BENEFITS OF LIVING TOGETHER IN PEACE 1.Manufacturing Prospers 2.Tourism Thrives 3.Swiss Banks Prosper 4.High Incomes 5.International Respect

BENEFITS OF LIVING BENEFITS OF LIVING TOGETHER IN PEACETOGETHER IN PEACEBENEFITS OF LIVING BENEFITS OF LIVING TOGETHER IN PEACETOGETHER IN PEACE

1. Manufacturing Prospers2. Tourism Thrives3. Swiss Banks Prosper4. High Incomes5. International Respect

BENEFITS OF LIVING BENEFITS OF LIVING TOGETHER IN PEACETOGETHER IN PEACE

1. Manufacturing Prospers• When WWII ended, many industrialised countries

were shattered by the war• Switzerland changed from agricultural based to

industrialisation• Mainly because she was untouched by war• Thus was able to industrialise rapidly


1. Manufacturing Prospers• Raw materials limited but people are diligent and

very well-educated• Equipped with necessary skills for work in industry• Swiss craftsmen are very skillful and creative• Known for producing very fine and exquisite

watches known for accuracy and precision


1. Manufacturing Prospers

• Swiss creativity – first to mass produce tiny mechanical parts in 1845 – long before others had the technology

• Gained an enormous advantage over others in the production of watches


http://www.swatch.com/



1. Manufacturing Prospers• Swiss manufacturing industry today – produces

very specialised & high-quality products• Precision machines and instruments, electronic

devices, medical and chemical products• Exported throughout the world• Manufacturing industry continues to prosper – high

investment in R&D of high-tech industries• R&D is necessary in Switzerland to produce goods

demanded all over the world


1. Manufacturing Prospers• Another factor – relationship between workers and

employers harmonious • Any quarrels usually settled peacefully without

strikes• Another way of compromise


2. Tourism Thrives• Beautiful lakes, snow-capped mountains and

resorts – main attraction for tourists to Switzerland• Swiss cleverly developed their mountains into

tourist attractions• More than 11 million tourists each year• A favourite because of landscape, first-class air

and rail transportation


2. Tourism Thrives• Instead of quarrelling over language and religion,

the Swiss made use of their multi-cultural characteristics to their advantage

• This attracts tourists worldwide• Swiss tourist industry would not have developed if

there was no internal peace and harmony


3.3. Swiss Banks ProsperSwiss Banks Prosper• Switzerland – an international banking centreSwitzerland – an international banking centre• More than 4,000 branches of banks and More than 4,000 branches of banks and

financial institutionsfinancial institutions• Political stability, harmony, neutrality make it a Political stability, harmony, neutrality make it a

safe country for people worldwide to deposit safe country for people worldwide to deposit their money theretheir money there

• These conditions have given stability to its These conditions have given stability to its currency, the Swiss franc – freely convertible currency, the Swiss franc – freely convertible to other currenciesto other currencies

3.3. Swiss Banks ProsperSwiss Banks Prosper• Swiss banking laws : gives depositors a safe Swiss banking laws : gives depositors a safe

feelingfeeling• Eg A Swiss law that protects bank depositorsEg A Swiss law that protects bank depositors• Their amount of deposit cannot be disclosed to Their amount of deposit cannot be disclosed to

anyone or any governmentanyone or any government• All Swiss banks must follow this secrecy lawAll Swiss banks must follow this secrecy law• Because of this, Swiss banks have benefited Because of this, Swiss banks have benefited

tremendouslytremendously

THE LATEST SWISS BANK THE LATEST SWISS BANK SCANDALSCANDAL

THE LATEST SWISS BANK THE LATEST SWISS BANK SCANDALSCANDAL


http://www.halleuropeanhistory.com/europe/983.shtml


4. High Incomes• Manufacturing and tourism industries contribute

65% of the country’s total income• Benefit of living in peace ensured that these two

industries prospered• As a result, Swiss enjoy high incomes – average

annual income one of the highest in the world


5. International Respect• Many international organisations have their HQs in

Switzerland• Shows that the world respects Switzerland• Eg International Red Cross HQ, the Palace of

Nations which is the European Office of the UN are in Geneva

• Many int’l meetings are held there• Commanded respect because of its peace and

neutrality

LESSONS FOR SINGAPORELESSONS FOR SINGAPORE

1.1. Participation from populationParticipation from population

2.2. ToleranceTolerance

3.3. National defenceNational defence

4.4. Multi-cultural societyMulti-cultural society

5.5. Creativity and skillsCreativity and skills


1.1. Participation from populationParticipation from population• Swiss have shown that they are Swiss have shown that they are

mature and responsible in their mature and responsible in their decision-making processdecision-making process

• Able to make difficult decisions and Able to make difficult decisions and bring suggestions to the government bring suggestions to the government through feedbackthrough feedback


2.2. ToleranceTolerance• Swiss are very tolerant peopleSwiss are very tolerant people• Eg G-Swiss exercise tolerance and Eg G-Swiss exercise tolerance and

patience towards minority groups patience towards minority groups which are careful not to be demanding which are careful not to be demanding or unreasonableor unreasonable

• All groups practise mutual respect and All groups practise mutual respect and understandingunderstanding


3.3. National DefenceNational Defence• Importance of national defence deeply Importance of national defence deeply

rooted in the Swissrooted in the Swiss• Given its size, it is remarkable to note Given its size, it is remarkable to note

that it was able to deter invasion of its that it was able to deter invasion of its territories during the two WWterritories during the two WW

• With similar military preparedness and With similar military preparedness and capability, Singapore can also defend capability, Singapore can also defend itself against foreign attacksitself against foreign attacks


4.4. Multi-cultural SocietyMulti-cultural Society• By allowing different language and By allowing different language and

religious groups to retain their culture, religious groups to retain their culture, Swiss have been successful in forging Swiss have been successful in forging harmony and unityharmony and unity

• We should do the sameWe should do the same


5.5. Creativity and SkillsCreativity and Skills• Limited natural resources and small Limited natural resources and small

physical size have not prevented the physical size have not prevented the Swiss from prospering economicallySwiss from prospering economically

• Creativity and skills – go beyond their Creativity and skills – go beyond their limitations to benefit themselves and limitations to benefit themselves and the rest of the worldthe rest of the world

• Openness of Swiss society encourage Openness of Swiss society encourage an inflow of talentan inflow of talent

CONCLUSIONCONCLUSION

Switzerland a model of harmony and Switzerland a model of harmony and unityunity

A fine example for small countriesA fine example for small countries

A model for working out conflicts A model for working out conflicts arising from racial and religious arising from racial and religious differencesdifferences

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BENEFITS OF LIVING TOGETHER IN PEACE 1.Manufacturing Prospers 2.Tourism Thrives 3.Swiss Banks Prosper 4.High Incomes 5.International Respect