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NO. 5 MAY 2013 CHF 7.50

WHAT’S ON THIS MONTH

ZÜRICH TATTOOBRITISH

TRADITION

Tourism:Swiss Orient

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e d i t o r i a l | m a y

“April showers bring May flowers…”Hopefully, by the time you are reading this note, the snow will have melted, the sun is shining and the birds are chirping. It’s my pleasure to say hello to youas the new Editor-in-Chief of Swiss News as of this May 2013 issue. A team of old and new people stand behind me. I would like to say a big thank you tothem. Without their help, I could not face this challenge alone. The pages of this magazine you hold are the result of their hard work, creative input anddedication.

We have much to look forward to this long-awaited summer. For the first time ever, the Zurich Tattoo is taking place in well, Zurich! The Big Bands are comingto town, bringing British tradition right to Zurich’s doorstep. See page 08 for my interview with Dr. Graham Jones, one of the founders of Tattoo, who has a softspot for Switzerland. Rehearsals are already underway and it promises to be quite an event.

And, if you somehow missed out on ski season, spectacular eternal snow awaits on Mount Titlis in Nid- and Obwalden standing at 3020 meter tall. Thanks toexpertise of the Best of Switzerland bus tours, it’s easily accessible. The towns and areas leading up the mountain, closer to sea level, such as the Rigi andLucerne, are witnesses to the legend of Wilhelm Tell.

Back in modern day Switzerland, stress is a hot topic in today’s everyday work-life. We are ever efficiently tackling two things at once by locating a beautifulSwiss resort and a new methodology (“Spacial Dynamics”) for tips and techniques on how to lead a balanced life.

We learn about peacekeeping from Sukehiro Hasegawa, a retired United Nations diplomat with 37 years of experience in the field. Starting his career in NewYork City in 1969, he retired in Geneva as Special-Representative to the Secretary-General. Recently he was appointed Special Advisor to Prime Minister toEast Timor.

Last and not last we would like to thank our long time and new sponsoring partners. We appreciate your support and the trust you have placed in us. Wehope you enjoy our shared homage to Switzerland. Signing off with a quote from the Bundesbrief: “One for all… and all for one.”

We look forward to hearing from you soon at info@swissnews.ch. Warm wishes for a wonderful spring!

Kind regards,

Erika Frey-HasegawaEditor-in-Chief

PUBLISHER Remo Kuhn • MANAGING DIRECTOR Jonas Hugentobler • EDITOR IN CHIEF Erika Frey Hasegawa • LAYOUT María Ahuáctzin Lepel, Niruba Balasingam • MARKETING &ADVERTISING MANAGER Nursah Canli, Tel: +41 44 306 47 00 • CONTRIBUTORS Justin Brunjes, Brien Donnellon, Emily Rose Mawson, Stéphanie Thomson • PRINTING MATERIALSprint@swissnews.ch • SUBSCRIPTION SERVICE SWISS NEWS, Zürcherstrasse 39, 8952 Schlieren,Tel: +41 44 306 47 00, Fax: +41 44 306 47 11, abo@swissnews.ch, www.swissnews.ch •SUBSCRIPTION RATE One year, CHF 66 inside Switzerland; CHF 96 abroad; Single copy CHF 7.50 • DISTRIBUTION & SALES Available at major kiosks, Orell Füssli, Off The Shelf, and inbusiness class on SWISS International Air Lines flights • PRINTED BY Stämpfli Publikationen AG, Wölflistrasse 1, Postfach 8326, 3001 Berne • SWISS NEWS 31st year of publication• COPYRIGHT Under the International Copyright Convention, All rights reserved ISSN 1420-1151 • PUBLISHED BY SWISS BUSINESSPRESS SA, Zürcherstrasse 39, 8952 Schlieren,www.swissbusinesspress.ch

MANIMattER1936–1972

MANIMattER1936–1972

Landesmuseum Zürich.Museumstrasse 2 | 8001 Zürich

Tue–Sun 10 am–5 pm | Thu 10 am–7 pmOpen on public holidays

www.manimatter.landesmuseum.ch

Landesmuseum Zürich.Museumstrasse 2 | 8001 Zürich

Tue–Sun 10 am–5 pm | Thu 10 am–7 pmOpen on public holidays

www.manimatter.landesmuseum.ch

CONTENTSNews 07 The latest news from Switzerland

Interview of the month 08 British Military Open-Air Spectacle

Made in Switzerland 22 H. Moser & Cie. – timekeeping legend

Finance column 37 Brien Donnellon

Destination Switzerland 12 Zurich – Go West

Off the beaten track 14 Best of Switzerland – Mount Titlis

Gallery 23 Schaffhausen

Typical Swiss 18 Der Klauaschniider (Cow Toenail-cutter)

What’s on 29 Event listing from My Switzerland

Books 44 English Books by Orell Füssli

Insider profile 40 UN Peacekeeping

Inter-community school 38 Powerful opportunities for learning in Switzerland

Expat services 34 Healthy & Safe Away From Home

Leisure time 43 Getting on the water in Switzerland

Club page 45 English Speaking Club Events

Classifieds 46 Noticeboard

Images from top:IMAGE 1: Zurich Tattoo courtesy of Act EntertainmentIMAGE 2: Mount Titlis © Erika Frey-HasegawaIMAGE 3: Der Klauaschniider © Justin BrunjesIMAGE 4: UN Peacekeeping in Timor-Leste © United Nations

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a r t & c u l t u r e

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e d u c a t i o n

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I n t e r v i e w o f t h e m o n t h | d r . g r a h a m o . j o n e s m b e

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camp in 1989 in Germany. We are working closely togetherto produce an event to be remembered this July in Zurich.

