Swiss politicians with migrant backgrounds

Tama Vakeesan was born in Switzerland to Tamil parents from Sri Lanka. This week she visits the Swiss federal parliament building in the capital, Bern, and meets up with politicians with migrant backgrounds, including Corrado Pardini and Sibel Arslan. They explain why it's important to them not to forget their roots. (SRF Kulturplatz/swissinfo.ch)

This content was published on October 26, 2017 - 17:00

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Should the Swiss economy be adapted to the planet’s ecological limits?

What are your thoughts on the "environmental responsibility initiative" that will be decided on February 9, 2025.

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Dec 20, 2024

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As a Swiss Abroad, how do you feel about the emergence of more conservative family policies in some US states?

In recent years several US states have adopted more conservative policies on family issues, abortion and education. As a Swiss citizen living there, how do you view this development?

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Jan 23, 2025

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19 Comments

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Should nations spend more on foreign aid or are cutbacks justified?

Many countries are cutting back on foreign aid and Switzerland is among them. Do you think it is justified?

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Feb 6, 2025

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A Swiss-Lebanese-Iraqi stand-up comic

This content was published on Oct 19, 2017 Tama Vakeesan was born in Switzerland to Tamil parents from Sri Lanka. This week she meets comic, Hamza Rya. Everyone's a target for his jokes. (SRF Kulturplatz/ swissinfo.ch)

Tama and a People s Party representative

Is Switzerland being ‘Muslimised’?

This content was published on Oct 12, 2017 This week, Tama attends a conference of the conservative right Swiss People’s Party and finds out why they want to stop 'Muslimisation'.

Road habits that drive Tama crazy

This content was published on Oct 5, 2017 Fasten your seatbelt and find out what makes Tama see red when she's driving.

How joining a foreigners’ club can make you stronger

This content was published on Sep 28, 2017 Tama joins a club for foreign women called "Femmes-Tisch" in her home town of Langenthal, which helps members to integrate in Swiss society.

What Hindus and Muslims have in common

This content was published on Sep 21, 2017 Tama finds out what Muslims do in their mosques.

Why do Balkan boys get a bad rap?

This content was published on Sep 14, 2017

Flat tops, braids and corn rows

This content was published on Sep 7, 2017 Max Urban, a rapper, is Afro-Swiss and he can do things with his mouth that most white people can only dream of. (SRF Kulturplatz/swissinfo.ch)

What does it take to feel Swiss in Switzerland?

This content was published on Aug 31, 2017 Tama was born here to Tamil parents. Emily has Polish/Chinese roots and grew up in Canada. Emily feels Canadian but Tama doesn't feel that Swiss.

Tama talks to Tri, head of a Vietnamese summer camp.

Why language is not just about talking

This content was published on Aug 24, 2017 Tama visits a summer camp for young Vietnamese people growing up in Switzerland and finds out how language helps to unite the participants.

A life-changing art project

This content was published on Aug 17, 2017 This week, Tama visits the Kidswest Association set up a decade ago in Bern, which introduces art to disadvantaged children.

When Swiss kids are forced to go hiking

This content was published on Aug 10, 2017 What makes Swiss kids different from foreign kids growing up here? Tama Vakeesan discusses this with singer, Marco Kunz, from Lucerne.

Congolese do it in sunglasses

This content was published on Aug 3, 2017 Tama Vakeesan was born in Switzerland to Tamil parents from Sri Lanka. She talks to a comedian about how Congolese Swiss differ from Swiss natives.

Tama and the car freaks

This content was published on Jul 27, 2017 Tama Vakeesan was born in Switzerland – to Tamil parents from Sri Lanka. This week she visits a show organised by Tamils for car freaks.

When commuters are smelly, loud and rude

This content was published on Jul 20, 2017 Tama Vakeesan was born in Switzerland – to Tamil parents from Sri Lanka. Tama looks at the downsides of commuting here. (SRF Kulturplatz/swissinfo.ch)

Why do ethnic Albanians do the double-headed eagle?

This content was published on Jul 13, 2017 Tama Vakeesan was born in Switzerland – to Tamil parents from Sri Lanka. Sometimes it’s hard for Tama and her friends of different ethnic origins to stay true to family traditions. She asks Arjeta what being an ethnic Albanian means to her. (SRF Kulturplatz/swissinfo.ch)

Skin lightening: why do Tamil women do it?

This content was published on Jul 6, 2017 Tama Vakeesan was born in Switzerland to Tamil parents from Sri Lanka. This week, she investigates why Tamil women want to look paler. (SRF Kulturplatz/swissinfo.ch)

When your parents hate your career choices

This content was published on Jun 29, 2017 Swiss-born Tama Vakeesan has Tamil parents from Sri Lanka. Both she and her friend from Cameroon had trouble with their parents and career choices.

Tama, her brother, and the child asylum seekers at a refugee centre take a selfie

Re-visiting a refugee centre

This content was published on Jun 22, 2017 Tama Vakeesan visits a refugee centre for the first time since she herself was an asylum- seeker. Her Tamil parents fled the war in Sri Lanka.

Me and my mum

This content was published on Jun 15, 2017 Tama Vakeesan was born in Switzerland to parents from Sri Lanka. She speaks with her mother who explains what it was like to leave her home country.

Let the beat go on!

This content was published on Jun 8, 2017 Tama's friend Priya Ragu, a Swiss-born ethnic Tamil, explains how hard it is making her way in the music world without her parents' support.

Under suspicion

This content was published on Jun 1, 2017 Tama meets her friend Mondher, who is Swiss with Tunisian roots. He tells how not looking Swiss has got him into trouble.

Tama and the #Pussyhats

This content was published on May 25, 2017 Tama Vakeesan was born in Switzerland – to Tamil parents from Sri Lanka. In this episode, she takes part in the Zurich Women’s March and finds out why demonstrators are wearing pink “Pussyhats”, and how their four-legged allies are protesting too. (SRF Kulturplatz/swissinfo.ch)

What our food says about us

This content was published on May 18, 2017 Tama Vakeesan meets up with her friend Zoe, born in Switzerland to Greek parents, to find out whose mum is the best cook.

So what if I wear a headscarf?

This content was published on May 11, 2017 Tama Vakeesan finds out how wearing a headscarf affects the lives of some of her friends. (SRF Kulturplatz/swissinfo.ch)

My town – ordinary but extraordinary

This content was published on May 4, 2017 Tama Vakeesan was born in Switzerland to Tamil parents from Sri Lanka. She shows us her favourite places in her home town.

My big fat Tamil wedding

This content was published on Apr 27, 2017 Tama Vakeesan was born in Switzerland – to Tamil parents from Sri Lanka. Tama and her best friends have a clear vision of their dream man.

Swiss or Tamil? Caught in the middle

This content was published on Apr 18, 2017 Tama Vakeesan was born in Switzerland – to Tamil parents from Sri Lanka. Sometimes she doesn’t know where she belongs.

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