World Radio Switzerland

Listen in to Dr Michelle’s latest COVID vaccine update – what’s new here in Switzerland, how are the new COVID variants spreading and what is the COVAX programme aiming to achieve?

While Brexit causes havoc for many companies in the UK – it has also opened opportunities for others. The British expat food shop, Jim’s British Market in Gland initially struggled to get products from the UK into the EU’s single market – of which Switzerland is a member. While the teething problems are being figured out, Chris Anderson who’s in charge of importing for Jim’s says they’ve been imaginative. www.jbmarket.ch

On this week's Swiss Up! Dario looks at how women got the vote in canton Appenzell Innerrhoden and the woman who almost singlehandedly drove to the issue to the Federal Court - Theresia Rhoner.

UN Roundup - Mark Lowcock steps down as UN’s Emergency Relief Chief by WRS

Michael McKay's guest is Michael Møller, known to many of you as the Director-General of the United Nations Office at Geneva up until a year or so ago. Well, you cannot keep a good and energetic man down! And he has re-emerged as one of the principal leaders of this new organisation that I mentioned which is called the Geneva Science and Diplomacy Anticipator Foundation. Quite a mouthful to say. And so, for short, they call themselves GESDA.

Marking World Cancer Day, Dr Michelle talks to Zoe Zenklusen Payne about her personal story living with metastatic breast cancer. They discuss what led Zoe to set up Simply Zoe to provide women with beautiful, elegant yet functional items to help them through their breast cancer treatment and recovery and also the Fearless Movement that Zoe has launched to raise awareness and funds on World Cancer Day. Find out more: https://www.simplyzoe.ch/news/2021/1/13/fearless-on-world-cancer-day https://www.simplyzoe.ch/

Nelly Bettens on the crocodile siblings she's studying in Geneva by WRS

IUG Open Day by WRS

It was this month in 1971 the (male) Swiss voters finally agreed to allow women to vote and stand in Federal Elections. Dario looks at why it took so long - and many efforts - to bring in votes for women.

UN Roundup - Libyan Dialogue, Central African Republic displacement , WHO update by WRS

Antigel - a fight for culture and the Antigel run by WRS

Learn More - Creating structure around homework and screentime by WRS

The International Career Couple Handbook - interview with Paul Vanderbroeck by WRS

In this episode, Dr Michelle looks at COVID vaccine side effects and discusses reported adverse reactions in Switzerland so far.

FIFDH Impact Day - Laura Longobardi by WRS

UN Roundup - Syria constitutional talks & Holocaust remembrance events by WRS

This week Michael McKay examines the issue of privacy. Do we have a right to privacy and how companies and governments see the issue? Michael's guest is Ron Rock, Co-founder and CEO of Microshare © .

Today on the show our gardening expert Hester Macdonald talks about whether or not hack back that hedge and how to deal with multiple plants merging into one, as well as top pointers for all kinds of plant pests. Katt talks about the aloe vera plants she may or may not have killed recently (#isitdeadyet) and Hester gives us some propagation pointers to save what's salvageable. Also, we have a bonsai to give away, courtesy of Schilliger Garden Centre. How have you taken care of yours in the past? **The competition is now closed and the winner has been notified**

The Covid 19 Effect - ICN reports on trauma faced by nurses by WRS

UN Roundup - Libya, Madagascar and 'vaccinationalism' by WRS

Continuing her look at COVID-19 vaccination here in Switzerland, Dr Michelle takes a deeper dive to discuss the Pfizer/BioNTech and Moderna messenger RNA vaccines. Find out more on the Federal Office of Public Health website in English: https://www.bag.admin.ch/bag/en/home/krankheiten/ausbrueche-epidemien-pandemien/aktuelle-ausbrueche-epidemien/novel-cov/impfen.html and on the Infovac website in French, German and Italian: https://www.infovac.ch/fr/les-vaccins/par-maladie/coronavirus-covid-19

Black Movie Film Festival in Geneva - Kate Reidy by WRS

COVID vaccination has begun in Switzerland bringing some light at the end of the tunnel as we start 2021! Dr Michelle explains the Swiss vaccination strategy in this Health Matters before taking a deeper dive to look at the vaccinations themselves in coming episodes.

Michael's subject today is Education. Something not covered before in all the eight or nine years of this programme. So, it’s not before time! In this open, free, innovative and economically liberal society that is Switzerland, there are many choices available to parents and students throughout primary, secondary and tertiary levels of schooling, in the broadest sense. And it must be said that generally speaking the Swiss, public education system is of high quality, thorough, rigorous and extensive. Michael examines private education, and in particular the education provided by one, well-known pioneer, the International School of Geneva or Ecolint, as it is also called. Today, unusually, not one Guest but two. The Director-General of Ecolint, Dr David Hawley, and one of his students, Antonia Molnar.

