Page 8 - Pakistan Link - April 26, 2019

P8 – PAKISTAN LINK – APRIL 26, 2019 OPINION
n By C. Naseer Ahmad What the Swiss Touch Can Teach Us for Civil and Human Rights along
Washington, DC with the Swiss Consulate General
and the UN to discuss the idea of
here are more people living building sustainable cities in At-
in Karachi than the entire lanta. ‘Empowering Young Voices
Tcountry of Switzerland, ac- in Foreign Policy’ in New York
cording to the most recent cen- City brought together key stake-
sus fi gures. If we holders to discuss how to inspire
combine the pop- the next generation. ‘Humanitar-
ulation of Lahore ian Protection in the Digital Age’
and Karachi, then in San Francisco and ‘Innovation
there are probably and Humanitarian Aid’ in New
three times more York City were great events for
people than the discussing topics that are most rel-
entire population of Switzerland. evant today.
But when you take into ac- ‘Keeping up with Digital In-
count other factors, such as per- formation’, a unique event at the
sonal income, the ranking of National Archives in Washing-
universities and happiness index, ton, addressed the ‘challenge of
Switzerland - a country lacking Touch, Project Manager. ing but frigid heights in famous In the United States, this storing, preserving and securing
natural resources like natural gas Using two identical tables winter skiing resort Zermatt near campaign started from iconic sur- mountains of record - both digital
and oil - surpasses at every level. known as the ‘Swiss Touch’ tables the Matterhorn. It was a revealing roundings near the Lincoln Me- and physical.” To explore ideas on
Th is should give some food for as vehicles for discussion, the conversation about climate change morial on the Mall. People from how to build smart communities
thought not just for national and campaign embodies the ‘duality of with input from people who are diff erent walks of life came up to in future, the Swiss Touch cam-
provincial leaders but also head of contemporary Switzerland as a na- the Swiss Touch table to converse paign brought together experts
households concerned about their tion that embodies tradition and a ‘Keeping up with Digital with HE Ambassador Martin Da- from ETH Zurich, DC Offi ce of
families’ future. fertile ground for innovation. Th is Information’, a unique event hinden about whatever question Planning and the National Plan-
For a lot of people in Pakistan, sets the stage for a ‘neutral ground they could think of at the moment. ning Commission at the iconic
Switzerland might be a country for free discussion.’ at the National Archives Th ese tables travel across the National Building Museum.
where the rich and well connect- Th ese tables are made of aged in Washington, addressed United States for events organized Th rough these series of events
ed hide their money. Some might wood from the old Hörnlihütte at the ‘challenge of storing, by the network of Swiss diplomats centered on the Swiss Touch table,
know about the Swiss Family Rob- the foot of the Matterhorn. Skilled preserving and securing meeting and discussing various the information provided is both
inson, Swiss Cheese, the high pre- Swiss product designers hand- mountains of record - both topics with experts in diff erent timely and useful.
cision Swiss watches or the scenic craft ed these tables of the material digital and physical.” To fi elds. Sometimes these events are Th is ingenious way reintro-
views from the Jung Frau moun- from the Swiss ash tree and are hosted by quasi-governmental or- duces Switzerland, a country that
tain in Bollywood movies. sustainable. explore ideas on how to build ganizations like SwissNex. ranks high is so many categories
Th ere is a lot to know and Built with quintessential smart communities in future, During March through June from top ranked universities to
learn about Switzerland. So for Swiss innovative methods, these the Swiss Touch campaign 2019 in San Francisco, the cam- the happiness index of its citizens
those who are interested, Switzer- tables serve as a medium to both brought together experts paign showcases ‘Swiss Touch not to mention the list of Nobel
land seems to have come up with a tell the Swiss story as well as hav- from ETH Zurich, DC Offi ce Builds a House.’ Th is interesting Prize winners and technical inno-
brilliant way to share the country’s ing a meaningful and stimulating eff ort provides a visual journey vations.
message via the ‘Swiss Touch’ cam- conversation. Th ese tables can of Planning and the National through research on the digital How wonderful it would be if
paign communicating the message project images and live stream Planning Commission at transformation of architecture and the civil society and governmen-
in a beautiful way covering a host content enabling the wood surface the iconic National Building construction. tal leaders learn something from
of topics ranging from drones, 3D to act as a touch screen, thereby Museum Th ere are tremendous ideas the Swiss Touch instead of being
printing, performing arts, sports encouraging interaction from us- explored and discussed at the focused on ideological purity and
to cyber security. Th is eff ort is ‘at ers, both online and offl ine. experiencing or witnessing the ef- Swiss Touch events throughout the expensive and counterproduc-
the heart of the public diplomacy’ Th e fi rst conversation actu- fects of this phenomenon on their the United States. For instance, tive military competition with a
in US, says Sarah Shafi k, Swiss ally took place in the command- business or daily life. the Swiss Touch joined the Center neighboring country.

www.PakistanLink.com