Read the inspiring story behind a powerful Ebola video produced by Geneva based animator, Firdaus Kharas. Wondering what could be done to reduce the spread of this horrific virus a team of animators came up with this moving video, now available in eight languages. Geneva-based animator Firdaus Kharas, founder of Chocolate Moose Media, is an an […]
Let us laugh together, on principle
The tragic events in Paris tug at our hearts and pose questions to our heads. Our deepest sympathies go to the families and friends of the victims. While we mourn the deaths of the cartoonists and police and are revolted by people being gunned down in premeditated murder, we are led to reflect on what […]
Stepping over the line
In 1979, I happened to run across Georges Bernier, the creator of the bitingly satirical magazine, Charlie Hebdo. The motto was “Bête et Méchant,” which translates roughly as “stupid and nasty.” It had started in 1969 as Hara Kiri, but had only lasted a year before it was closed on orders from Charles de Gaulle, […]
“Eat a burger!” – the skinny shaming phenomenon
Many people seem to believe that a woman needs to be thin in order to be considered beautiful. The western world especially still embraces the idea that a woman can’t be attractive unless she is skinny. But it looks like times are changing. Beyoncé, Christina Hendricks and Kim Kardashian are among the many famous women […]
Social assistance higher in Suisse romande
BERN The number of people on welfare in Swiss cities is generally higher in Suisse romande than in German-speaking cities, according to a study by Bern University and the Cities Initiative for Social Policy. Lausanne and Bienne/Biel have the greatest percentage of people on welfare among 13 cities surveyed, with increases in five other cities, […]
Throwing off the yoke: Swiss farm numbers decline
It is hardly news that Swiss peasants have been abandoning farming in recent decades but the phenomenon increased even further in 2013. By the end of last year, there were 2.4% fewer farms than were worked in 2012, particularly smaller farms of between 5 and 20 hectares. On the other hand, the number of farms […]
FIFA accused of cover-up: Qatar to lose cup?
The refusal by the International Federation of Football Associations (FIFA) to release the findings of its 350-page report can only lead to further speculation regarding allegations of corruption over the granting of the World Cup to Russia in 2018 and Qatar in 2022. It also suggests that nothing has changed within the powerful Zurich-based organization, […]
Scotland rejects independence
Edinburgh. The electorate in has voted by over 55% against independence making it mathematically impossible for the Yes campaign to win. Edinburgh voted by over 60% against independence, while Scotland’s largest city, Glasgow voted narrowly for independence, however it was not enought to deliver victory to the pro-independence campaign. Turnout in many places has […]
The serious side of humour
The recent death by suicide of Robin Williams, one of America’s most beloved comedians, has sparked a wave of commentary about whether there is a connection between humour and depression, or between humour and desperation. Others question whether it is proper to laugh at memorial services as many did for Williams (and as many have […]
Managing workplace burnout
The phenomenon of professional exhaustion, or burnout, has given rise to a number of coaching and counselling services in Switzerland seeking to educate employees and managers how to recognize symptoms and to jointly take preventive measures. Job burnout is defined as chronic stress that affects both physical and mental health. In extreme cases, it can […]
