Lucius Caflisch has been appointed chairman of the United Nations International Law Commission. The panel of independent legal experts is preparing most multilateral conventions.

The foreign ministry considers the appointment of 76-year-old Caflisch a mark of recognition for the former dean of the Geneva-based Graduate Institute of International and Development Studies.
 
Switzerland gives great importance to the work of the commission, particularly concerning compliance with international law and its further development, the ministry said in a statement.
 
In 2006, Caflisch became the first Swiss citizen to join the 34-strong commission. He was re-elected by the UN General Assembly for a second five-year term last November.
 
He also worked a judge at the European Court of Human Rights, as a legal advisor to the Swiss foreign ministry and taught at a number of universities.
 
His mandate as chairman of the commission, which is based in Geneva, is valid for the current session. It lasts until August 2012.

(swissinfo.org, May 11, 2012)

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Not only was it Switzerland’s gold medal, but it also secured enough qualifying points for Switzerland to all but guarantee a spot in the Olympic field in 2014 at Sochi, Russia.

Congratulations to the Swiss Ladies!

Read entire article from the National Post:
http://sports.nationalpost.com/2012/03/25/miriam-otts-swiss-rink-takes-gold-at-world-womens-curling-championship/

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The new Swiss foreign minister, Didier Burkhalter, has decided to put more effort into relations with Switzerland’s neighbours and the European Union.

The centre-right Radical’s decision signals an end to the Swiss policy of “active” neutrality that was instituted under his centre-left Social Democrat predecessor, Micheline Calmy-Rey. (…)

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The Swiss government recently approved the 2012-2015 foreign policy strategy report, which sets out priorities and defines four strategic goals.
 
The first goal is to nurture and increase relations with neighbouring countries.
 
The second concerns relations with the EU and its member states. Switzerland will pursue bilateral talks and defend its political leeway concerning institutional issues. This has mainly to do with Switzerland’s economic interests, including market access and tax questions.
 
The third priority will focus on stability at Europe’s external borders and in the rest of the world. Stability should be ensured through development aid, special funding, peace promotion, as well as human rights and constitutional law activities.
 
Finally, strategic partnerships with emerging nations should be strengthened and diversified.

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No, to longer holidays
Yes, to limit number of holiday homes
No, to pre-fixed book prizes
Yes, to new casino and lottery regulations
No, to tax breaks for future house owners

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St Gallen may become the first Swiss city to introduce a novel banking scheme in which retired care volunteers “deposit” hours worked looking after elderly people.

In return they can use any time saved up for their own care provision later in life. The St Gallen government hopes the pilot project will lower social service costs and encourage local solidarity as it copes with a steadily ageing population.

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The AGM of the Toronto Swiss Club took place on February 24, 2012 at the Delta Chelsea Hotel. Outgoing President René Wälti (left) lead through the proceedings after the traditional opening dinner offered by the Swiss Club. He steps down after two successful 2-year terms and will remain on the board as Past President. Additionally, he will serve as a member of the board of the Swiss Center of North America in New Glarus. The members of the Swiss Club voted unanimously for Sascha Frassini (right) as new President of the Swiss Club Toronto.

Thank you René Wälti for all your efforts and contributions!
Welcome Sascha Frassini and all the best for a successful presidency!

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The Consulate of Switzerland initates the 1st. Annual WEF Debriefing in Toronto. It will take place at the Toronto Board of Trade. A WEF representative and 2 high profile participants from Toront will be present and share their experience in Davos.

Luncheon, February 28, at the Board of Trade.
Detail Info and RSVP: www.bot.com

Swiss Ambassador to Canada, Ulrich Lehner will be among the guests.

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Researchers at Fribourg University have found a gene which is capable of preventing the growth of colon cancers.

The gene is activated by non-steroid anti-inflammatory drugs such as aspirin and could lead to the development of new prevention measures for colon cancer. It works by forcing malignant tumor cells to become more benign.

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Switzerland has earned good marks for its efforts to prevent the bribery of foreign public officials.

The OECD praised Switzerland for its proactive stance in the seizure, confiscation and restitution of illicitly obtained assets and referred to new Swiss legislation requiring federal employees to report crimes and irregularities.

Complete Article: http://bit.ly/A5Ph0W

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Most Swiss consumers would be happy to have cheaper electricity but would draw the line at high-tension power cables close to their home.

Attempts to move to more underground cables have had little political success. But the situation is changing. In Switzerland, battles are taking place that most people are unaware of. These are not conflicts over land or natural resources but over power lines and whether to prevent their proliferation. Swissgrid, the national electricity grid operator, estimates that the power supply system needs to be extended by no less than 1,000 kilometres by 2020.

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