Let Switzerland Surprise You!

Democracy

Switzerland Decides

On November 30, Switzerland’s voters went to the polls to cast ballots on four initiatives and one referendum as part of the nation’s famous direct democracy system. Swiss voters passed by 52% an initiative to do away with the statute of limitations for prosecuting pedophile crimes. This is only the sixteenth initiative (of 169) to be passed since 1891.  Swiss voters rejected, however, the other three initiatives at hand. These included a proposal to legalize cannabis (rejected by 63%), a proposal by trade unions to introduce a flexible retirement age (rejected by 59%), and a proposal to limit the power of environmental groups in building projects (rejected by 66%).  Meanwhile, in a referendum vote, Swiss voters upheld by 68% the government’s drug policy, which includes heroin distribution for addicts under a strictly controlled program. Read more about the results of Switzerland’s vote.

Swiss Government Goes Electronic

A click of the mouse will soon replace paperwork and visits to government offices for Swiss citizens. Launched in 2007, Switzerland’s comprehensive eGovernment strategy is now on its way to implementation. You can read all about it at www.egovernment.ch, a new website established to provide detailed information about the strategy, its roadmap and priority projects. The plan prioritizes government transactions for businesses and individuals, such as company formation, customs clearance, and construction permits. E-voting is also on the list of priorities. All projects are designed to make administrative functions more convenient for users and more efficient for the government. The strategy is scheduled to be completed by 2013.

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Innovation

Tiny but Deadly

Nanoparticles may sound like something out of a science fiction movie, but they are very real, very small (1 millionth of a millimeter) and potentially very devastating to the environment. Increasingly used in many kinds of household products—paints, socks, detergents, food packaging—these substances are eventually washed into the environment. Particularly harmful are silver nanoparticles that are toxic to fish. To understand and combat these threats, Switzerland has inaugurated a new Center for Applied Ecotoxicology. The center is a joint effort between the Swiss Federal Institute of Aquatic Science and Technology (Eawag) and the Federal Institute of Technology Lausanne (EPFL). Its goal is to conduct cutting-edge research and consulting on nanoparticles, endocrines, and other environmentally toxic materials.

Showcasing Swiss Design

Sleek, functional, attractive —and above all, innovative: These are just some of the adjectives that describe the winners of the prestigious Swiss Design Award (Design Preis Schweiz). Held every two years by the Design Center Langenthal in Switzerland, the Swiss Design Award is one of the most renowned events in the Swiss design community. Winners regularly tour design centers throughout Europe. This year, [Back to Press Releases Main]