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Swiss Abroad

After 100 years, the Swiss Abroad Congress remains politically significant

While the Congress has evolved over the years, its core mission remains the same: to unite the Swiss Abroad and raise awareness of their specific needs.

By Olivier Pauchard

Swiss Abroad

100 years of Swiss Abroad congresses

By Julie Hunt

Swiss Abroad

Do Swiss pensioners living abroad ‘milk’ the system?

By Balz Rigendinger

Swiss Abroad

What are the Swiss Abroad contributions to Switzerland?

By Emilie Ridard

More and more Swiss are living abroad

two elderly people sitting on a bench in front of the sea

This content was published on Jul 11, 2024 The population of the Swiss Abroad is growing. For OSA director Ariane Rustichelli, these figures reflect an increasingly mobile society.

Three Kenyan schools in a girl are looking at the image of a world map on an iPad.

How the UN plans to connect every school to the internet by 2030

This content was published on Jul 11, 2024 Two Geneva-based UN agencies have an ambitious plan to get all schools around the world online by 2030. Project leader Alex Wong explains how they hope to do this.

Type of Russian missile that struck Kyiv children’s hospital includes Swiss components

This content was published on Jul 11, 2024 The Kremlin has turned to microprocessors and other technology not intended for military use to skirt sanctions, the Financial Times reports.

Switzerland Today

This content was published on Jul 10, 2024 CO2 saving cyclists, Davos drama, digital wills and deadbots

Swiss job market: cooling down, but labour shortages remain

This content was published on Jul 10, 2024 After several years of acute labour shortages, is the Swiss job market on its way towards a reprieve? Not quite, say analysts.

A majority of Swiss want closer ties to NATO – but with reservations

This content was published on Jul 10, 2024 The Swiss population’s view of the global security situation is bleaker than ever – a pessimism which in turn impacts its view of NATO.

Switzerland leads the way in the fight against ‘unexplained’ wage gaps

This content was published on Jul 9, 2024 Switzerland’s attempts to eliminate the gender pay gap are attracting attention worldwide.

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Swiss Film Selection

SWI swissinfo.ch offers a selection of Swiss films in English chosen from the Swiss streaming platform Play Suisse.

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“Let’s Talk” is SWI swissinfo.ch’s format to discuss relevant topics with high-profile experts and political figures.

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Check out our long format stories on topics like the Swiss pharma industry, Switzerland’s struggles with dirty gold, and living in the Alps.

Switzerland: How To

How do you dispose of rubbish in Switzerland? What are the visa requirements? It’s all here.

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We’d love to hear what you think about what’s going on in the world. You can find all of our debate questions here.

Inside Geneva – medical help in war zones

This content was published on Jul 9, 2024 From war-torn Sudan to Somalia and, finally, Gaza, these are some of the places Chris Lockyear, Secretary General of MSF, has visited during his career.

Parliament committees approve Swiss UNRWA payment

This content was published on Jun 22, 2024 The foreign affairs committees of the Swiss parliament have backed – with conditions – a donation of CHF10 million ($11.2 million) to the embattled UN agency.

A light blue sign surrounded be trees. In big letters at the centre it says, ‘west bank field office’. IAt the top in smaller lettering it says United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA), with ‘west bank’ in the bottom left and ‘Jerusalem’ bottom right.

Green light for Switzerland’s CHF10 million UNRWA contribution

This content was published on Jun 13, 2024 Switzerland is set to pay CHF10 million to UNRWA to cover the organisation’s most urgent needs in Gaza.

Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei

‘Less impressive and less important’: Switzerland’s role as an intermediary in Iran

This content was published on Jun 10, 2024 Cyrus Schayegh, a professor of international history at the Geneva Graduate Institute, discusses Iran’s future foreign policy and why Switzerland’s role in the region could fade.

Swiss Parliament calls for greater control of aid in Palestine

This content was published on Jun 5, 2024 The Senate has passed a proposal calling for stricter controls to ensure that funds are not used to finance terrorism.

Swiss House of Representatives does not want to recognise Palestine as a state

This content was published on Jun 4, 2024 By 131 votes to 61 with 2 abstentions, the House of Representatives said ‘no’ to the postulate put forth by the Social Democratic Party.

Protesters light flares as they take to the streets to call on the Israeli cabinet to sign a hostage deal and hold early elections during a demonstration in Tel Aviv, Israel, on June 1.

Switzerland backs Biden’s Gaza peace plan

This content was published on Jun 2, 2024 Switzerland supports a new peace proposal pushed by US President Joe Biden for a hostage agreement and a ceasefire in Gaza.

A woman in a brown top and brown and white headscarf is on her knees, screaming, amidst the wreckage of her tent. A child in a white striped blue Puma tracksuit is standing beside her.