EF: Have you visited Zurich yet?What are you lookingforward to most about visiting Switzerland?GJ: On my first visit to Zurich, when I accepted the invitationto be the Director, I was picked up from the airport by theorganisers of Zurich Tattoo. Straight away, I was whiskeddirectly to the Lake of Zurich for a boat ride. The Lake Policedrove me to a boat place and gave me the nickel tour. Theyshowed me around the lake. The view of the mountains fromthe boat was fantastic. Later they took me to the old townand I picked a traditional Swiss restaurant at the top of thehill. My favourite Swiss meal is Rösti. A close second, isanother Swiss dish that has mushrooms, veal and a darkcream. The name of which, you will have to help me with.(Editor: GJ is referring to a Swiss dish which is a Zurichstandard: “Zürigeschnätzlts” which loosely translates to“Zurich Sliced Bits”. For a copy of the recipe, see below fromour sister magazine Swiss Cuisine.) I also like Fondue

Graham O. Jones’ voice on the phone sounds as if we are inthe same room; disarmingly charming and polite.Apologetically, he asks if I might call him back in 20 minutesas something urgent has come up. He tells me, in areassuringly friendly way, not to be alarmed by the loudbrass music when I call back. The forewarning was smartlyplayed. When I call again, the music streaming in thebackground is impressively, if not slightly shocking, quiteloud. Big, bright and warm sounds reach the phone fromJones’ record player. When we finally connect, we talkmusic. Brass bands, big bands, horns and then a delightfuldiversion – Welsh harps!

EF: ZurichTattoo promises to be a historical event. Is ittrue, this will be your first performance in Zurich?GJ: Well, that’s not necessarily true. I have performed inSwitzerland before. I conducted at Victoria Hall in Geneva.But yes, technically this will be my first concert in Zurich. Mylong standing friendship with André Beck was the reason formy engagement in Zurich Tattoo. We met at a British band

British MilitaryOpen-Air spectacleTattoo

By Erika Frey

share any secrets?GJ: Wait. When is this magazine being published? (Editor: Itell him April 30th)

After a good laugh and my reassurances that I would not giveaway anyshow secrets, Jones continues in all seriousness, upon pondering myquestions.Besides conducting the bands, I have been working hardon composing music and scoring arrangements for theinternational bands. André Beck is the driving force behindZurich Tattoo. When he called to ask if I would help himorganise this event, I immediately agreed to do it. I don’talways say yes, mind you. I tend to get a lot of invitations.But, this occasion has special significance to me. André isan old friend of mine. We reconnected when I returned fromthe serving in the first Gulf War in Iraq. He found me onlineand offered me his cabin in the woods in the Italian-speaking part of Switzerland. I really needed to find time tounwind and re-acclimatize, and André understood. Hestocked up the cabin with food rations. My wife and I stayed

Chinoise. I really enjoy Swiss food! Rehearsals for theZurich Tattoo are already underway. I have been visitingZurich regularly now.

According to Wikipedia the history of the word Tattoostems from the Dutch expression: “close the taps” (“Doeden tap toe” or “tap toe”) Similar to a civilian pub’s “lastcall” that serves as a reminder to patrons of the lastchance to order a final drink for the night, soldiers weresent back to their barracks to get some rest.

EF: As a newbie toTattoo can you explain to our readerswhere the tradition stems from?GJ: Yes, the name stems from the Dutch expression “turn offthe taps,” which was a signal to send a drummer to thebarracks to beat the drum; this was to tell the innkeepers toturn off the taps. A lowering of the flags followed this routine.This military spectacle has actually derived from a practicalmechanism.EF:What is on the agenda for the Swiss shows? Can you

All photos © Act Entertainment

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help with the Tattoo shows. The joy I have now, is the same Ihad at eight to nine years old. It is an honour and a privilegeto perform and conduct professionally- I get to do my hobbyeveryday!

EF:The harp is a difficult instrument.You must be quitetalented to switch between brass and strings.GJ: I studied music at The Royal Military School of Music,which is where military people go. I had a good, and verystrict harp teacher, Maria Kakinska. She won the Silver

Medal in Russia. I had to practice,practice, and practice!

EF:What is your impression ofthe internationalTattoo Bandsthat will be performing with you?Lots of colour! The Mexican bandthat will be performing isabsolutely marvellous. Imagine140 Mexicans entering a stadiumblaring horns. The bright, colourfulhats they wear and the soundsthey make are quite incredible.Then, the Jordanian air force isplanning a fly by over the city. Thecountry of Jordan, apparently, has

a long history with Zurich. The Swedish Royal British Youth isa highlight to look out for. This Tattoo focuses on culture andyouth. The energy is awesome. The fusion of differentcommitments of the world is quite a spectacle. It is acountdown to the 9th of July 2013.

a r t & c u l t u r e | p e o p l e

there for several days; we enjoyed the peace and quiet ofthe Swiss countryside. It was a perfect place for a holiday.Also it was the most relaxing time to get for time for myself.It was a very typical kind Swiss gesture. His kindness andfriendship were the reasons why I got involved in ZurichTattoo in the first place.

