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Switzerland

Switzerland. Political Overview. Democracy with a federal structure Elections are free and fair Voters support the government and armed forces Maintain a strong sense of neutrality in foreign policy One of the richest countries . Government Functions . President and parliamentary system

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Switzerland

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  1. Switzerland

  2. Political Overview • Democracy with a federal structure • Elections are free and fair • Voters support the government and armed forces • Maintain a strong sense of neutrality in foreign policy • One of the richest countries

  3. Government Functions • President and parliamentary system • Doris Leuthard, President • Moritz Leuenberger, Vice President • Federal system with political authority shared between the central government • Executive authority vested in federal council • Separate states joined together for security • Swiss Confederation is comprised of 26 smaller political units known as cantons Government building in Winterthur, Switzerland

  4. Human Rights • Government respects the civil and human rights of the citizens • When individual abuse is reported the law provide effective means of dealing with the situation • Security forces known to use excessive force against detainees, minorities, and asylum seekers • Ethnically motivated incidences against the African, Muslim, and Jewish population is a growing concern • Lack of anti-discrimination legislation Home of the United Nations Office of Human Rights.

  5. Equality • 1981- Established law of equality between men and women • 1988- Federal Office for Equality of Women and Men was established • 1996- Law banning discrimination in workplace

  6. Citizens • Population of approximately 7.5 million • Life expectancy at Birth is 80 years • Unemployment rate 3.8% • 1.5 million foreign residents • Foreigners mainly Yugoslavia and Italy • Ethnicity • Germans 65% • French 18% • Italian 10% • Religion • Roman Catholic 46% • Protestant 40% • Smaller groups of Christian, Jews, and Muslims also reside

  7. Languages • Languages- Four official Languages • German 74% • French 20% • Italian 4.5% • Romanic .8%

  8. Education • Above average spending for education. • Pays highest wages to teachers of all European countries • Above average results in science and mathematics compared to other European countries • 70% students receive vocational training

  9. Natural Resources • Covered by an Alpine massif extends from west to east • Jura mountains and Alps • Rhone and Rhine rivers run through the country but are not used for commercial traffic • Rhine river has important ports • Many lakes support fishing • Alpine region contributes to hydroelectric power, accounts for 60% domestically produced electricity • No minerals or other deposits • High environmental standards Sees Fee, Switzerland Geneva, Switzerland

  10. Infrastructure • Increase of cost of major infrastructures; railroads, telephones because of mountainous terrain • Transport is excellent • Road and motorway is held in great condition • Railway network is extensive • Safety standards are high Stadler Train

  11. Business • Punctuality is taken very seriously. • Business cards are acceptable in English • Give card to each person you meet • Plan in advance if you need an interpreter • Climate is conservative • Meetings are impersonal, orderly, and time oriented

  12. Graubünden Bread Graubunden Jura Ticino Valais Vaud Zug Chocolate

  13. Dining and etiquette • Business entertainment is typically conducted at a restaurant • Typically after the business meeting • Not uncommon for spouses to be included • Hot proposes the first toast • Do not drink until after the toast is proposed • Keep hands on table at all times, not in your lap • Elbows off table • Cut all soft foods with fork (potato, fruit) • Use utensils to eat all foods • Break bread with hands Mountain restaurant Nendez, Switzerland

  14. Gift giving • Wait until the end of meeting • Do not give an obviously expensive gift • Book or artifact from your culture is welcomed

  15. Verbal and nonverbal communication • Be punctual • Show respect for elderly • Don’t litter • Do not chew gum • Do no put hands in pockets when speaking

  16. Summary • Strong government • Culturally rich and diverse • Education is important • Business is welcomed and thriving • Beautiful Natural resources and lots of tourism

  17. Bibliography • CEducation. (2008). Country Profile. Switzerland, 13-14. Retrieved from EBSCOhost. • Government Functions. (2011). Switzerland Country Review, 46-48. Retrieved from EBSCOhost. • "Information about Switzerland." Information about Switzerland. 27 Sept. 2010. Web. 07 Oct. 2011. <http://www.about.ch/>. • Levy, Patricia, and Richard A. Lord. Switzerland. New York: Marshall Cavendish Benchmark, 2005. Print. • People. (2011). Switzerland Country Review, 122-125. Retrieved from EBSCOhost. • Weckerle, Christoph, Manfred Gerig, and Michael Söndermann. Creative Industries • Switzerland: Facts, Models, Culture. Basel: Birkhäuser, 2008. Print. • Country Overview. (2011). Switzerland Country Review, 1. Retrieved from EBSCOhost.

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