Social issues

Reflections during the flight

by Karin Leukefeld,* Germany, Beirut

(29 November 2024) (Edit.) Middle East correspondent Karin Leukefeld is back in Lebanon. In her latest article, “reflections during the flight”, she deals with the impact of the Middle East conflict on Lebanon. Through the perspective of a traveller, the destruction, the suffering of the people and the background to decades of conflict are described. This creates room for reflections on the responsibility of international politics and the consequences of colonial power structures.

Future Project Neutrality

Neutrality Studies – A Growing Field in an Increasingly Multipolar World

by Prof. Dr. Pascal Lottaz,* Japan

(15 November 2024) (CH-S) While in the motherland of neutrality policy, Switzerland, the neutrality of the country is being violated by a reckless foreign policy, at the other end of the world a Swiss citizen, Pascal Lottaz, is holding an international scientific conference on this topic. It shows us that neutrality is by no means obsolete, but a precious asset that must be achieved and maintained for the benefit of all, worldwide. Below, we present a written report by the conference chair, Pascal Lottaz.

Can schools still be saved?

by Ursula Felber*

(8 November 2024) Finally, the media is starting to take an interest in the topic of schools. However, today the ball is also being kicked back and forth and the obvious grievances in schools are often blamed on migration.

As a retired teacher who taught for decades at primary and special education schools, I can look back on many years of school reform. What has been the outcome?

“From War to Peace”

Symposium of the initiative “Democracy and Fundamental Rights”

by Marita Brune-Koch

(8 November 2024) Vienna. – Cruel wars in various parts of the world, politicians and the media inciting war and supposedly wanting to bring about peace with war and rearmament – that is what our world looks like today. Our Alpine republics Austria and Switzerland, which could refuse to take part in the war with their constitutionally enshrined neutrality, are increasingly arming themselves and wanting to be present at this dance of death. The symposium “From War to Peace” courageously countered this.

How Generation Z can save the world

by Mathias Müller,* canton Bern, Switzerland

(1 November 2024) Today’s youth is regarded to be oversensitive and lazy. But if you look closely, you can see that Gen Z is more resilient and freedom-loving than their self-righteous predecessors.

Nobel Peace Prize 2024

It goes to qualified recipient for first time in at least six years

by David Swanson, World BEYOND War*

(25 October 2024) Congratulations are in order for “Nihon Hidankyo”, the Japan “Confederation of A- and H-Bomb Sufferers Organizations”. The Nobel Peace Prize has for the first time in at least six years gone to a group of people who work to reduce warmaking, people who in fact seek to abolish nuclear weapons. Nihon Hidankyo has relentlessly done the work of educating the world, thanklessly, for many years. This prize should be celebrated far and wide.