Social issues

“Life goes on even where it seems to have been shattered”

In honour of Guido A. Zäch

by Dr Sabine Vuilleumier-Koch*

(13 March 2026) Hundreds of people wished to pay their respects to the doctor and founder of the Swiss Paraplegic Foundation.1 Guido A. Zäch established this foundation in 1975 and, in 1978, the Association of Benefactors, which now has 2 million members. In 1980, he founded the Swiss Paraplegics Association as an organisation for people with spinal cord injuries, and in 1990 opened the “Swiss Paraplegics Centre” (SPC) and, in 2005, the Guido A. Zäch Institute. – He passed away at the age of 90 on 16 February 2026. Across the country, all interested parties were invited on 28 February and were able to attend the tribute ceremony in various buildings of the SPZ.

The “Epstein scandal” and its socio-psychological consequences

Legal action is urgently needed

by Robert Seidel*

(13 March 2026) At the end of January, the largest portion to date of the Epstein files (several million documents, 180,000 images and 2,000 videos) was published.1 The “Epstein case” offers a glimpse into a part of the international power structure that operates beyond governments, the UN, the WHO or the WEF, and beyond the rule of law. A full investigation and legal reckoning are required.

Who benefits from age verification on social media?

When child abusers want to protect children from TikTok, it’s probably about something else

by Norbert Häring*

(6 March 2026) A ban on social media for children and young people is being pushed worldwide, supposedly to protect them. It is being driven by a global “elite” that has abused and tormented young people and children for decades and continues to protect the perpetrators to this day. In reality, they want to put an end to unmonitored use of the internet.

Benefits, freedom, self-government

Peter Blickle analyses communalism in Switzerland and Europe

by Beat Kappeler*

(27 February 2026) (CH-S) Renowned journalist Beat Kappeler draws on the research of historian Peter Blickle to explore what makes Switzerland so unique. How did the Swiss manage to preserve so many rights and avoid organising their state in a hierarchical manner, unlike France, Germany or Italy? How did the independent and wealthy cities and municipalities of Europe come to submit to centralised power?

A trip to Moscow – in the service of people’s diplomacy

by Anita Meyenberger

(20 February 2026) The Eurasia Association invited “upright Swiss citizens” to Moscow on a dialogue trip for peace to engage in diplomacy from a citizen’s perspective. On 24 January, the participants met at Kloten Airport near Zurich to begin their journey. Tickets from “Turkish Airlines” for the flight via Istanbul to Moscow, an electronic visa for Russia, hotel reservations and a metro card provided the material requirements for the trip – the participants felt the costs were worth it. Roubles could only be purchased in Moscow.
Greece

“Exodos” – Panhellenic movement against digital totalitarianism

(6 February 2026) (CH-S) A movement against “digital totalitarianism” has formed in Greece. “Exodos” opposes mandatory digital identity with the aim of preserving human dignity. The founding declaration, which is also available in English, warns of the danger that digitalisation will not only destroy fundamental democratic rights, but also undermine the substance of human coexistence.