Switzerland, Germany and Austria, three countries where apprenticeship programmes are most prevalent, also have the lowest youth unemployment rates in Europe. Some policy makers are wondering if there is a connection and whether the focus on ever higher education is the best way to address youth unemployment Stefan Wolter, director of the Swiss Coordination Center […]
The curious have adventures: Cultural youth exchange programmes
Youth exchange programmes offer a rare opportunity for a person, generally in their late teens, to travel, study and live in a foreign country for an extended period of time. They live as a member of a family and learn through immersion about their host country’s culture. As importantly, they act as ambassadors for their […]
Ecuadorian President and Foreign Minister seek agreement in Geneva against corporate abuses
Corporate abuse of workers’ rights, the environment, corporate corruption and massive tax evasion are all issues in dire need of direct and strong redress. These are issues that recently civil society organisations in Geneva have been calling on the international community and even the Swiss Government to regulate and enforce. Le News has reported on […]
Switzerland calls for global death penalty ban
Earlier this month, Swiss President Didier Burkhalter joined 11 foreign ministers around the world in a joint declaration in favour of abolishing the death penalty. “The death penalty is incompatible with human rights,” the Swiss government said in a statement last week. While Switzerland abolished the death penalty from its federal criminal law in 1942, […]
Federer masters China
Swiss tennis player Roger Federer (33) won his first Shanghai Masters title in China on 12 October, with a straight set of victories over 29-year-old French player Gilles Simon. Federer, a 17-time Gland Slam winner, won the game after Simon hit a forehand into the net, giving him a 7-6 (8-6) 7-6 (7-2) victory. “To […]
Apple’s game-changer: iPad Air2 for a cheaper connection
It’s either good news for consumers as the mobile networks’ throttlehold is broken, or bad news if consumers’ choice of network operators is restricted. Apple announced this week that its new iPad Air will contain a “soft sim” which allows the user to choose their preferred mobile operator based on service and price, and indeed […]
Cause Direct: Not your average crowd-funding site
Dozens of people gathered last week at Geneva’s Impact Hub to celebrate the launch of one of Switzerland’s newest non-profit organizations: Cause Direct, an online platform that serves to connect certified NGOs worldwide with interested funders and investors. The concept behind the site isn’t a novelty. Thousands of people around the globe use websites such […]
The Salt of the Earth; Gone Girl
THE SALT OF THE EARTH **** Wim Wenders has a definite knack with documentaries. He brings them to life with both charm and intelligence, like his inimitable classic, The Buena Vista Social Club. Here, he retraces the steps of the renowned Brazilian photojournalist, Sebastiao Salgado, who has witnessed all forms of international conflicts and isolated […]
Montreux Art: Uncovering artistic talent
Montreux Art Gallery, now in its tenth year, is a contemporary art fair with a juried selection of more than 150 exhibitors. The fair takes place in the Montreux Convention Centre, situated in the heart of Montreux. “We chose the right place,” says Jean-François Gailloud, director of MAG. “The Centre des Congrès is a very […]
La Nuit de la Guitare: Acoustic guitar virtuoso concert
It is rare to have world-class musical talents come together to give performances in lesser known venues in the region. But this is exactly what is happening in Versonnex on 31 October. For fans of the acoustic guitar, this event promises to be memorable with three highly respected masters coming together for just one evening. […]