Swiss Abroad

Expats enter long-distance election race

This content was published on Aug 20, 2007 The motives could not be more different, as swissinfo learned from three members of the Swiss Abroad community at a congress last weekend in Geneva. In his polo shirt, and with his white shock of hair and distinctive Swiss-German dialect of Schaffhausen, Edgar Studer is somehow a typical Swiss if appearances are anything to go…

Swiss Politics

Some religions are more welcome than others

This content was published on Aug 20, 2007 For while some non-native religions have proved easy bedfellows for the Swiss, others – notably Islam – have found it more difficult to be accepted. So much so in the case of Islam that Swiss Muslims currently face the prospect of seeing the construction of minarets put to a nationwide vote. The rightwing campaign to…

Swiss Politics

Thousands displaced by crisis in Afghanistan

This content was published on Aug 20, 2007 Walter Kälin, the United Nations representative for the human rights of internally displaced persons (IDPs), says the dangerous security situation in the country means it is almost impossible to get help to those in need. “Humanitarian access is a huge problem and is very limited. Humanitarian workers have been killed, have been attacked and right…

Swiss Politics

Swiss ambassador hails Chinese Olympics

This content was published on Aug 19, 2007 Martinelli said that China would be able to address delicate issues such as human rights and the environment. He also hopes that Switzerland can boost its image in the country. The ambassador, who has been in the post since 2004, has been hosting a delegation from Swiss Olympic, Switzerland’s national Olympic committee. Officials were in…

Swiss Politics

Expatriates provide link with rest of world

This content was published on Aug 18, 2007 Speaking in Geneva on Saturday at the annual congress of the Organisation of the Swiss Abroad (OSA), she promised to look more closely at the needs of citizens living outside the country. “You chose to live abroad and yet remain Swiss,” said Calmy-Rey. She pointed out that citizens living abroad provided a valuable “social, cultural,…

Swiss Politics

Political pressure builds on Swiss Abroad

This content was published on Aug 17, 2007 Jacques-Simon Eggly, elected on Friday as president of the OSA, which is currently in congress in Geneva, acknowledges the organisation has an influence on Swiss politics but is wary of it turning into a “political battleground”. Switzerland’s main political parties appear to be waking up to the potential of voters who live abroad. At present,…

Swiss Politics

Aid efforts get underway after Peru quake

This content was published on Aug 16, 2007 The Geneva-based International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies sent emergency supplies, while Swiss experts evaluate the situation and help coordinate aid in the devastated region. A first team of local aid specialists travelled to the central coastal region of Peru immediately after the tremor struck on Wednesday night local time, said the…

Swiss Politics

Geneva welcomes hundreds of expatriate Swiss

This content was published on Aug 16, 2007 Rudolf Wyder, director of the Organisation of the Swiss Abroad, tells swissinfo that education cuts and the shrinking consular network are just some of the concerns shared by expatriates. swissinfo: What is the point of a congress, such as the one you’re holding in Geneva? Rudolf Wyder: These congresses are always dedicated to a theme…

Swiss Politics

Parties take political aim at Swiss abroad

This content was published on Aug 15, 2007 Most are on the list of the rightwing Swiss People’s Party. Its biggest rival, the centre-left Social Democrats, have failed to field any candidates. Switzerland’s main political parties appear to be waking up to the potential of voters who live abroad. At present, almost one in ten Swiss – around 650,000 people – live in…

Swiss Politics

Olympic fever grips Beijing ahead of 2008 Games

This content was published on Aug 8, 2007 The head of the Swiss Olympic delegation, Werner Augsburger, was among the country representatives attending the spectacle on Tiananmen Square 12 months ahead of the opening ceremony. More than a million people made their way to the city park as sunshine broke through the smog for the first time this week on Wednesday. Security was…

Swiss Abroad

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