Switzerland ‘extremely concerned’ about spiralling violence in Middle East

This content was published on May 30, 2024 Switzerland has strongly condemned Hamas’ recent rocket fire on Israel and Israel’s attacks on a camp for displaced people in Rafah.

Masked Palestinian members of the "Ezz Al-Din Al Qassam" militia, the military wing of Hamas, hold their weapons and pose for the media during a march on the streets of Gaza City, Wednesday, Sept. 4, 2013. Arabic on headband reads, "No God but Allah and Mohammed is his prophet, Ezz Al-Din Al Qassam brigade." (AP Photo/Adel Hana)

Swiss parties in favour of banning Hamas

This content was published on May 29, 2024 Swiss political parties want to ban Hamas and classify it as a terrorist organisation in Switzerland, which would prevent financing and propaganda activity.

Explainer: Switzerland and the recognition of Palestine

This content was published on May 24, 2024 On Wednesday Ireland, Spain and Norway said they would recognise a Palestinian state. What are the chances of Switzerland following suit?

Pro-Palestine uni protests to be debated in Swiss parliament

This content was published on May 20, 2024 The Swiss People’s Party says it will launch two postulates calling for clarifications about the recent student protests and occupations.

A group of students seated on the floor inside a university hall. In the middle of the group is a sign reading "UZH students against genocide".

Swiss student group condemns campus occupations

This content was published on May 17, 2024 Some aspects of pro-Palestine sit-ins have gone too far, but the right to protest and debate must be upheld, the student association has said.

Swiss police remove protestors from University of Bern.

Swiss police clear pro-Palestinian students protesting in Bern

This content was published on May 15, 2024 Police moved in early on Wednesday to remove some 30 pro-Palestinian student protesters from a Bern university building.

Red Cross sets up Rafah emergency field hospital

This content was published on May 14, 2024 The Geneva-based International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) and partners are opening a field hospital in southern Gaza on Tuesday.

Police clear out pro-Palestinian students protesting in Geneva

This content was published on May 14, 2024 The police intervened early on Tuesday to dislodge pro-Palestinian students who had been occupying the University of Geneva for almost a week.

How is your country dealing with the return of stolen artifacts?

Western nations like Switzerland often have to deal with the process of recovering or returning looted artifacts which have been illegally imported. What’s the situation like in your country?

Join the discussion

Jul 3, 2024

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100 years of Swiss Abroad congresses

This content was published on Jul 10, 2024 A look back at 100 years of the Swiss Abroad Congress

Breaking protocol: Jojo Mayer and the machine

This content was published on Jun 27, 2024 He is one of the most influential drummers of recent decades, known both as a skilled technician and a visionary. Jojo Mayer talks to SWI swissinfo.ch about technology, tradition – and the future of music.

I spy: political snooping around International Geneva

This content was published on Jun 25, 2024 Geneva is fertile ground for spies in search of state secrets. We visited four places that have left their mark on the history of espionage.

Demolished buildings offer new home for CO2 emissions

This content was published on Jun 20, 2024 A Swiss company believes it has a solution to help the concrete industry decarbonise and permanently remove one million tonnes of CO2 by 2030.

Geneva Conventions turn 75: are they still effective?

This content was published on Jun 11, 2024 This year marks the 75th anniversary of the Geneva Conventions. But how relevant are these, and international law, especially for younger generations?

Swiss reject health insurance initiative: the reactions

This content was published on Jun 9, 2024 Here is what supporters and opponents of the “Premium Relief Initiative” had to say after Sunday’s vote.

Fighting soil contamination with bacteria in Lausanne.

Pioneering research using dioxin-eating bacteria could help clean up Swiss city

This content was published on Jun 7, 2024 Dioxin-eating bacteria developed in a lab are to be used to help decontaminate polluted sites in Lausanne in western Switzerland.

Swiss politicians agree that healthcare system has to change – but how?

This content was published on May 30, 2024 Parliament believes the Swiss healthcare system needs to be reformed, but the solutions differ. We discuss the issue in our Let’s Talk programme.

Who is Swiss Eurovision winner Nemo?

This content was published on May 29, 2024 A documentary follows the career of Nemo Mettler, who won the Eurovision Song Contest 2024 for Switzerland.

What is at stake in the two initiatives on healthcare costs?

This content was published on May 22, 2024 Rising healthcare costs are the main concern of Swiss voters going to the ballot boxes on June 9.

The small robot aiming to explore volcanic tunnels on the moon

This content was published on May 7, 2024 In the not-too-distant future, a hopping Swiss-developed robot could be bound for the moon to pave the way for future missions.

How drug prices are negotiated in Switzerland and beyond

This content was published on Apr 23, 2024 Switzerland’s pharmaceutical sector supplies drugs worldwide, but not all countries receive them with the same price tag. Here’s why.

woman in black shirt pointing at camera with blue background and emojis

How you view the problem of low birth rates in Switzerland

This content was published on Apr 22, 2024 Why do you think the Swiss birthrate has fallen so low. What impact will this have?