EF:You wear many hats - from Lieutenant Colonel toMusical Director - you have led an impressive career.Wasit always your dream to lead aTattoo Military band?GJ: I grew up in Derbyshire, whichis located just over the Welshborder. Located in the Middle-lands of the United Kingdom, it isthe heartland of brass bandterritory. Since the age of 6, I haveplayed in big bands. I started outon tenor horn and cornet. Myprincipal instrument became thetrombone. Years later, I learned toplay the harp, which is of course, aWelsh instrument. I come fromWelsh stock; my father is fromnorthern Wales and my motherfrom southern Wales. Technically, Iwas born in the next county, justbelow the border of Wales, in England. My mothermemorably once said, when I mentioned that I was born inEngland: “No Graham, a sheep is a sheep, whether it isborn in a shed.” I feel honoured and privileged to have hadthe opportunity to have a second career. It is a privilege to

About Tattoo:Graham O. Jones is one of

the founders of therenowned British Military

Open-Air spectacle, “Tattoo.”He has conducted twice atthe Edinburgh Tattoo andthrice at the Basel Tattoo.Additional performances

include Finland and Sweden.For the first time in Zurich’s

history, the city will behosting the official British

Military Open-Air Spectacle“Tattoo” in the heart of the

city. Performances will be bya fusion of internationalbands: Mexico, Jordan,

Singapore, England, Swedenand Switzerland.

The joy I have now, is thesame I had at eight to nineyears old. “It is an honourand a privilege to perform

and conductprofessionally- I get to domy hobby everyday!”

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the eternal snow aspect as one of the country’s top sites tobe seen.

We travel through Zurich towards to Lucerne. En routeAnnemarie expertly points out the sites with some handybackground facts. We pass the historical home turf of whereWilhelm Tell lived and rebelled against the AustrianHapsburgs. En route to along the Vierwaldstätter See (Lakeof the Four Cantons), we spot a small island where classicalmusic composer, Richard Wagner, lived. The scenery ismagnificent on a dreary winterish day, and as if on cue, thesun comes out as we enter Lucerne. We leave the bus for ashort walk to visit the “Lion Monument” a carving insandstone of a grieving lion leaning on a shield with a Swissflag. Mark Twain once remarked as a tourist himself lookingat the monument that it was: ”the saddest statute he hadever seen.” Danish sculptor Bertel Thorvaldsen designed itin memory of Swiss guards who died defending Louis VXIand Marie Antoinette in 1812.

The tour bus finally pulls up in Engelberg, a tourist haventown at the base of Mount Titlis. Our tour guide makes onelast announcement prior to the ascent: “please be careful ofthe skiers.” This instruction comes as a bit of a collectivesurprise. According to the calendar, we are officially intoday three of spring, and April is just around the corner.Carrying the latest sports equipment, the skiers hustle by tocatch the rotating gondolas. We line up to collect our ticketsfrom Annemarie, who explains the gondola routes. We will

Crowds of tourists from all over the world: China, Mexico,the United States, Thailand and India to name a few, gatherand line up at a stationary gondola car to collect their ticketsfor day trips all over Switzerland. The Best of Switzerlandtours conveniently commence their journeys at a busparking lot adjacent to Zurich Main Station, and theLandesmuseum, another of the City of Zurich’s landmarks.

For a small country with a notoriously far-reaching railwaynetwork, the hustle and bustle of the tour buses issomewhat of a curiosity. Being located right next to one ofEurope’s main railway hubs adds to the contrast. As I stepinto the relatively small parking lot, a throng ofsnowboarders and tourists carrying snow shoes push byme. Suddenly, I feel as if I were in Times Square. Excitementis in the air.

Our tour guide expertly pops through the crowd, collectsher passenger list from the stationary gondola car, whichserves as the ticket booth. Annemarie Bärtschi greets uswarmly, positioned next to the bus driver. Speaking inEnglish, Spanish and Swiss-German, her announcementscome fluidly and expertly as the bus driver pushes his wayout of Zurich.

The waiver form we are asked to fill out seems almosttypically American to me. “Anything you do on the mountainis at your own risk.” OK, fair warning. My curiosity peaks asthe Best of Switzerland management team had mentioned

“Nice people get nice weaThe Angels smile uponMount Titlis touches theheavens, standing tall at 3020 m

By Erika Frey-Hasegawa

be travelling over several mountain slopes to transfer to theTitlis Rotair, which will travel up to the top of the mountainpeak at 10,000 feet or 3020 metres. Our gondolacompanions, a young couple from Mexico, excitedly studythe transit map. Even as a world traveller, it is the first timethat I have witnessed such an extensive gondola route. Thesight of gondolas coming and going is spectacular. Eachgondola is decorated with a colourful flag representing adifferent nation.

