Swiss Stories

© Évéquoz Ferreira architectes

Energypolis: the Swiss ecosystem for sustainable development

Science & Education
Since 2015, the city of Sion has been home to a global training and research hub in the field of sustainable development.Recent events have shaken the entire world, causing us to rethink our future. One of the approaches to safeguarding our future on this planet is sustainable development. Back in 1987, the World Commission on Environment and Development defined sustainable development as "development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs." It was on this premise that the campus in Sion was born. Since 2015, Energypolis has brought together EPFL Valais Wallis, HES-SO Valais-Wallis and The Ark Foundation under one roof. Thanks to the combined skills of these three partners, Energypolis is training tomorrow's thinkers – in energy, health and the environment.
Rorschach test

The Rorschach test, invented by a Swiss psychiatrist, turns 100

Science & Education
The world's best-known psychological personality test – the Rorschach inkblot – was created in Switzerland 100 years ago. Despite its somewhat mysterious nature, the test continues to be a mainstay of present-day culture and is still used in diagnosis.
Swiss Living Challenge

Solar Decathlon - Switzerland in pursuit of the house of tomorrow

Science & Education
The Swiss team at the Solar Decathlon 2017 is made up of students from four universities in the French-speaking part of Switzerland and is one of the finalists this year.
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.
Umweltpreis

Swiss Award for the environment

Science & Education
Profitability and sustainability are steadily becoming a reality in many areas. Each year the Business Award for the Environment is awarded to innovative projects that are environmentally friendly and economically viable.
earth from space

A Swiss astronaut on the launching pad!

Science & Education
Fulfilling a childhood dream is the stuff of a story worth telling. As a child, Marco Sieber was fascinated by space travel, reading many a book on the subject, and even building a model rocket with his brother. He could never have imagined that one day he might actually have the chance to experience space travel!

by John Durham

Senegal © Secours Protestant

The Swiss tap that saves water and lives

Science & Education
Good hand washing practice has come firmly into focus during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Amidst the clamour for hand sanitiser and protective face coverings in Europe, it must not be forgotten that there are around 3 billion people who are not able to wash their hands at home with soap and clean water. 1.7 million children die each year due to diseases transmitted by unclean hands. Exciting Swiss innovations, such as The Drop, recently recognised on UNICEF’s May 2020 list of ‘Handwashing Stations and Supplies for the COVID-19 response’, are being developed to meet these needs.