Programming with purpose: Switzerland’s largest female hackathon sets an example for gender diversity

Over the weekend, #herHACK Switzerland’s largest female hackathon with over 200 participants took place in Zurich as part of Digital Day.

During 36 hours, women worked in teams to solve social problems that contribute to the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of the UN Agenda 2030. The event aims to encourage women to pursue careers in the technology industry. digitalswitzerland organized the event together with Amazon Web Services (AWS), Cognizant and other sponsors.

The Iconics team took first place and convinced the jury with a digital solution for sustainable and healthy eating. To kick off the Hackathon weekend, Federal Chancellor Walter Thurnherr visited the hackers on site in Zurich.

Download press release in German, French and Italian.

Download high resolution images here.

Photographer’s details: Moritz Schmid

The Swiss Digital Initiative is developing the world’s first Label to test and certify the trustworthiness of digital services. For the first time, SDI is now presenting the Digital Trust Label seal. From 2022, the Digital Trust Label will enable users to recognise trustworthy digital services at a glance. From now on, interested companies can register and be among the first whose digital services will be certified with the Digital Trust Label. To place the Label in the broader context of Digital Trust, the Swiss Digital Initiative is publishing a whitepaper with a holistic vision for trust in the digital world.

Download the press release in the sidebar or visit their website.

Digital Day will be held throughout Switzerland for the fifth time.

After the 6-week preliminary phase, which is entirely under the motto “learn and join the conversation”, the national Digital Day will be celebrated on 10 November.

On Digital Day itself, around 150 events will take place, from exciting discussions via livestream and podcasts, to on-site events at over 30 Swiss-wide venues. Digitalisation is in the spotlight throughout Switzerland.

Bern/Zurich, 13.10.2021 – The E-ID is an important component in driving Switzerland ahead in digitalisation. digitalswitzerland association therefore welcomes the fact that the Federal Council is quickly revisiting the topic of E-ID and launching the debate on the benefits and requirements of the Swiss E-ID with a public consultation. The consultation will be concluded on 14 October 2021 with a public discussion at a conference.

To the statement (only in German)

To the media release (in German and French)

Three-quarters of the Swiss population want to improve their digital skills following their experiences with home office, distant learning and online shopping during the Corona pandemic.

For employees, this is also about participating in the digital transformation: Six out of ten respondents to a representative survey expect the Internet and technology to create new jobs. In view of such prospects, the basic attitude toward digitisation remains positive.

The fifth edition of the Oliver Wyman study “Switzerland’s Digital DNA” is published as part of digitalswitzerland’s Swiss Digital Day.

Today’s press conference kicks off the 6-week pre-phase for Digital Day with a successful placement of Switzerland in terms of Digital Competitiveness.

From today until Digital Day on November 10, there are over 600 free events to choose from across Switzerland. Citizens can get involved in discussions about digitization, strengthen their digital skills and raise their awareness of digital change processes.

Read the press releases in German, French or Italian.

For the fifth year in a row, this major event on the topic of digitalisation will bring together the Swiss population to address the opportunities and challenges of digital change.

On 10 November, it will be that time again and the Swiss Digital Day, initiated by digitalswitzerland will take place nationwide. During the 6 weeks before Digital Day, from 29 September to 9 November, even more participants than ever can choose from hundreds of activities to develop ideas together, discuss issues of an increasingly digital future and acquire digital skills.

Press release available in German, French and Italian.

At 61.1 years, the average age of older employees in information and communications technology (ICT) is comparatively low. This is the conclusion of a recent study by digitalswitzerland on mobilising the potential of skilled workforce.

Even before the regular retirement age is reached, valuable workforce potential is lost – this must be prevented in view of the high shortage of skilled workers in ICT. The study shows measures that companies and policymakers can take to keep skilled professionals in the workforce longer.  

Federal Councillor Karin Keller-Sutter will deliver the opening address. Maria Victoria Haas and Tanya König will moderate through the evening held on 11 November at the Hallenstadion Zurich.

Find out more about awards categories and awards information here.

Photo credit: Eduard Maltzer

The General Assembly elected Sascha Zahnd as the new President of digitalswitzerland this morning. He succeeds Ivo Furrer, who is stepping down after three years in office, but will continue to make a significant contribution to digitalswitzerland as a board member.

The 6th Annual General Meeting of digitalswitzerland was held for the last time under the leadership of the previous President Ivo Furrer. “Sascha Zahnd will bring his complementary knowledge and wealth of experience to bear in a targeted manner for the benefit of digitalswitzerland and thus be able to ideally further develop the strategy in line with the course already set,” says Ivo Furrer.

Sascha Zahnd from Bern was one of Tesla founder Elon Musk’s closest associates until the end of 2020. As head of Tesla Europe, he was responsible for sales of the Model 3, as well as for preparations for the Gigafactory in Berlin, the expansion of the Supercharger charging network and the development of the service infrastructure. Sascha Zahnd previously held the position of Vice President of Global Supply Chain and had been a member of the Tesla Inc. management team in Palo Alto, California since 2016.

“We would like to express our great thanks and sincere appreciation to Ivo Furrer for his dedicated service and formative leadership over the past three years as president of digitalswitzerland,” says Marc Walder, founder of digitalswitzerland.