After completing a steep climb to the transfer station, abouta 30-minute ride later, we arrive at the gondola transferstation. Here the skiers expertly shuffle into a largergondola. There is standing room only. The operator is in thecentre with protective metal bars enclosing him. He greetsus by means of a dangling microphone attached to a radiowave transistor. The gondola smoothly and majesticallystarts its transit. The sensation as we glide through the air ismajestic.

Thanks to the Titlis Rotair technology, the panoramic viewsare truly 360 degrees. The trails of cables up and downserve as a reminder that we are in fact not flying. Quickly, wereach the top of the mountain. The skiers rush out. A fewmetres outside the station, they quickly put on their skis andhead off and beyond. As I catch my breath outside thebuilding, I proceed to the terrace to look at the view, wherea small crowd is gathering. Then it hits me. The view is bar

eather.n us”…All photos © Erika Frey

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an ice cave could in an ironically surprising way, be warmand comfortable. We decide to walk around on themountaintop and enjoy the rest of our brief visit soaking upthe sun. The air feels incredibly fresh and clean. As the timecomes to head back down the mountain, we find ourselvesin the same gondola as our Mexican companions frombefore. We reminisce what an outer worldly feeling being ata 10,000 feet elevation is. The accessibility of the eternalsnow, the close reach of the mountain peaks, and the sunshining toward the fluffy clouds makes for a perfect day.

En route back to Zurich, we spot the airplane factory wherethe James Bond film Goldfinger was filmed in the area in1964. A model of the Titlis Rotair cable car sits by the sideof the road. As we circle the roundabout and head back tourban life, I dream about how life in the Swiss countrysidecould be. Swiss chocolate and cheese factory memorieslinger. The tour bus arrives back in the depot next to ZurichHB. Saying goodbye, we feel magically refreshed from ourjourney to the peaks and valleys of the heart of Switzerland.

none the best I have ever seen. The clouds gently surroundthe peaks of the Alps and the sun is shining brightly.

Skiers are enjoying a quick break and soaking in the sun.Beyond the terrace, there are several adventurous activitiesto be explored. I chose the Cliff Walk, a metallic hangingbridge suspended between two mountainsides. Theapproximately 50-metre walk is daunting to some likemyself, even with gymnastic experience. However, the viewis like an eagle’s view. The details of the crevices of themountains are like nowhere else. My senses are peaked asI concentrate to cross this highest suspension bridge inEurope. It is easy to feel out of this earth as birds elegantlyswoop by ignoring the people pointing at them.

Our next stop leads into the heart of the mountain. TheGlacier Walk is aptly named, as one is surrounded by icethat oddly, does not feel ice-y cold. The path has been dugout and cloth has been laid down to protect explorers fromslipping. Ice sculptures peak out from deep corners of theinsides of the mountain. I can imagine that sleeping inside

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17

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a r t & c u l t u r e | t y p i c a l s w i s s

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where he took up several jobs in different mountain farmingoperations over the next 4 years, learning how to makecheese in Wallis, making hay and milking cows in Tessin,traveling around with farmers in the Pyranese and evenventuring to far-off New Zealand to learn some English, traveland take a course in the art of shearing sheep. According toNicolas, mountain-dwelling people of the Alps share a similarmentality, which is borne of its simplicity and proximity tonatural elements. Nicolas feels quickly at home among thisfolk regardless of their nationality.

Once Nicolas met his future wife, Lena Poletti (24) on AlpLudera in the Prättigau region, perhaps he started lookingforward a bit more. He realized that a person with hisqualifications but no farm to call his own would never be ableto earn enough to support a family in Switzerland. So he sethimself about the task of becoming self-employed. He figuredthat if he could get some customers in the relatively newbovine pedicure business combined with sheep shearing inthe autumn and winter months, and then continue to manageAlps in the summer, he might just make a decent living forhimself. So in late 2011, he enrolled in a weeklong bovine hoofcare course and bought the equipment he would need, whichconsisted of special knives and angle grinders fitted withpurpose-made blades.The biggest investment by far, however,was a second-hand hydraulic stand for holding the cows inplace while they are being worked on which he had to drive toHolland for.

Once Nicolas was ready to start, he took out a smalladvertisement in an agricultural magazine. Much to hissurprise, within a couple weeks he had been contacted by not

There aren’t many of us who can claim to have started trainingfor our jobs at the tender age of three, but for NicolasUntersteiner (28), whose occupation is bovine pedicurist (or,‘Klauaschniider’ in Swiss German), this is very much the case.For at this age, Nicolas was spending summers far back in ValChaschauna, in the southeastern corner of Switzerland, merekilometres from the Italian border, living on the alp that hisparents managed in the summer months. At the age of threeNicolas would help with what he was able, which meantlooking after a small lot of pigs. But it wasn’t long before hewas given his own small herd of young cows. At age 14, hewas responsible for a herd of roughly 250 head, and at theage of 16 he and a cousin took over the management of theChaschanella Alp, the next operation down the road, locatedin the next valley over, fully 1 hour on foot. Nicolas reminiscesof this first time living without the burden of parentalsupervision. But without doubt it was a lot of responsibility theboys had been entrusted with and they took their job seriously.

