Why direct democracy is also a stage for political parties to fight for attention
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Popular votes may appear to reflect the pure “will of the people,” but they also function as a stage for political parties, argues Dutch political scientist Toine Paulissen.
The Board of Peace must address the basic needs of the Palestinian population
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Civilian safety and access to basic infrastructure must dominate the agenda of all Gaza peace talks, argues a Palestinian writer.
Governments and industry must work across the cocoa and gold sector to address child labour
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Eliminating child labour in one sector risks merely displacing it into another unless complex social and economic systems are addressed comprehensively.
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When the right to information is under threat on several continents, press freedom becomes a matter of democratic urgency, says the director-general of Reporters Without Borders.
‘International law is either universal or meaningless’
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Alain Berset, former Swiss government minister and current Secretary General of the Council of Europe, argues that we are witnessing the return of a Cold War mind-set.
How Switzerland can move towards an independent digital future
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Switzerland should free itself from its digital dependence on international big tech, writes David Sommer from the Digitale Gesellschaft.
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Strong, independent media and a high level of media literacy are key to strengthening a population’s resilience to disinformation, says Swiss Defence Minister Martin Pfister.
What deportation opponents in the US can learn from Switzerland
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Did Americans vote for the deportation raids in schools? Historian Lauren Stokes points to the lessons of Swiss direct democracy.
Global trade under strain: why rules still matter for nations like Switzerland
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Former chief economist of the WTO, Ralph Ossa, explains why economies such as Switzerland need to defend and adapt the rules-based system.
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Former ambassador Paul Widmer argues in favour of accepting the neutrality initiative, as Swiss neutrality depends on international recognition for its credibility and effectiveness.
China and the US are dining and dashing at the UN: it’s time to stop them
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The world needs to get China and the US to pay their part at the UN, writes Phil Lynch from the International Service for Human Rights (ISHR).
Averting conflict can become Switzerland’s role in Arctic science diplomacy
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Switzerland is making meaningful contributions to Arctic governance and multilateral dialogue, as the Arctic becomes a geopolitical and environmental epicentre.
Switzerland keeps profits derived from foreign bribery. It shouldn’t.
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Switzerland should stop this practice. Not only for the sake of its reputation, but also for its own benefit, argues Andrew Dornbierer.
Swissinfo under pressure: a question of political will
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Swissinfo builds important bridges to the homeland for the Swiss Abroad, but the service is threatened by planned federal cuts.
Bias isn’t just in algorithms but in the words we choose
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The launch of Switzerland’s Apertus model highlights how even a Latin ending can carry centuries of cultural weight, argues inclusive communication specialist Claudia Vaccarone.
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The International Court of Justice (ICJ) has to decide on whether Israel’s alleged crimes in Gaza amount to a genocide. Key to the ruling will be proving intent.
Why Switzerland must put human rights at the core of the OSCE
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The OSCE presidency presents an opportunity to refocus the organisation on one of its core mission, argue Eleonora Mongelli and Florian Irminger.
In Eastern Europe corruption lies at heart of polarisation
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Political scientist Daniel Bochsler argues that the polarisation in Eastern Europe is more about criminal connections than content.
The trade agreement between India and EFTA countries comes just at the right time
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The new trade agreement between India and EFTA countries, of which Switzerland is part, is more than a trade deal argues economist Saon Ray.
