Swiss Stories

The World Economic Forum: A Swiss success story

The World Economic Forum: A Swiss success story

Society
Established in 1971 as a not-for-profit foundation headquartered in Geneva, the World Economic Forum has evolved into a global platform where leaders from diverse sectors address pressing challenges. In all its activities, the Forum seeks to demonstrate entrepreneurship in the public interest while upholding the highest standards of governance. From facilitating historic agreements helping to end conflicts, the Forum has had a considerable impact on global and local concerns over the years.
NASA

Switzerland’s role in the first moon landing

History
Even today, not many people are aware of Switzerland's participation in this historic achievement. And yet, Swiss technological know-how played an important role in the success of the Apollo 11 mission.

by Mehdi Atmani

Ida Hofmann

Monte Verità: the Swiss early hippie colony

History
As a young woman, Ida Hofmann was a successful piano teacher and glamorous socialite in Russia, Austria and Montenegro. She then made a radical new beginning in Ticino and founded the soon-to-be legendary Monte Verità.
Barbara Piatti

by Barbara Piatti

Bertrand Piccard

Bertrand Piccard - The power of dreams for the energy of tomorrow

Environment
Bertrand Piccard, the Swiss mastermind behind Solar Impulse, has harnessed his pioneering spirit and thirst for exploration for a global cause: the quality of life for future generations.
Benoît and Léonard (Masterchef)

Switzerland's Got Talent

Society
Budding Swiss stars have dazzled in talent shows in recent years, not just in Switzerland but in neighbouring France and Germany too. Whether singing a song or wielding a kitchen knife like no other, they have held their own and sometimes even won! From The Voice to MasterChef, here is a list of just some of our compatriots who have made a name for themselves.
Gottardo 2016 © Amberg Group

The Gotthard Tunnel: also a women's story

Environment
The world's longest rail tunnel, 57km long, opened on 1 June 2016. This feat of Swiss engineering, which crosses the Alps and links the cantons of Uri and Ticino, was built by AlpTransit Gotthard SA, a subsidiary of the Swiss Federal Railways (SBB). AlpTransit has a workforce of 170, including 53 women, which makes it something of an exception in the construction and infrastructure engineering sector.
Swiss Humanitarian Aid expert in Sulawesi, Indonesia

Swiss tech for good

Science & Education
How can technology be used for the common good? This is what Tech4good is all about. The Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation works closely with Swiss enterprises, start-ups, universities and research units to provide tech solutions to challenges in development cooperation. Some examples of Tech4Good projects developed in Switzerland are set out below.