In those days his father would make cheese entirely by hand,using fire to heat the cauldrons, hand cranks to churn thebarrels. Nicolas remembers spending hours cranking away atthe butter churn as soon as he was big enough to manage it.His father would give it a hefty turn to get it going and Nicolasand his brother were expect to keep it going for the next hour.At the age of 17 Nicolas left his friends and family in his nativeVinschgau in Southern Tyrolia, and ventured to former EastGermany and a former state-run farm that was several timesbigger than any operation he had worked on till then. There hespent three years as an apprentice of agriculture and tried hishand at every facet of the operation.It was not long before he was drawn back to his native Alps

Putting the best hoof fDer Klauaschniider

By Justin Brunjes

one, but two men in the field who were looking to get out of thebusiness and keen to find someone to take their clients offtheir hands. With this stroke of luck, Nicolas was able to buildup a strong customer base virtually overnight. Now, he isalready booked out and has to turn some potential clientsaway.

A lifetime’s experience of working with and tending to cows isthe source of Nicolas’ intuition and a rarefied skill set, whichaids him in his present occupation. Most of us would have ahard time distinguishing one cow from another in a herd letalone being able to tell if they have correct posture or not. ButNicolas can. When on the alp he and his wife know all theiranimals by name, and he has a keen eye for seeing ifsomething is ailing one of them. When doing his pedicures, hemust remain intensely concentrated for long periods. Beingpaid by the cow, the more efficiently he works, the better hishourly rate, but making a mistake could result in tender feet forthe animal and a loss of custom from the farmer. Nicolas ishappy when he can do 30 head, or 120 hoofs, in a day. Someof his peers shoot for twice that.

The hoof maintenance season ends in May, and then in JuneNicolas will return with Lena, their son, Chasper (2), anddaughter Jelscha (3 months) to Alp Vaüglia perched at 2265meters above sea level overlooking the Chaschauna valley ofhis childhood. It is an idyllic world on the alp. No hustle andbustle, no hubbub of voices, no rumbling of passing traffic. NoInternet connections and often not even mobile phonereception. One is free to roam the unrestricted countryside. Itis a modest life filled with the kinds of treasure that areincreasingly rare in this day and age.

f forwardAll photos © Justin Brunjes

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About the Author:Justin Brunjes

has been a resident ofSwizerland for 11 years andhas now lived in the Engadin

for 4.

About Engadin:Widely known for its high-

class tourism, the Engadin isalso a winter sports paradiseof spectacular natural beauty

as well as one of the lastenclaves of Romansh

speakers, Switzerland’s 4thnational language. The

Engadin’s special variety ofdeeply engrained Swiss

traditions, mixed withcontemporary

cosmopolitanism, make ittruly a unique place

Powerful opportunities forlearning in SwitzerlandThe Inter-Community School in Zurich firmly believes that learning beyond the

classroom, as well as within, adds value to a rigorous educational experience. With its

vast natural and cultural resources, Switzerland is a perfect environment for ‘learning

through doing’.

Four pillars of learning

“In classrooms we often ask prescribed questionsand look for particular answers,” they say. “But in'real' environments, students come up with manyquestions that embody the process of inquiry. As aninquiry-based school, we need to provide spaces forthat to occur. By deliberately structuring authentic

learning experiences outside theclassroom, we can foster not onlythe s tuden ts ' i n te l l ec tua ldevelopment, but physical andemotional development aswell.”

These learning experiences arelinked to students' age, buildingon the innate curiosity of childrento discover and make meaning ofthe natural world. As studentsprogress through the school, the

experiences become increasingly sophisticated.

Our youngest students take part in Waldkinderclasses (forest learning) outside every week,benefiting from the beautiful forest area right on theirdoorstep. This winter, the children noticed changesin the forest stream and the way ice had formed in itone week, but had melted by the next. Using their

There are four pillars of learning, according toUNESCO's Delors Report on 21st centuryeducation. They are 'learning to know', 'learning todo' (learning through experience), 'learning to livetogether', and 'learning to be'.

While all schools have focusedon 'learning to know' (developingintellect), leading educators havelong championed 'learningthrough doing' as well becausethey know that the classroom'spotential for helping studentsachieve effective learning issignif icant ly leveraged byopportunities to put that learningin a real-life context.

At the Inter-Community School in Zurich (ICS),'learning through doing' is integrated into thecurriculum right across the school. According to theICS Leadership Team - Head of School Mary-LynCampbell, Primary Principal Timothy Moynihan andSecondary Principal Rebecca Butterworth - suchexperiences are invaluable.

ICS Inter-CommunitySchoolStrubenacher 3, Postfach8126 ZumikonSwitzerlandwww.icsz.ch

“By deliberately

structuring authentic

learning experiences

outside the classroom,

we foster students'

holistic development.”

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e d u c a t i o n | I C S i n t e r - c o m m u n i t y s c h o o l

The Inter-Community School is a private co-educational day school on the outskirts of Zurich providing a world-classinternational education to students aged 3 to 19. Our school is committed to providing a supportive and enabling learningenvironment. Our modern, purpose-built campus is easily accessible by public transport and is just 15 minutes from theStadelhofen train station and the centre of Zurich. For more information about ICS, please contact Annina Caveng atadmissions@icsz.ch or call +41 44 919 83 00.