Guerreiro do Divino Amor poses in front of the "Fountain of Helvetia", part of the installation at the Swiss Pavilion in Venice.

An Alpine carnival: Switzerland stars as a superfiction at the Venice Biennale

This content was published on Apr 20, 2024 The Swiss-Brazilian artist Guerreiro do Divino Amor will represent Switzerland for the 60th edition of the Venice Art Biennale.

Switzerland’s long-standing love of cartography

This content was published on Apr 17, 2024 Long world-renowned, Swiss maps have in recent years managed to reach a wider public.

External Content

Reuters International

This content was published on Jul 11, 2024 – 21:49

Ukraine urges NATO to lift restrictions on targeting Russia, China denounces criticism

This content was published on Jul 11, 2024 – 21:30

Factbox-Britain shakes up listing rules to attract companies to London

This content was published on Jul 11, 2024 – 21:29

UK reverses oil drilling permission, drops coal mine defence after court ruling

This content was published on Jul 11, 2024 – 21:28

One miner dead after tremor in Poland, one still missing

This content was published on Jul 11, 2024 – 21:27

Russia tried to assassinate CEO of arms firm sending weapons to Ukraine, CNN reports

This content was published on Jul 11, 2024 – 20:46

Genome evidence points to plague in Stone Age European population crash

This content was published on Jul 11, 2024 – 20:27

Zelenskiy says Ukraine ‘very close’ to achieving its NATO membership goal

This content was published on Jul 11, 2024 – 20:23

Ukraine gets new $225 million US military aid after Biden meets Zelenskiy

This content was published on Jul 11, 2024 – 19:55

Ukraine’s ex army chief Zaluzhnyi starts as ambassador to UK

This content was published on Jul 11, 2024 – 19:09

Israel says Hamas ceasefire demands at odds with deal blueprint

This content was published on Jul 11, 2024 – 18:55

Gazan paramedic recounts alleged mistreatment in Israeli detention

This content was published on Jul 11, 2024 – 18:41

Relief in Rouen as cathedral fire extinguished

This content was published on Jul 11, 2024 – 18:36

Rights veteran compares Russian justice to Nazis as court upholds his jail sentence

This content was published on Jul 11, 2024 – 18:34

President Biden on ‘really good form’ in talks, UK PM Starmer says

This content was published on Jul 11, 2024 – 18:33

At least 65 pilot whales die in Scottish mass stranding

This content was published on Jul 11, 2024 – 18:24

Hungary will not support NATO becoming ‘anti-China’ bloc, minister says

This content was published on Jul 11, 2024 – 18:22

London stocks end higher on boost from utilities

This content was published on Jul 11, 2024 – 18:15

Some EU states won’t send ministers to presidency meetings in protest at Orban’s Russia trip

