Switzerland

Immigrant youth are ‘Made in Switzerland’

by Susanne Schanda in Lucerne, swissinfo.ch A new book indicates that religion plays an important role in identity-building among adolescents with immigrant backgrounds in Switzerland. The authors of “Youth, Migration and Religion”, which was presented at a roundtable at Lucerne University, say public discourse on immigrants has changed in Switzerland […]

Indian president pays state visit to Switzerland

The Swiss government is hosting Indian President Pratibha Patil in the capital Bern for talks on boosting bilateral relations, including financial and research cooperation. During the two-day visit Patil will be received by the entire cabinet, including President and Foreign Minister Micheline Calmy-Rey, and will travel to the Lake Geneva […]

Switzerland sends election supplies to Tunisia

Switzerland has donated 12,000 ballot boxes to Tunisia to help the North African country conduct constituent assembly elections later this month. The Tunisian elections will coincide with Switzerland’s parliamentary elections on October 23. These will be Tunisia’s first free elections since the fall of ousted president Zine el-Abidine Ben Ali […]

Free churches gain ground

Source: Swissinfo Twice as many people attend services each week in free – mostly evangelical – churches as in the state-recognised Protestant Church. That is according to findings published on Thursday as part of a National Science Foundation project investigating religions, the state and society. Twenty-nine per cent of all […]

Swiss Muslims deal with 9/11

by Julia Slater, swissinfo.ch Ten years ago Islamic extremists flew three planes into three iconic US buildings and the fall-out is still being felt. Muslims suddenly found themselves being regarded with suspicion as potential terrorists in many countries and their religion denigrated. Like most people who saw the attacks on […]

Campaigner for active neutrality bows out

by Armando Mombelli, swissinfo.ch Swiss President Micheline Calmy-Rey has officially announced her resignation, it emerged on Wednesday. During her years in government, Calmy-Rey’s style and actions have often spurred criticism, but Swiss diplomacy has gained in international visibility. The 66-year-old, who is also foreign minister, will not put herself up […]

Switzerland named most competitive country

Switzerland remains the most competitive country, according to the World Economic Forum’s Global Competitiveness Report for 2011-2012. The report, published on Wednesday, cited Switzerland’s technological capabilities and the effectiveness of its labour market as reasons for its good results in the overall rankings. It also said that Swiss scientific research […]