Every year Grade 9 students do a field studiesproject in Glarus. By measuring the flow of the riverNiederenbach, they develop an understanding ofthe importance of river dynamics in Switzerland tohelp control erosion and prevent floods. This cross-curricular Humanities and Mathematics projectinfuses real-world relevance into their learning. Thestudents have to go out into the river to measure itsflow at different points, collect the data and compile itinto a report. Science teacher Eric Eckstein andHumanities teacherCliveGreaves explain: “This tripinvolves some quite complicated maths includingusing geometry to calculate area and volume. Oneof the great benefits of this trip is that some of thestudentswho have difficulty with themaths conceptsin the classroom find this difficulty disappears whenthey are doing the project in context. When they arethere in the river, they can really visualise what was,up until then, a relatively abstract problem.”

Building understanding

Confucius reputedly said: “Tell me and I will forget,show me and I may remember, involve me and I willunderstand.” This is as true now as it was then. Themany and varied learning experiences that ICSstudents have help them to build this understanding.

natural curiosity as a learning opportunity, thestudents and teacher together devised a way to testhow ice was formed, and what caused it todisappear. This, says Kindergarten teacher MicheleBaker, epitomises the value of learning throughdoing: “Active learning in a natural landscapeencourages the development of innovation,problem-solving, risk-taking, creativity andteamwork.”

Older students also leave the classroom for somelearning experiences. Grade 3 spends a weekstudying a Swiss rural community by living in one.There they meet residents, take part in typicalactivities and discover local culture. Their inquiriesinto how such communities work and how theyadapt to change are greatly enhanced by theopportunity to see one for themselves. Prior to theirtrip, Grade 3 students read about and discuss theways in which a community and its environment areinter-connected. But when they can experience it forthemselves, they make an emotional connectionthat prompts deeper critical thought about, forexample, whether or not the changes that havetaken place in this community have been beneficial.The result is a greater sophistication in their level ofunderstanding.

ICS Inter-CommunitySchool

Strubenacher 3, Postfach8126 Zumikon

Switzerlandwww.icsz.ch

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| a d v e r t i s e m e n t

Sukehiro Hasegawae x p a t s | i n s i d e r p r o f i l e

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and more choose to come and remain here. It will withoutdoubt remain the centre of the international community, aplace where ideas are born, and where international normsand standards are set.

You spent some time living and working in Geneva. Whatwas your own personal experience of the place when youwere based here?

Sukehiro Hasegawa started his career with the UnitedNations in 1969, working in countries such as Somalia,Rwanda and East Timor. Since 2007, he has been teachingcourses on peacebuilding and global governance at HoseiUniversity and the United Nations University in Tokyo. Hewas recently appointed Special Advisor to the PrimeMinister of East Timor, or the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste as it is officially called. In this interview, I asked himabout his peacekeeping work and his time spent in theUnited Nations European Headquarters in Geneva.

Our meeting point, the Palais des Nations — once home tothe League of Nations, and now the United Nations — hasbecome a symbol of international Geneva.Why are so manyinternational organizations and non-governmentalorganizations drawn here?It is the unique environment of Geneva that is highlyconducive to the work carried out by these organizations. Ithink this is for two reasons. Firstly, it is a city where peopleare able to come and talk freely. The different delegationsand organizations can be open and honest in the politicaland culturally free atmosphere of Geneva, which is notnecessarily the case in other cities. The second reason isthe attitude and generosity of the Swiss people andgovernment. Switzerland works hard to maintain highstandards not only in its public service but also itsimpartiality in the conduct of human affairs more broadly.For both of these reasons, Geneva continues to be the idealplace for international organizations, and that’s why more

By Stéphanie Thomson

Uniting nations:

© AP

© UN

During the reformation, people came to Geneva to escapepersecution; it was a place of religious, cultural and socialtolerance. My time in this city has showed me that thistradition is still very much alive. There are people from manydifferent countries and backgrounds, speaking a variety oflanguages, but everyone feels welcome, and no oneparticular group dominates. When I lived in Geneva, I feltfree and respected. In this sense, it’s unique. Thisuniqueness stems from its neutrality in inter-state politicsbut from its impartiality in advancing human rights andsocial progress. Not just political neutrality, but social andcultural as well.

So you don’t think Switzerland’s well-known policy ofneutrality is now replaced by its central role in setting normsand standards in global governance?On the contrary. The concept of neutrality is at the core ofmany efforts to build a more peaceful and stable world stilldominated by nations states of the Westphalia system. Takethe example of peacekeeping missions. In these missions,troops from many diferent countries work together as an actof global governance to maintain peace; yet they stillremain basically under the command of their nationalheadquarters. We have learned to exercise extremerestraint in the use of arms, and avoided taking any sidesamong parties in conflict. We have learned to stand firmand use arms to protect civilians. Far from impeding ourobjectives, this approach helps national authorities toexercise their responsibility to protect their own people.

