Strategic Management Support Section
The Strategic Management Support Section (SMS Section) supports the Federal Council in all areas of policy planning. It is responsible for drafting the Federal Council’s planning and accountability reports, heads the secretariat of the Conference of Secretaries-General, and oversees the Von Wattenwyl Talks, which take place four times a year between members of the Federal Council and the parties represented in the Federal Council. It also deals with crisis management at federal level. It supports and advises the departments in preparing for and managing cross-departmental crises and is responsible for planning, conducting and evaluating the political and strategic aspects of crisis response exercises.
Strategic planning and accountability
In the run-up to the next term of parliament, the SMS Section, working with the departments and external experts, carries out a continuous long-term situation and context analysis. The aim is to identify and anticipate the key developments, opportunities and challenges of the next 10 to 15 years at an early stage. Based on this analysis and other strategic principles, the SMS Section works with the departments to draft the Federal Council’s dispatch on the legislative programme, setting out the political priorities and strategic objectives for the coming term of parliament. In addition, the SMS Section coordinates the Federal Council’s annual objectives and, in collaboration with the departments, prepares the Federal Council’s annual report for the purpose of accounting to Parliament for its activities. Finally, the SMS Section is also responsible for Federal Council monitoring, assisting the Federal Council in overseeing the tasks that the latter assigns to the departments of the Federal Administration.
Crisis Management
The SMS Section supports and advises the departments on preparing for and managing crises. This includes the early recognition and anticipation of crisis situations, involving the cantons, and calling on experts for support. In addition, the SMS Section is responsible for providing basic and continuing professional education and training in the field of crisis management, as well as for planning, conducting and evaluating the political and strategic aspects of crisis management exercises. It can also be called on to evaluate the Federal Administration’s crisis management following a major crisis.
Conference of Secretaries-General & Von Wattenwyl Talks
The SMS Section supports the Conference of Secretaries-General (CSG), the Federal Administration’s highest coordinating body, and runs its secretariat. It also organises and facilitates the Von Wattenwyl Talks, meetings held four times a year at which members of the Federal Council discuss current political issues with the leaders of the parties represented in the Federal Council.
Further information
Contact
Bundeshaus West
3003 Bern