Dr Michelle signs off for 2020 and encourages us to get out into nature to boost our mood and wellbeing during the Christmas break.

Is Coronavirus and the restrictions and measures put in place affecting you mentally and emotionally? The 10th December marks a nationwide day of action all over Switzerland, organized by the Federal Office of Public Health, encouraging people to talk about their mental health and seek help if needed. Dr Michelle explains the various organisations collaborating including: Pro Mente Sana: https://www.promentesana.org/ Pro Juventute: https://www.projuventute.ch/ La Main Tendue: https://www.143.ch/ Pro Senectute: https://www.prosenectute.ch/ Swiss Red Cross: https://www.redcross.ch/en Caritas: https://www.caritas.ch/en/home.html More information can also be found on the Federal Office of Public Health website: https://www.bag.admin.ch/bag/en/home/das-bag/aktuell/news/news-03-12-2020.html

On this edition of Dig It, Hester looks at ideas for gifts for the home, such as Floral Botanical Prints from a Swiss based artist. www.xixifloralprints.com Candles are always a popular gift, from www.jennyandrews.org Learn more about plants with some wonderfully illustrated flash cards from www.theclarysage.com, make your own wreath from www.missdaisy.ch There are also some Christmas Markets going on – although many have been cancelled this year, but Hester gives the details on those that are open and are Covid safe. Jewellery by Judith Cupples, another Swiss based maker, from the Lausanne area. Nature-inspired jewellery including a gorgeous sage leaf pendant and one with a grapevine leaf on it. Where to buy? Etsy store A Pinch of Silver You’re too late for shipping within Switzerland or the UK, BUT she will be at the Christmas Market at the Ateliers de la Cote in Etoy this week from Friday to Sunday. https://www.lesateliersdelacote.ch/boutique/evenements/marche-de-noel/marche-de-noel-11-au-13-12-2020/ Another Christmas market is on in Zurich with a large number of Makers, including The Primrose Secret Garden, a range of beautiful botanical and beeswax items made by Jennifer Rohr with products from her organic farm in Neuchatel. The market is on the 10th of December, you have to register to visit, all COVID protections are in place. You will be able to pick up some of Renee Blanchardt’s own teas, or other botanical products at the same time – she’s a world famous herbalist and naturopath. https://www.eventbrite.com/e/the-tea-house-pop-up-xmas-market-december-10th-tickets-123885016419 And if you can’t get there, head to the Primrose Secret Garden’s own website www.primrosesecretgarden.com and pick up some bee or botanical goodies

On this week's Swiss Up, Dario examines the CHF 93m contract the European Space Agency has signed with the EPFL University in Lausanne to design and build a satellite to bring down space junk.

A very special guest for the final McKay Interview of this extraordinary year – one we are probably all glad to see the back of – the Swiss Ambassador to the United Kingdom, or to give him his official title in the UK, the Ambassador from the Swiss Confederation to the Court of St. James's, His Excellency Mr Alexandre Fasel.

Looking for a stylish family friendly getaway? You can't do better than Club Med's Saint Moritz Roi Soleil. https://www.clubmed.ch/r/Saint--Moritz-Roi-Soleil/y?locale=en-CH&offer=winter-deals

If you live around the Pays de Gex in France or the bordering Swiss areas then keep your eye out for Torres. He was brought in from Bosnia as a stray as was due to be adopted. But he escaped and has been roaming around the area for the last month. There have been several spottings and now a social media network has been set up to try to bring him to safety. https://www.facebook.com/groups/find.torres

Big Screen, Little Screen - His Dark Materials, Diana: In Her Own Words by WRS

Vitamin D: are you getting enough? Dr Michelle explains that we’re more at risk of becoming deficient in Vitamin D during the winter months and looks at the evidence for supplements to help prevent, or treat, COVID?

Although most people voted for the Responsible Business Initiative, its still failed as not enough cantons did. That's very rare. When did it last happen (long time ago!) and why do we have it.

Studying at a hospitality school is no longer about just hotels and bars – the modern hospitality degree is far more than that and graduates have a wide range of career choices. Mark Butcher spoke to Molly Turpie who’s in the third year at the prestigious Ecole Hôtelière de Lausanne and she’s studying international hospitality and management.

On this week's Swiss Up!, Dario looks at Thanksgiving in Switzerland. While a family get-together is not a Swiss tradition - there are several different events which celebrate the harvest at this time of year. Unsurprisingly, cheese is involved!

