Archive – Science

Swiss told to value young immigrants

This content was published on Jun 24, 2003 It has issued a series of recommendations aimed at improving their negative image and integrating them better into Swiss society. In its 80-page report published on Tuesday, the Federal Commission for Youth stressed that the basic rights of young foreigners were being ignored. It called for them to be granted special legal status. “We must…

Swiss biotech gathers in Washington

This content was published on Jun 23, 2003 More than 3,300 delegates from 50 countries, including scientists, investors and ministers have descended on Washington for Bio 2003. The four-day conference, which opened on Sunday, is hosting the largest gathering of Swiss biotech professionals ever held outside Europe. “It gives Switzerland a chance to showcase its expertise,” John Williamson of the economic development agency,…

Innovation recognised by de Vigier awards

This content was published on Jun 21, 2003 The Swiss entrepreneurs behind the projects were each handed a cheque for SFr100,000 ($75,600) at a ceremony this week in Solothurn. The WA de Vigier Foundation – the largest organisation in Switzerland that supports young entrepreneurs – said it had rewarded two innovative ideas with the potential to be developed commercially. Thun physicist Katrin Fuhrer…

Wind power blown off course

This content was published on Jun 20, 2003 Even environmentalists are raising doubts about the energy source, and not just on aesthetic grounds. Switzerland, which was considered as being in the vanguard of research into and development of renewable sources of energy, now runs the risk of being overtaken by many other European countries. Wind power in particular is being held back by…

No development without equality

This content was published on Jun 20, 2003 Delegates discussed how poverty in the developing world cannot be overcome without equal opportunities for men and women. The conference – hosted by the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) – called for “gender mainstreaming” in all aspects of development work, meaning that future aid projects must be assessed in terms of their impact…

Young talents go for gold in career challenge

This content was published on Jun 20, 2003 But no footballs or tennis rackets were required for the St Gallen event, which tested the entrants’ skills in various careers. The career world championships was staged by the World Skills organisation for the 37th time, having begun its life as an effort to boost interest in apprenticeships following the Second World War. And as…

Subterranean lake comes back from the dead

This content was published on Jun 16, 2003 Its resurrection is down to the faith and perseverance of local people who raised the SFr2.5 million ($1.9 million) necessary to carry out the repairs. The lake at St Léonard in canton Valais is nearly 300 metres long, has an average width of 15 metres and remains at a constant 11 degrees Celsius. But disaster…

Urban sprawl threatens Swiss heartland

This content was published on Jun 15, 2003 The authors of “Urbanscape Switzerland” also argue that the existing authorities are not well equipped to deal with this urban sprawl. The spread of cities into their surrounding countryside is not a new phenomenon, of course. Nor is it uniquely Swiss. But the study’s authors believe that the Swiss are still uninformed about the changes…

Poised for glory

This content was published on Jun 14, 2003 Coach Köbi Kuhn spoke to swissinfo about past problems and future hopes. On Wednesday the Swiss beat Albania 3-2 in Geneva and they now lead their qualifying group by two points. Only the group winners receive automatic qualification for Euro 2004, which is being held in Portugal. swissinfo: After an eight-year absence from the European…

Aid agency takes Swiss to task over drug access

This content was published on Jun 12, 2003 The humanitarian medical aid agency claims the issue is virtually absent from Switzerland’s political debate. “Switzerland lacks a coherent policy on access to pharmaceuticals,” said Thomas Linde, head of MSF Switzerland. “Their failure to propose concrete measures to improve access to health care in developing countries is unworthy of the Swiss.” According to MSF, diseases…

Archive – Science

Popular Stories

Most Discussed