This content was published on Jul 11, 2024 – 18:05

Hugs, handshakes greet UK’s Starmer at NATO in post-election honeymoon

This content was published on Jul 11, 2024 – 17:39

Human remains found in suitcases at UK’s Clifton Suspension Bridge

Bloomberg Business

This content was published on Jul 11, 2024 – 20:32

Stock Rotation Hits Megacaps on Bets Fed Will Cut: Markets Wrap

This content was published on Jul 11, 2024 – 16:51

European Cocoa Grinds Show Surprise Jump Despite Surging Prices

This content was published on Jul 11, 2024 – 16:02

Barry Callebaut Sinks as Cocoa Costs Drag on Chocolate Sales

This content was published on Jul 11, 2024 – 00:18

S&P 500 Tops 5,600 Mark in Longest Rally This Year: Markets Wrap

This content was published on Jul 10, 2024 – 17:47

Greece Battles Wildfires as Heat Builds Across Mediterranean

This content was published on Jul 10, 2024 – 15:40

UBS Financial Services Banker Sam Reinhart to Join BC Partners

This content was published on Jul 10, 2024 – 12:58

Swiss Retailer Migros Taps Banks for $1 Billion Asset Sale

This content was published on Jul 10, 2024 – 10:27

Private Credit Funds Take On Wall Street’s Least Loved Label

This content was published on Jul 9, 2024 – 23:30

BofA Taps UBS’s Top Insurance Investment Banker George Matsuzaka

This content was published on Jul 9, 2024 – 22:41

S&P 500 Holds Gains as Fed Bets Steady on Powell: Markets Wrap

This content was published on Jul 9, 2024 – 17:15

Logitech Snubs Founder, Denies Request for a New Chair Vote

This content was published on Jul 8, 2024 – 22:24

S&P 500 Ekes Out Gain to Notch 35th Record in 2024: Markets Wrap

This content was published on Jul 8, 2024 – 19:17

Juice Pouch Brand Capri-Sun Is Exploring Minority Stake Sale

This content was published on Jul 5, 2024 – 22:16

Stocks Up as Path to September Fed Cut Gets Wider: Markets Wrap

This content was published on Jul 5, 2024 – 17:03

SNB Is Comfortable on Inflation Situation, Jordan Tells Le Temps

This content was published on Jul 5, 2024 – 13:32

Beryl Makes Landfall on Mexico’s Yucatan With Hurricane Wind

This content was published on Jul 5, 2024 – 13:32

Beryl Makes Landfall on Mexico’s Yucatan With Hurricane Wind

This content was published on Jul 5, 2024 – 11:25

Beryl Nears Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula With Hurricane Winds

This content was published on Jul 5, 2024 – 10:54

Europe’s Cheap Airline Stocks Fail to Get a Peak Season Boost

This content was published on Jul 5, 2024 – 05:49

Glencore Coal Deal Approved by Canada as Teck Plans Buyback

Swiss coffee trader in Guatemala: corrupt or victim of corruption?

This content was published on Jul 9, 2024 Swiss citizen Ulrich Gurtner is being framed by corrupt prosecutors, his supporters claim.

A doctor weighing mushrooms for therapeutic use

Is psychedelic therapy about to go mainstream?

This content was published on Jul 8, 2024 At the Geneva University Hospital, patients can benefit from the only psychedelic-assisted therapy offering in Switzerland. Are such treatments set to spread?

Inside Geneva – medical help in war zones

This content was published on Jul 9, 2024 From war-torn Sudan to Somalia and, finally, Gaza, these are some of the places Chris Lockyear, Secretary General of MSF, has visited during his career.

a yellow butterfly as a decoration in a school class.

‘A disability is a characteristic like the colour of your eyes’

This content was published on Jul 7, 2024 Marah Rikli – mother of a nine-year-old with a developmental disorder – talks to SWI swissinfo.ch about inclusive education, social roles, injustice and diversity.

Albert Anker's "The Reader" (Die Lesende), 1883. The exhibition at the Bern Museum of Fine Arts highlights the artist as a promoter of literacy for women when this idea was a taboo.

The revival of Albert Anker: from old-school artist to progressive activist

This content was published on Jul 6, 2024 The quintessential Swiss artist, much-loved by traditionalists, has found new praise as an early advocate of women’s education.

How scam networks use fake celebrity ads to lure online investors

This content was published on Jul 5, 2024 Investor beware: online promises of quick profits are not always as legitimate as they look. Swiss public broadcaster, SRF, looked into a Cyprus-based network of scam websites.

Switzerland, Dada and 100 years of Surrealism

View of the exhibition "Surrealism. The Great Game", at the Lausanne Museum of Fine Arts (MCBA)

This content was published on Jun 18, 2024 Why did Dada disappear from Switzerland after it was launched in Zurich in 1916? Curator Juri Steiner sets the record straight.

The Swiss who taught Americans about direct democracy

This content was published on Jun 15, 2024 The movement for direct democracy in the United States began in Zurich. It is closely associated with the story of the Swiss socialist Karl Bürkli.

On the surface, cameras everywhere. Behind the woman taking a selfie, an army of photographers try to catch the red carpet at the festival palace. And beneath it all, the Marché du Film, where the deals are done.

Small country, deep pockets: how to make (and fund) films in Switzerland

This content was published on Jun 11, 2024 Switzerland was the ‘guest of honour’ of the Marché du Film at Cannes this year.

The traditional potato dish Rösti has become a symbol of the Swiss linguistic divide.

Oui or nein: are languages a major fault line in Swiss direct democracy?

This content was published on Jun 10, 2024 Measures to tackle rising healthcare costs won the backing of French- and Italian speaking Switzerland but failed to pass a nationwide vote.

view of snow mountain and blue sky. Location at Swiss Aletsch Glacier. Two glaciologists walking on the Glacier.

Swiss glaciers remain under threat despite huge winter snowfall

This content was published on Jun 7, 2024 Swiss glaciologist Matthias Huss on the impact of the recent huge dump of snow on Swiss glaciers and why the long-term future of the shrinking Alpine glaciers remains grim.

Should Swiss women emulate fighter pilot’s success?

This content was published on Jun 7, 2024 Switzerland’s sole female fighter aircraft pilot, Fanny Chollet, could be an inspiration for other women.

Pioneering research using dioxin-eating bacteria could help clean up Swiss city

This content was published on Jun 7, 2024 Dioxin-eating bacteria developed in a lab are to be used to help decontaminate polluted sites in Lausanne in western Switzerland.

In Focus

Taiwan: a model democracy

Taiwan has developed into an exemplary democracy. This can be seen in schools as well as in election campaigns – despite or because of its precarious status.