How are you wearing your mask this Movember? Dr Michelle chats to Movember Switzerland rep Scott Poynton about why men struggle to open up about their mental health and the ALEC framework for mental health conversations. They also talk about a FREE online panel event that they will both be part of on 30th November 2020 from 18:30-19:30. Find out more and register here: https://www.healthfirst.ch/mental-healthfirst/movember/

Hello and welcome to another edition of Learn More. The move to a greener lifestyle is also affecting schools. The Institut International de Lancy is no exception – and is working to earn the title of Eco School. Mark Butcher spoke to Rebecca Grove, Deputy Head at the IIL English primary section – who explains what the Eco School label actually means.

On this week's McKay Interview, Michael talks to the Director-General of the United Nations Office at Geneva, Tatiana Valovaya. She discusses the future of the UN in Geneva, how the pandemic is affecting the work of the UN and conflicts around the world.

Mon 23 November 2020. Today on the UN Roundup, Daniel Johnson tells us what's happening this week. 1 : Afghanistan Conference at the UN Palais (and virtually) - A high-level pledging conference on Afghanistan is happening at UN Geneva today and tomorrow; the specific aim of event is to determine international commitments in shared development goals over the next four years. More than 70 countries, international organizations and agencies are expected to take part, as well as civil society representatives. 2 : G20 RIYADH SUMMIT (yesterday) – UN chief calls for solidarity on a COVID vaccine that is available to all; on mobilizing resources to build forward better; and aligning recovery efforts with Sustainable Development Goals and the Paris Agreement on Climate Change. 3 : This week sees the start of “16 Days of Activism against Gender-based violence” 25 Nov until 10 Dec. The UN Palais and Jet d’eau will be lit up in orange on Wednesday 25 Nov.

Interview with WRS as aired on 20 November 2020

Interview with the authors Tineka Smith and Alex Court, for World Radio Switzerland

Today on the show, Ash asked about how to keep his future Christmas tree alive after the festive season, David questions his scaly insect issue, Fiona's pear tree is bearing one singular fruit, and Lucy wants tips to plant her own garlic. Hester answers your questions to make plant care easy. If you have questions for Hester to tackle on the next live episode of Dig It! email them to studio@worldradio.ch

Rapid COVID testing is now available in Switzerland. Dr Michelle explains how this works and when it may be offered to you. Find out more about COVID testing on the Federal Office of Public Health website and access the Coronavirus check online.

On this week's Swiss Up! Dario takes a look at the upcoming vote on the Responsible Business Initiative. Campaigners have been fighting for this law since 2015 and want to hold all Swiss companies responsible for human rights and environmental standards across the world. The government is against. The vote will be on Sunday November 29th 2020.

Aynur Tasim spoke to Katt Cullen on the Mid Morning Mix about her organic, zero-waste products made from bamboo, wheat and coconut. TerraMavi are based in Geneva. There's a 10% off offer on all their products this month with the code "TerraMavi"

On this edition of Sky's The Limit - we look at the Club Med resort at Grand Massif Samoens.

16 November 2020. 1 : News - Worsening humanitarian and security situation in Ethiopia with fighting and reported missile strikes on Eritrea from the northern Tigray region. Amid reports of mass killings in the Ethiopian town of Mai-Kadra, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet has expressed increasing alarm at the rapidly deteriorating situation in the Tigray region. She warned on Friday in a statement that if the Tigray regional forces and Ethiopian Government forces continued fighting, “there is a risk (that) this situation will spiral totally out of control”. “There is a risk this situation will spiral totally out of control, leading to heavy casualties and destruction, as well as mass displacement within Ethiopia itself and across borders…While the details of the alleged mass killings reported by Amnesty International in Mai-Kadra in south-west Tigray have not yet been fully verified, the High Commissioner is calling for a full inquiry. If confirmed as having been deliberately carried out by a party to the current fighting, these killings of civilians would of course amount to war crimes and there must be an investigation and full accountability for what has happened.” - Rupert Colville, spokesperson for the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Michelle Bachelet. 2 : World Children’s Day (20 November). Please check out the virtual exhibit: One Day, I Will, ahead of Featuring the aspirations of children facing extreme hardship and displacement in some of the world’s worst trouble-spots. https://www.un.org/en/exhibits/exhibit/one-day-i-will 3 : Wednesday 3.30pm: open debate on the role of “Radio & Reconstruction” – exploring radio’s role in historic tragedies such as the Holocaust and the Rwanda Tutsi genocide – and how radio helped in rebuilding communities in the aftermath too. Register for the event here: https://bit.ly/2IzdnYn

Geneva is a humanitarian centre – and it’s also one of the world’s richest cities. At the Institut International de Lancy the school believes it’s important to make sure the children build empathy and understand not everyone is as lucky as they are. Neil Brickley runs several humanitarian projects at the IIL, aimed at helping communities around the world. He explains how they choose which ones.

Big Screen, Little Screen - The Queen's Gambit and Undoing by WRS

François says Enjoy The Silence for the weekend by WRS