Direct Democracy and how to re-wire the brain

Keystone/Samuel Truempy

Here are the stories we're following in the week of April 27, 2015.

Put to the test – direct democracy

Is too much people power a good thing? That is one of the questions to be debated at the international Europa ForumExternal link in Lucerne on Monday. Heading the list of speakers is this year’s Swiss president, Simonetta Sommaruga. Politicians from the left, right and centre will also be on hand to express their opinions. The debate comes only a few weeks ahead of the next series of votes in Switzerland – another chance for Swiss voters to have the final say, and not politicians!

Keystone

First national conference on older workers

On Monday Economics Minister Johann Schneider-Ammann will meet union representatives and cantonal and federal officials behind closed doors to come up with ways to tackle unemployment in people over 50. The unions say older workers are not only overlooked when it comes to training, and then cast out by employers, but also suffer from long term unemployment – impacting individuals and pensions.

INSERM-CEA

Tricking the brain into re-wiring itself

Neuroscience is a thriving area of science. There is now a global movement of big brain projects, including European Union-funded Human Brain Project, the US BRAIN Initiative, and others in Australia, China, Japan and Israel. In Switzerland, the Lake Geneva region, and in particular EPFL are key players in this field. On Wednesday swissinfo.ch will take a look at several novel hi-tech brain research projects showcased at the EPFL Brain Forum.

(KEYSTONE/ Ti-Press/Carlo Reguzzi)

Milan shows its real self at world fair

Expo Milano 2015 opens its doors to the public on May 1, and expects to welcome about 20 million people over the next six months. But not all of the infrastructure will be completed on time due to budget problems and corruption. When it is all ready, the fair devoted to food sustainability is expected to be a green oasis in the heart of the depressed post-industrial outskirts of the Italian city. The Swiss pavilionExternal link – which will open on time – will be serving dried apple rings washed down either with Nestlé coffee or tap water.

What you may have missed

Did you know that 24% of cases of domestic abuse in Switzerland are against men? The country’s first men-only refuge opened up five years ago. We went to visit, finding out how attitudes have changed since and how much demand there is for such a shelter.