The concept of a referendum appears to be viewed increasingly by Europeans as a quick way to impose change on politicians (first Scotland, then Catalonia). The question, however, is whether the referendum really constitutes an effective form of democracy. Is decision-making not supposed to be the role of elected parliamentarians? And if a referendum affecting […]
Swiss population rise: Mainly foreigners
BERN The population of Switzerland rose by 1.3% in 2013, the overwhelming majority of them immigrants, the Federal Office of Statistics announced this week. With 100,600 new residents, the current population now stands at 8.1 million. An estimated 89,500 of the new influx were immigrants, primarily Germans, Portuguese, Italians, French, Spanish and other European Union […]
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, […]
Your future: “80 is the new 60”
UBS this week released a survey it carried out on age and pensions. Normally pretty dry stuff – summaries of massive data sets – these findings offer interesting insights into Swiss attitudes and give ample food for thought. We know, for example, that the Swiss are living longer; however the survey also tells us that […]
Swiss recycling: not at the top – European rankings
Recently released EU figures show that Switzerland is the fourth best re-cycler in Europe after Germany (64%), Austria (59%) and Belgium (57%). Swiss municipalities recycle 50% of all waste collected. Europe’s three other large economies, the UK, France and Italy recycle 46%, 39% and 38% respectively. Malta, at the bottom of the table, recycles a […]
CERN agrees open access to research with American Physical Society
The American Physical Society (APS), and CERN have agreed that all CERN-authored articles published in the APS journal collection are to be Open Access. CERN Director General Rolf Heuer called the agreement “A very important step towards global Open Access for a global discipline”. Thanks to agreement, articles will be available free of charge for […]
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 […]
Japan’s collaboration with International Academy of Sports Science and Technology in Lausanne in the fight against doping
Hideki NIWA, the Japanese State Minister of Education and Sports last week visited the International Academy of Sports Science and Technology in Lausanne to discuss further collaboration in the fight against doping; improved governance of sport administration; and the management of emerging technologies in sport.
Franz Weber announces retirement
Doyen of the Swiss environmental movement, Franz Weber has announced his retirement from the foundation bearing his name, which he formed 40 years ago. Weber has been a sometimes controversial force for environmental policy change across the country. His daughter, Vera will take over the running of the foundation.
First possible Ebola patient arrives at Geneva hospital
The first potential ebola sufferer arrived in Switzerland this week under strict quarantine. The nurse who had been working with ebola victims in Sierra Leone has been repatriated to Geneva’s cantonal hospital. He will remain there for three weeks, the incubation period of the disease, until cleared.