Social issues

“Open discourse is the central pillar of a free society”

The Westminster Declaration against censorship

(7 December 2023) We write as journalists, artists, authors, activists, technologists, and academics to warn of increasing international censorship that threatens to erode centuries-old democratic norms.

Coming from the left, right, and centre, we are united by our commitment to universal human rights and freedom of speech, and we are all deeply concerned about attempts to label protected speech as ‘misinformation’, ‘disinformation,’ and other ill-defined terms.

The price of climate alarmism

“Climate fear” is not the way to a better world

by Michael Klein,* Germany

(23 November 2023) Many activists and politicians believe they have to scare people in order to stop global warming. This has massive mental consequences, especially for the younger generation.

Switzerland

The malaise of school reforms

Interventions at the heart of school

by Christine Staehelin,* Basel

(1 November 2023) In her article Christine Staehelin, a primary school teacher with a degree in education, deals with the insufficient justifiability of many reforms and analyses the serious consequences with trenchant precision.

Swiss school system at the limit – everyone is losing out

Personal report of a teacher

by Vanessa Pestalozzi,* Switzerland

(18 October 2023) A lot of time and money, energy and personnel are invested in integrating children with behavioural problems or special needs in schools. A whole army of professionals takes care of them. For children without special needs and without behavioural problems, there is not much time and energy left; integration “at any price” is usually at their expense. And at the expense of teachers who coordinate the special settings.

Sweden during the Pandemic – Pariah or Paragon?

An assessment of Swedish COVID policy

by Johan Norberg,* Sweden

(10 October 2023) During the COVID-19 pandemic, Sweden stood out from other countries, stubbornly refusing lockdowns, school closures, and mask mandates. This was highly controversial and many outsiders saw it as a dangerous gamble with human lives. From a Swedish perspective, however, it looked like it was other countries that were engaging in a dangerous experiment.

How the WHO, Gates and BlackRock want to take over the world

by Beatrix von Storch,* Deutschland

(10 October 2023) Largely unnoticed by the public, the World Health Organization (WHO) is working to significantly expand its powers and usurp far-reaching control through
the back door. Alternative for Germany Deputy Chair in the Bundestag Beatrix von Storch reveals the US billionaires behind it and who bought whom.