Swiss Stories

swiss medicinal plants

Medicinal plants: working with nature for our health

Environment
Industrialisation has somewhat eclipsed the valuable properties of medicinal plants. Recently, however, these noble plants are being rediscovered in Switzerland and are experiencing a renaissance.

by Lea Huszno

Swiss Humanitarian Aid expert in Sulawesi, Indonesia

Swiss tech for good

Science & Education
How can technology be used for the common good? This is what Tech4good is all about. The Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation works closely with Swiss enterprises, start-ups, universities and research units to provide tech solutions to challenges in development cooperation. Some examples of Tech4Good projects developed in Switzerland are set out below.
Cheese production by the Murith family on the Alp Tsermont at the foot of the Moleson near Gruyeres, FR. © Switzerland Tourism - By-Line: swiss-image.ch/Andre Meier

Swiss cheesemakers conquer the world

History
Gruyère, Emmental and Tilsiter. These Swiss cheeses are famous all over the world. Although the names of these cheeses and the recipes behind them are protected to assure consumers that they are made in Switzerland in accordance with strict standards, Swiss cheesemaking traditions are now thriving in some of the most unexpected places around the world.
Sofia de Meyer

Reaping the fruits of success

Society
Swapping her business suit for an apron, Sofia de Meyer abandoned her career at a corporate law firm in London and founded an eco-responsible juice company in Switzerland. This is the remarkable story of a Swiss woman who has made a success of more than one business idea.
Solarkiosk © Andreas Spiess, SOLARKIOSK AG / ZHdK

Can Swiss design save the planet?

Environment
Social design looks beyond the material nature of an object in order to tackle the major economic, environmental and societal challenges of today and tomorrow. The practice is taking off in Switzerland and changing the face of design.
Törbel

Sharing water the Swiss way

Environment
A small Swiss mountain village in the beautiful Upper-Valais region near the Matterhorn enjoys the unique distinction of having helped changed ecology - twice. It's all down to its good record-keeping and clever management of its scarce water resources.
Élise Chabbey

Swiss pro cyclist and doctor, the double life of Élise Chabbey

Society
At 27 years old, Élise Chabbey from Geneva is already an accomplished multidisciplinary athlete. In 2012, she competed in canoeing and kayaking at the London Olympics. In 2017, she finished best Swiss female runner in the legendary Sierre-Zinal mountain race. In 2020, she worked as a doctor at the Geneva University Hospitals at the height of the coronavirus crisis, but this did not prevent her from becoming Swiss road cycling champion a few weeks later. Quite a double life.

by Bertrand Monnard