VISIT THE U.N.To find out more about the

work of the United Nations inGeneva, book a guided tourby phoning +41 (0)22 917 4896 or +41(0)22 917 45 39, or

email visit-gva@unog.ch.

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faculté des lettres

FRENCH LANGUAGE SUMMER COURSES 2013COURSES AT ALL LEVELSfrom June 24th to August 23rd (3 separate sessions)

INTENSIVE COURSE FOR BEGINNERSfrom June 24th to August 23rd (9 weeks)

UNIVERSITY PREPARATORY COURSEfrom July 15th to August 23rd (6 weeks)

FOR PROGRAMMES AND INFORMATIONUni Bastions, 5 rue De-Candolle, CH-1211 Genève 4T. +41 22 379 74 34cefle@unige.ch | www.fle.unige.ch

© AFP

As you say, you have quite a lot of experience working inpeacekeeping missions.What have you found to be themain challenge in these post-conflict situations?The main challenge, and the challenge that remainsthroughout, is to change the mentality and mindsets of localpeople who have become accustomed to conflict, tobehaving in a way that puts their own interests above thoseof the country. One way of overcoming this is bystrengthening democracy and the rule of law. This providesa framework which helps to govern societies by restrainingthe desire for power and self-interest. To maintain peaceand stability until the democratic principles and norms ofgovernance can take their roots. In Timor-Leste, where Iserved as Special Representative of the UN SecretaryGeneral for two years, I found it possible to identify, supportand nurture leaders who place national interest about theirown. Being able to incorporate universal values and normsinto their local community, while preserving their traditionalstructure of governance and national identity, was key tobuilding democratic governance. But putting thesestructures in place takes time. This is the real challenge.

"the challenge that remainsthroughout, is to change the

mentality and mindset of people....".Sukehiro Hasegawa

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lake, our extraordinary location allows students to experiencethe peace, quiet, and extracurricular opportunities of a naturalsurrounding, while at the same time, having close proximity tothe international cities of Zug, Zurich and Lucerne.

The individualised support of each student has been acornerstone of our educational philosophy for more than 85years. In small class sizes limited to 15 students, teachers areable to give their students dedicated and tailored supportwhere it is needed, and are able to constantly challenge andnurture special talents. Our interdisciplinary approach toeducation allows students to develop as independent learnersand thinkers, well prepared for success and university andbeyond.

To find out more, book a campus tour, or speak toour admissions team, visit www.montana-zug.ch,

or email info@montana-zug.ch

Institut Montana is a boarding and day school with alongstanding tradition of internationalism and academicexcellence. Our 320 students are enrolled in one of our threeschools: the Bilingual Elementary School (grades 1-6), theInternational School (grades 7-12), and the Swiss Gymnasium(grades 7-12). In our interdisciplinary curricula, we offer atailored bilingual (German/English) primary school programme,the IGCSE Programme, the International Baccalaureate (IB)Diploma Programme, U.S. High School Diploma and the SwissMatura (bilingually or in German). Next to a high-qualityeducation, students enjoy a range of activities, including sportsand outdoor adventures, cultural trips, arts and music.

Founded in 1926, our school has a unique down-to-earth,Swiss-International and familial atmosphere. Our communityencompasses more than 40 nationalities, representing ourfounder’s vision of a truly international and multicultural school.We are located 15 minutes from the city of Zug, on the crest ofthe Zugerberg Mountain. Overlooking Zug and its beautiful

Institut Montana –A Swiss-International Boarding School

About EU:Established in 1973, European Universityis an international, triple accredited, multi-campus business school.EU offers a multi-cultural learning environment with innovativebusiness programmes at Business Foundation, Bachelor’s(BBA), Master’s (MBA) and Doctorate (DBA) levels. With small,personalized, dynamic classes offered in English at all of itsworldwide campuses, EU incorporates theory to practice, witha traditional focus on Entrepreneurship and Family BusinessManagement. European University is ranked in the top 40business schools in Europe out of 200 worldwide. EU has alsohad the honour of being recognized by the European Academyof Business in Society (EABIS) for its consistent dedication tocorporate social responsibility.

About the ILO:The Internal Labour Organisation is the oldest UN agency andwas created before the UN itself.It was founded in 1919, as part of the Treaty of Versailles thatended World War I, to reflect the belief that universal andlasting peace can be accomplished only if it is based on socialjustice. The ILO was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1969.

The certificate programme utilizes case studies, groupdiscussions and faculty experience to give participants thetools to incorporate sustainable business methods into variousaspects of business operations. A combination of ILO in-housesustainability experts and visiting faculty will lead theprogramme, which includes a tour of the ILO headquarters inGeneva.

At the end of the 3-day session students receive a completioncertificate, invaluable experience and ideas to take forward tofuture employers.

“Over the past two years we have been adding sustainabilitycomponents to our curriculum, stressing the message of goinggreen both around campus and in the classroom,“ saidEuropean University President, Dr Dirk Craen. “We are veryexcited to offer this opportunity to our students to reinforce thesustainability message while offering them a way todifferentiate themselves as they enter the job market and beginbuilding their careers.”For additional information please contact Kierre Childers, EUSwiss Campuses Community Manager via e-mail at:kierre.childers@euruni.edu

European University launches 2nd“Incorporating Sustainability into the SupplyChain” in collaboration with the ILO Fall 2013

e x p a t p a g e s | l e i s u r e t i m e

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alternative such as the British RYA cruising scheme, whichis more accessible, run in English and awards the mostwidely recognised qualifications in the world.

