Swiss Stories

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10 Surprising Facts about Switzerland

Society
Everyone recognizes Switzerland as the land of mountains, cheese and happy people. However, glossy tourism brochures do not tell the entire story: Switzerland is much more than a country of stereotypes.

by Kristīne Strazdiņa

Swiss Alps © Dylan Nicolier

@mountains_rocks' Instagram

Society
Switzerland still has landscapes untouched by human activity, where the animal world prevails and a golden silence endures. It is one of the things we all love about Switzerland, and it is what inspired Dylan Nicolier to populate his Instagram account @mountains_rocks with images that prove that photographed from any angle Switzerland's beauty never fails to stop you in your tracks.
Le violon à l’honneur à Genève

Violins take centre stage in Geneva

Society
For the first time in its history, the world's leading international competition for young violinists will be held in Switzerland. The Menuhin Competition, known as the 'Olympics of the Violin' will see the 44 top young violinists worldwide compete in Geneva from 12–22 April. This year two Swiss artists – Sumina Studer and Anatol János Toth – have made the competition, selected from over 300 young violinists from all over the world.
Airheart Copyright Airheart

8 innovative Swiss games

Society
In today’s society, gaming apps, eSports, online games and even virtual reality games have changed the way the Swiss play. And with its top science universities and creative thinkers, Switzerland is well positioned to be a key ‘player’ in the gaming world of tomorrow.
Photo

Drug checking – the Swiss response to the risks of drug use

Society
People have a fundamental responsibility for their own lifestyle and behaviour. The Swiss National Strategy on Addiction is based on this principle. So is the innovative Swiss approach known as 'drug checking'. Its aim is to promote health literacy among drug users by providing them with information on the composition of the drug(s) they take and increasing their awareness of the risks and consequences of their consumption of illegal substances. Although not all drug use can be prevented and many people choose to consume drugs despite the risks, Swiss drug-checking services strive to minimise risks and prevent harmful consequences such as overdosing.

by Infodrog - Swiss Office for the Coordination of Addiction Facilities

Christine Schraner Burgener visits the Thet Kel Pyin Muslim Internally Displaced Persons camp in Sittwe, Rakhine State, Western Myanmar (2018)

Women in Peace Processes

Society
A little over twenty years ago, on 31 October 2000, the UN Security Council unanimously adopted resolution 1325. With this pioneer resolution, the Security Council recognized for the first time that women’s active and meaningful involvement in political and security decision-making processes is linked with building sustainable peace and security. Two decades later, the implementation of the Women, Peace and Security agenda is slow to progress. As women are at the forefront in responding to crises in their communities and building dialogue and trust in times of conflict, they tend to be excluded from shaping the future of the societies they live in. Switzerland has a long history of engaging in the resolution of conflicts and is a trusted partner in peacebuilding. How are women included in these efforts? Four women working in this field in various roles share with us their views on women’s participation in peace processes.
Bains des Pâquis

Better together : the free spirit of Geneva’s Bains des Pâquis

Society
Ever since 1932, the heart of Geneva's harbour has been home to an odd-looking, reinforced concrete cruise ship that never leaves its spot. Its purpose? To give passengers from all walks of life a warm and friendly place of rest and relaxation. 365 days a year, they flock to it in their thousands from all four corners of the city – to eat, swim or just stroll around this jealously-guarded spot of freedom.

by Miguel Quintana