Founded in 1968, the International Women’s Club of Lausanne is a vibrant, volunteer-run club where women of all nationalities connect, build friendships and enjoy life in Switzerland. Through shared experiences, cultural exchange and a varied programme of activities, they create the belonging and connection that help women thrive. We caught up with Meredith Shafer, IWC Lausanne President, and she answered some questions for us.
Settle in, get involved and discover something new. We help newcomers navigate life in Switzerland, feel at home and build lasting friendships. Members can share their experience, develop skills and pursue new passions through activities including, but not limited to, art and music appreciation, skiing, hiking, tennis, pickleball, cooking, reading, gardening, wine evenings and language conversation. Regular coffee meetups and monthly presentations provide even more opportunities to connect and take part in club life.
Moving to a new city—or simply looking to expand your world—can be exciting, but building a community takes time. Since 1968, the International Women’s Club of Lausanne (IWC) has been bringing women together from Lausanne and around the world, creating a place where newcomers can find their footing, long-time residents can make new connections, and everyone can share a little of what makes life in Switzerland special. With more than 200 members representing a wonderfully diverse mix of nationalities, backgrounds and life experiences, IWC is less about where you come from and more about the people you meet and the experiences you share.
Silvia and Agathe
Swiss Organizers Academy was founded by two professional home organizers, Silvia Rori and Agathe Chabloz, who work in Geneva and the canton of Vaud.
On a daily basis, they assist individuals who want to declutter their homes, better organize their spaces, prepare for a move, or simply create a home that’s more functional and easier to live in.
This hands-on experience sparked a desire to take things further and share their expertise. With Swiss Organizers Academy, they have created a space dedicated to home organizing, designed for both those who wish to make it their career and the general public.
They explained their philosophy, "It’s not about creating perfect interiors, but spaces that truly reflect the way each person lives."
Silvia and Agathe answered some more questions for us. Through their training programs, workshops, and coaching, they aim to help people discover a different way of living in their homes: one that’s simpler, more functional, and more peaceful.
All photos in this article ©Lisa Cirieco-Ohlman 2022-2026
In 1886, a company located at the end of the lake used to pump and distribute water under pressure for craftsmen’s machines. Since there was little need in the evening, they let the pressure escape through a small hole on one extremity at La Coulouvrenière, resulting in a water fountain of 30 meters.
In 1891, the City of Geneva decided to install the Jet d’Eau where it is today, on the Rade, to celebrate Switzerland’s 600th anniversary.
From left to right: Guillaume Regnier & Nelson Harris of Cedra Ventures representing the new owners, followed by Katt Cullen & Mark Butcher of SwissVille Broadcasting Sàrl, who handover the reigns of English-language radio in Switzerland.
Press release May 2026
World Radio Switzerland announces its acquisition by Cedra Ventures GmbH (through Aube Ondes SA), marking a new chapter of growth, investment, and continued service to Switzerland’s international and local communities.
Switzerland is home to approximately 2.2 million foreign residents - nearly 25% of the population (source: Federal Statistics Office) - making it one of Europe’s most internationally diverse countries. With an average of 72,000 monthly listeners, WRS continues to play a key role in connecting this community with Swiss culture, news, and everyday life.
As Switzerland’s only English-language commercial radio station, World Radio Switzerland is a proudly Swiss station with an international voice. It will continue to broadcast a curated mix of contemporary chart music, international hits, and emerging local Swiss talent. It remains firmly rooted in its mission to spotlight Swiss culture while serving its diverse international audience.
World Radio Switzerland will also continue as the official Swiss partner of the BBC World Service, reinforcing its role as a trusted source of international news and strengthening its position as a bridge between Swiss and global perspectives.
The station will maintain its strong editorial focus on Swiss news, politics, culture, interviews, and community-driven content that helps listeners engage with life in Switzerland.
Seeing the colors, the varieties and amazing selection of seed packages and seedling plants at nearby garden centers and supermarkets, who wouldn't want to start a little garden plot? Maybe you could just start with 3 pots to get the hang of it instead of planting in full ground.
Some annuals are best seeded directly in the garden in spring whereas some can be nurtured in little starter plug pots and then transferred outdoors once the freezing temperatures have finished. Side note on this subject, known in French as Saint de Glace, here is an excerpt from the latest Know-it-all passport®:
As we have had some unpredictable weather in the last weeks, one has to pay attention to these wise words from history: Avant St, Servais, point d'été. Après St. Servais, plus de gelée (Before St. Servais, no spring. After St. Servais, no more frost).
