Switzerland has blind spot for democratic India’s repression of critics abroad
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India pressures critics abroad. Yet its reputation as the world’s largest democracy shields its conduct from scrutiny, argues Shrey Kapoor.
Having fewer nuclear tests was a choice – and will be in future
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The tools to stop a return to nuclear testing already exist. Ahead of the International Day against Nuclear Tests, CTBTO chief Robert Floyd calls for the political will to put them to work.
International Youth Day should recognise young people’s common dissatisfaction
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The global Gen Z movements expose a widening gap between young people and the institutions that claim to represent them, argues Prathit Singh.
To save football, it’s time to start over – beyond FIFA
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Rather than try to reform FIFA, a better option would be to abolish it and replace it with a new world body, argues ethics expert Thomas Beschorner.
What Switzerland needs to learn from earlier and longer heatwaves
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The exceptional heatwave in June highlighted the difficulties in coping with these new climatic extremes, says climatologist Sonia Seneviratne.
Switzerland has done little more than bare minimum to improve transparency of its financial system
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Switzerland is not doing enough to address the risks of money laundering, corruption and tax evasion, say Andres Knobel and Bob Michel of the Tax Justice Network.
In Switzerland, the real debate on citizens’ assemblies begins now
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Citizens’ assemblies are not in crisis; quite the opposite. For political scientist Andri Heimann, the most exciting phase is just about to start.
What kind of democracy should Switzerland promote?
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Switzerland’s distinctive understanding of democracy should not guide its work promoting democracy abroad, argues political scientist Daniel Bochsler.
Swiss public backs development aid even as politicians cut budgets
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Most people support funding for development cooperation or would even like to see it increased, write Dina Pomeranz and Deborah Kistler.
Responsible sourcing programmes of chocolate companies have failed the stress test
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Farmer poverty cannot be addressed through corporate commitments or investor dialogue with chocolate companies, argues Emma Farrell.
Smart cities and surveillance: why democracies must not lose control
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The dominance of private companies in urban technology makes surveillance possible even in democratic systems like Switzerland, warns digital surveillance expert Jasmin Dall’Agnola.
Africa’s heritage in Switzerland: what should the mandate of museums be?
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Restitution can play a central role in relations with African partners, says Samuel Bachmann, curator of the African collections at the Bern Historical Museum.
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In Afghanistan, women and girls in particular are paying the price for failed policies. The Afghan Fund in Geneva should finally act to recapitalise the Central Bank, writes Norah Niland.
War in outer space is coming: Why Switzerland should play a role
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The risk of military escalation in space is growing. Switzerland should take a stance on this issue, writes Clémence Piorier.
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The initiative to cap the Swiss population at 10 million is not just about how much growth a country can absorb – it also raises the question of who gets to count as being fully part.
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.
