As part of the commemoration of world disability day Geneva’s giant broken chair found itself with a giant foot. The foot appeared on Monday last week. The chair, which has three good legs and one which appears to have been blown off in an explosion, symbolises opposition to land mines. The 12 metre high chair was […]
Geneva’s Jet d’eau pays tribute to Paris victims
Last night Geneva’s iconic jet of water, the Jet d’eau, was lit red white and blue in tribute to the victims of this weekend’s attacks in Paris. Le jet d’eau de Genève rend également hommage aux victimes des attentats à Paris ❤️❤️ pic.twitter.com/BTA4nOclsn — KangouRo (@Roro080319911) 15 Novembre 2015 @LHallyday @JohnnySjh #TeamHallyday Ce soir #Genève […]
Swiss president speaks out on Paris attacks
In an interview by RTS, Switzerland’s national broadcaster, Swiss president Simonetta Sommaruga strongly condemned the attacks in Paris. She said she was deeply shocked by what happened yesterday evening in Paris and that Switzerland strongly condemns the attacks. Adding that “these attacks are against all our deepest societal and human values. Our hearts are with […]
Swiss-French border controls strengthened after Paris attacks
Tribune de Genève. After the attacks in Paris last night, where according to lemonde.fr at least 128 are dead and 180 wounded the French government decided to control France’s borders. According to the Geneva based daily, border controls have been strengthened between France and Geneva. At the Thônex-Vallard border, the main motorway entry point from France […]
Is this Switzerland’s next FIFA scandal?
The FIFA corruption scandal may be growing steadily worse, but yet another Swiss-based organization may not be far behind. The European Broadcasting Union (EBU), which manages the Eurovision Song Contest, has come up with its own version of hidden agendas, lack of transparency and blatant conflict of interest. Essential Edge co-editor Edward Girardet explores the issues. […]
More plane noise for some: Geneva airport’s new flight paths
From 31 March 2016, flight paths in and out of Geneva airport will change. The changes are part of an effort to harmonise flight routes across Western Europe. The new paths are intended to reduce fuel consumption and emissions, improve safety, and coordination between air traffic controllers across FABEC (Functional Airspace Block) countries, which include […]
From banker to humanist – is this the new face of philanthropy?
Still in his 30s, Yonathan Parienti is a straggle-haired ex-banker in blue jeans. Now his mission is to bring social activists together via the Internet. For under-35s there’s no paradox. As Essential Edge contributing editor Peter Hulm writes, they don’t have their parents’ hangups about the public vs private sector. The Occupy Me generation also […]
UN Geneva’s open day a huge success
Last weekend the UN in Geneva opened its doors to celebrate its 70th anniversary. There were an impressive 19,000 visitors according to the UN Facebook page. In a Tribune de Genève article, UN spokesperson Rhéal LeBlanc said “it has been a phenomenal success”. Director-General Michael Moller and former Secretary-General Kofi Annan were present along with […]
From bare-foot football to leading AIDS fight. Sidibé knows how to convince.
A walk in the park. This week Renu Chahil-Graf interviewed Michel Sidibé, Executive Director of UNAIDS, the UN agency combating HIV and AIDS. Michel knows about discrimination. The son of a mixed-race marriage in Mali in the 1950s, he is well qualified to fight the discrimination faced by those with HIV. He also knows how […]
Get inspired at the United Nations 70th anniversary open day
The Palais des Nations, home of the United Nations Office at Geneva (UNOG), will open its doors to the public on Saturday, 24 October 2015, to mark the 70th anniversary of the United Nations. Under the theme “Strong UN. Better world”, the Open Day will be among key events being held worldwide that day […]
