SSCG-Newsletter 02 / July 2021

Editorial

Dear Reader

Just in time for summer vacation, we can breathe a sigh of relief - at least for now. The Covid virus is not gone, but the confinement and home schooling, the social distance and the mandatory masks are gone for now. Post-Corona is already partly like pre-Corona. On the trains and buses, all the seats are occupied again. On the radio, you can hear reports about traffic jams every morning and evening. Climate change, the relationship with the EU and old-age provision are once again in the spotlight. And the retirement homes will soon be full again. But home offices and Zoom meetings instead of business flights will remain.

Social cohesion and help among neighbors increased significantly during the first containment. Today, however, in almost every country, society is more divided than before the pandemic. Beyond ideological debates about freedom and security, this is due to the fact that the distribution of power and the task of controlling power between the Federal Council and Parliament, between the Confederation and the cantons, and between the state, the economy, academia, the media and civil society were and are not coherent, clear and understandable. A fundamental debate on the reasonable, fair and sustainable distribution of power and responsibility, tasks and competences between the social actors is long overdue, regardless of the Corona viruses. But now more than ever.

I wish you a stimulating read and a relaxing summer.

Lukas Niederberger, Director SSCG

Social cohesion

Workshops lead to innovative ideas

Over the past two years, the SSCG held ten workshops with experts from across the country and from all sectors of society to identify the greatest future challenges to social cohesion and to explore innovative approaches to solving them. Read more...

7th SSCG Conference on Volunteering

When communities, associations and businesses work together

Many societal challenges today can no longer be solved by individuals and families, the state, the economy, or the civil society alone. When sectors of society come together, sustainable and innovative solutions emerge. This is also the case with promoting voluntary work. Read more...

Swiss National Anthem

To sing or not to sing – that’s the question

The players of the Swiss national team are not the only ones who do not sing the current text of the Swiss national anthem. On August 1, communities and cities as well as Swiss associations around the world are invited to sing the new proposed text for the anthem, in addition to the traditional Swiss psalm. Read more ....

General Assembly

New executive board elected

The 190th General Assembly of the SSCG should have been held in Altdorf. Due to the pandemic, the GA was again held in writing. The new Executive Board was elected for a four-year term of office. Read more...

Support for people in poverty

Social assistance belongs to the federal level

The SSCG supports families and individuals affected by poverty with half a million Swiss francs per year. The SSCG is now proposing a framework law in the field of social assistance. The following commentary by the director of the SSCG was published in the “Neue Zürcher Zeitung” on June 25, 2021. Read more...

Societies for Common Good

A national network will be born

The creation of the Swiss Network of Societies for Common Good (SNSCG) aims to strengthen the exchange and cooperation between the Societies for Common Good (SCG). On August 25, 2021, the network will celebrate its launch in Zurich. Read more...

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