Mumbai India Abstract. Switzerland consists of different regions cultures and languages. The minorities in Switzerland are in the first place ethno-linguistic minorities whose are unified by a common language. Therefore since the foundation of the Confederation in 1848 the Helvetic state has been considered a multilingual country. The confederation and cantons are obliged to protect linguistic minorities. The grounds of the Swiss social structure with traditional multiculturalism and four national languages are two principles language freedom Sprachenfreiheit and territoriality Territorialitätsprinzip . Switzerland has no official state religion. Predominant religion is Christianity the largest religious minorities is established by Islam. The largest Christian denominations are Catholic Church and Swiss Reformed Church . The influx of new cultural minorities to Switzerland began after the Second World War and was directly connected with economic migration with the large influx of gastarbeiters from southern European countries and refugees from the Third World and from the former law includes the protection of national yet not cultural minorities. In Switzerland the protection of national minorities is also based on international standards. Keywords. Switzerland Swiss minorities direct democracy cultural minorities Swiss integration policy Introduction Multicultural Switzerland has been ethnically diverse from the beginnings of its statehood. It has existed as a state in its present form since the adoption of the Swiss Federal .
