Swiss Identity

Making a brand new start in old NY

This content was published on Nov 1, 2014 Rudy Burckhardt (1914-1999) went to New York for the first time when he was 21 – and decided straight away that he wanted to stay. It marked the start of the Swiss migrant's love of photography.

Education

Cantons stick to two foreign languages model

This content was published on Oct 31, 2014 Primary school pupils should continue to learn two national languages plus English, according to the Conference of Cantonal Education Directors (CDIP). However, it doesn’t want to take a concrete decision until next year. The CDIP said at its general meeting in Basel on Friday that it would continue to work towards an intercantonal solution in this direction, but added that time was needed for the early language programme to be tested, assessed and, if necessary, adapted. This risks upsetting the House of Representative’s education committee, which had already put pressure on the cantons at the beginning of October, to make a second national language obligatory in primary schools. The committee threatened to launch an initiative on the issue depending on the CDIP’s stance. It is set to make statement on the initiative’s text during the winter parliamentary session, which begins on November 24. Controversy Language teaching and the usefulness of English versus French or German have been in the headlines recently. Following a decision by the CDIP in 2004, all children are supposed to learn a second Swiss language plus English by the fifth year of primary school. But the reality is more complicated. French and bilingual cantons object to the fact that English has become the first non-native language taught at primary level in numerous German-speaking cantons. Recently officials in German-speaking cantons Thurgau and Nidwalden called for French to be dropped from primary school and taught in secondary school classes. Some people fear that other cantons may follow.

Demographics

Iraqis arrested for suspected planned attack

This content was published on Oct 31, 2014 The Federal Prosecutor’s Office has confirmed that three Iraqi citizens were arrested at the end of March. The men are under suspicion of planning an attack in Europe. The office confirmed the arrests for the first time on Friday, after weeks of speculative media reports. In addition to allegations of planning an attack, they are alleged…

Demographics

Fitness, the Swiss example

This content was published on Oct 31, 2014

Are the mountains becoming theme parks?

This content was published on Oct 31, 2014

Demographics

Historic Piccard submarine restored

This content was published on Oct 31, 2014 The “Auguste Piccard” submarine is now on display in Lucerne’s transport museum.

Demographics

National registry mooted to boost cancer prevention

This content was published on Oct 29, 2014 The bill foresees a uniform system for the collection of cancer data by the existing 15 cantonal registries and the national childhood cancer database. That system will be nationally analysed every year to better understand the status of cancer in Switzerland. According to the Federal Health Office, patient data would rendered anonymous before being included…

Demographics

Swiss pledge more funds for refugee crises and Ebola

This content was published on Oct 29, 2014 The government has pledged an additional CHF40 million ($42.2 million) for the victims of the conflicts in Syria and Iraq as well as for efforts to contain the spread of the Ebola virus in western Africa. Half the money to fight the virus will be used on prevention and treatment, boosting healthcare systems and tackling…

Demographics

Cameras watch over Geneva’s Pâquis district

This content was published on Oct 29, 2014 On October 15, 2014, the Geneva authorities announced that 23 CCTV cameras were in operation in part of the Pâquis district. Located between the lake and Cornavin train station, the district in the city centre is best known for its colourful blend of cultures, restaurants and shops, five-star hotels, relatively cheap accommodation and for being…

Culture

Language vote would be ‘dangerous’ for Switzerland

This content was published on Oct 28, 2014 Any escalation in the current foreign language teaching controversy in Switzerland that leads to a vote would be dangerous and leave “difficult-to-heal” wounds, warns a prominent linguist.

Swiss Identity

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Swiss Identity

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Making a brand new start in old NY

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Cantons stick to two foreign languages model

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Iraqis arrested for suspected planned attack

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Fitness, the Swiss example

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Are the mountains becoming theme parks?

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Historic Piccard submarine restored

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National registry mooted to boost cancer prevention

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Swiss pledge more funds for refugee crises and Ebola

More

Cameras watch over Geneva’s Pâquis district

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Language vote would be ‘dangerous’ for Switzerland

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