Swiss Stories

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.
Frutiger font

Adrian Frutiger, forever true to type

Society
Adrian Frutiger, who died in 2015, was one of the most influential Swiss typographers of the 20th century. His work, exemplified by the Univers typeface, was a precursor for the way typography is approached today.
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.
AlpTransit © AlpTransit Gotthard AG

The Swiss construction project of the century – linking northern and southern Europe

Economics
138 years after the completion of the legendary Gotthard railway tunnel – already a masterpiece in 1882 – a new milestone has been reached on the historic Gotthard route. The opening of the Ceneri Base Tunnel on 4 September 2020 marks the completion of the construction project of the century – the New Rail Link through the Alps (NRLA), which forms the core of Europe's main north-south freight route extending from Rotterdam to Genoa. Following on from the Lötschberg and Gotthard base tunnels, this is the last piece of the jigsaw puzzle to complete the flat-track rail link through the Alps.
Towards clean mobility

Zero carbon transport to help the environment

Environment
Swiss companies are committed to cleaner mobility and reducing the amount of pollution caused by transportation.
Swiss made plastic house

Upcycling: Swiss made plastic house

Environment
Switzerland is often cited as a model for recycling because of the rubbish collection, waste separation and waste recovery methods deployed. Public bodies, research institutes, companies and citizens are taking action to reduce their impact on the environment and society. Businesses are innovating and developing technologies for resource management, rubbish collection and recycling more effectively with a view to creating a more circular economy.
Zurich vitaparcours

Zurich vitaparcours, not just a sports concept – an institution

Society
For more than 50 years now, thousands of people in Switzerland have been pursuing a type of outdoor sport that involves being creative and getting close to nature. Sportsmen and women of all abilities use these outdoor trails on a daily basis – either running or making their way through the forest at a more gentle pace.