… and the good newsIf all the bad news has you despairing about getting on thewater in Switzerland, fear not! No licence is required forvessels under 15 m2 sail area and 6 kW engine power. Thisleaves a very wide range of watercraft available to you –from hired “pedalos” up to family dinghies and poweredcraft providing the engine does not exceed 6 kW (around 10hp). Incidentally the reason many yachts on Swiss lakeshave an outboard of around 6 – 8 hp, is so their ownershave the benefit of power for close quarters manoeuvringwithout needing to take an A licence exam. There is a livelydinghy racing/regatta scene in Switzerland under theauspices of the umbrella organisation Swiss Sailing, alongwith sailing clubs of various sizes in almost all watersidecommunities. If you have young children wanting to learn tosail in Optimists, there is plenty of opportunity. 2013 will seethe Wayfarer dinghy, a 16-foot family day sailor and trainingboat par excellence, one of the most popular dinghies in theUK, come to Switzerland formally for the first time in its 50-year history.

Dinghies have many advantages. In terms of sailing, it’s thepurest form and the perfect way of learning, as well as greatpreparation for larger yachts both in Switzerland and furtherafield. Sailing itself as an activity has obvious healthbenefits. On the other hand, if it is a dead calm, largerdinghies such as the Wayfarer can take an outboard engine,which also makes them handy if you like to fish from a boatrather than the shore, for example. Better yet, even thelargest dinghies are normally small enough to store in anordinary parking space, which removes the problems offinding an on-water mooring that plague the larger andmore popular lakes. They will also normally fit in a removallorry so you can take them with you if your assignment inSwitzerland comes to an end. And best of all, a day out ona dinghy with the family, taking a picnic or sailing to anothervillage on your lake for a good lunch, is a great way ofexploring your area with a wholly different perspective.

So instead of just looking out of your window yearning to beon the water, why not get out there this summer?

The bad news…As a resident of Switzerland, if you have lived here for morethan 12 months, or intend to do so you will almost certainlyneed to complete a Swiss qualification if you want to use aboat in excess of 15 m2 sail area or 6 kW engine power onSwiss waters. The exception to this is if you already held aqualification from Germany, Italy, France or Austria beforemoving here, in which case you may be able to obtain aSwiss licence on the basis of your existing qualification. Thelakes with shared borders have their own licensingrequirements and regulations, some of which differ from thegeneral Swiss requirements. On LakeConstance/Bodensee, for example, the engine power limitis just 4.4 kW.

In order to obtain the Swiss qualification, you will need totake a theory exam followed by a practical exam within nomore than 18 months. The theory exam is common to bothsail and motor, whilst there are separate exams andcertificates for motor (A Schein/permis A) and sail (DSchein/permis D). If you are used to sailing a 32 ft yachtwith a 35 hp engine in the Mediterranean, for example, itmight come as a shock that you would have to completeboth the A and the D licence exams to use an equivalentyacht here. If you fail to take the practical exam within 18months of passing the theory exam, the latter will expire andyou will have to retake it. The theory exam is a 45-minute,multiple-choice computer-based exam comprising 60questions with a strict pass mark of 56/60. In many cantons,including Zurich, this exam is available in English. Howeverit is also worth double-checking the questions against theirequivalents in one of the national languages if you knowone, as the translations are not always entirely clear.Unfortunately, at the time of writing, it is not usually possibletake the practical exam in English owing to a lack ofexaminers. You normally have to take the Swiss qualificationin your canton of residence. However, there are exceptions,such as a family member with a boat in another canton. Sodo check with your canton authorities about theirrequirements for taking your exams out of canton, for a fee,of course! It should be noted that the A and D licences areinland qualifications and are neither recognised nor valid onthe open sea. However, they are a pre-requisite for theSwiss coastal qualification, the B licence. If you want to sailin coastal areas outside Switzerland and don’t want to haveto take the Swiss inland licence first, you could consider an

Getting on the water in SwitzerlandBy Emma Gledhill

Not counting the 4 lakes that lie on the borders between Switzerland and France, Germany, Austria and Italy, there are over50 lakes in Switzerland with a surface area exceeding 1 km2. With so much water and not forgetting that the Swiss yachtAlinghi won the America’s Cup twice in succession - it is unsurprising that sailing is a popular sport. You may well be sittinglooking out of your window looking at a lake and wondering how to get on the water, especially if you already hold aqualification from another country. Well, there’s both good and bad news for you.

About the author:Emma Gledhill of Sail YSL

(www.sail-ysl.ch) is acommercial YachtmasterTM,RYA shore based instructorand cruising instructor. She

offers dinghy sailing,instruction, as well as RYA

theory courses in Switzerland.Emma offers skippered yachtcharters in Greece and is thesole distributor for Wayfarerdinghies in Switzerland. Shefounded and runs the SailingEnthusiasts in Zurich Meet

Up group, which meetsmonthly.

Sailing tips from a certified skipper

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