Delegates from all over the world are gathering in the lakeside town of Montreux this week for their annual Swiss Abroad Congress, focusing on how society can tackle the major challenges ahead.
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My work is focused on making videos and podcasts about science and technology topics. I specialize in developing explainatory video formats for mobile viewing, mixing animation and documentary styles.
I studied filmmaking and animation at Zurich University of the Arts and began working as a video journalist at SWI swissinfo.ch in 2004. Since then I have specialised in creating different styles of animation for our visual products.
I have a wealth of experience as a journalist working in Switzerland and enjoy producing videos, articles and podcasts on a range of subjects, recently focused mainly on politics and the environment.
Born in the UK, I studied law at Nottingham University, then went on to attend the first-ever post-graduate radio journalism college in London. After working as a radio journalist in the UK and then Switzerland from 1984 to 1995, I returned to the UK to complete a post-graduate diploma in film at Bournemouth Film School. I have been working as a video journalist ever since.
The Organisation for the Swiss Abroad (OSA) represents the interests of the so-called Fifth Switzerland – the 760,000 or so Swiss living abroad. They have invited leading figures from the world of economics, science and Swiss politics to discuss issues such as the effect of digitalisation on the workplace, migration and the mobility of the future.
Is Switzerland meeting the millennium targets?
The Congress will also address the Millennium Goals. In 2015 Switzerland signed the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development with its 17 goals (SDGs), strategies to improve health and education, reduce inequality and spur economic growth, while tackling climate change and working to preserve the environment.
Daniel Dubas from the Federal Office for Spatial Development (ARE) is a government delegate for Agenda 2030. He told swissinfo.ch about the Alpine country’s commitment to SDG 13, which calls for urgent action to combat climate change. Sylvie Durrer, Director of the Swiss Federal Office for Gender Equality, talks about SDG 5, which focuses on achieving gender equality and empowering all women and girls.
Is your place of origin, your Heimatort, important to you?
Every Swiss citizen has a Heimatort, a place of origin, but many have never visited theirs. What’s your relationship with your Heimatort? What does it mean to you?
What factors should be taken into account when inheriting Swiss citizenship abroad?
Should there be a limit to the passing on of Swiss citizenship? Or is the current practice too strict and it should still be possible to register after the age of 25?
You can find an overview of ongoing debates with our journalists here . Please join us!
If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.