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Swiss Academies of Arts and Sciences a+
European Academies' Award goes to Helen Keller
Helen Keller is the first Swiss from Switzerland to be awarded the Madame de Staël Prize for Cultural Values by the All European Academies (ALLEA). This is particularly in recognition of her role as a judge at the European Court of Human Rights from 2011 to 2020, where she played a special role in shaping Europe's cultural values.
The ALLEA Award honours researchers or intellectuals whose work represents a significant impact on the progress of Europe. “At the European Court of Human Rights, Helen Keller established herself as a particularly active, independent and respected judge and had a significant influence on the development and consolidation of jurisprudence," says Dick Marty, who, as a member of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe, was present at her election as judge in Strasbourg. Helen Keller is Chair for Public Law, European and Public International Law at the University of Zurich, as well as a judge at the Constitutional Court of Bosnia and Herzegovina since December 2020.
Swiss Academy of Medical Sciences SAMS
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Become a member of the Swiss Young Academy
The Swiss Young Academy (SYA) brings together young researchers from a wide range of scientific disciplines. It creates an inspiring environment for inter- and transdisciplinary exchange. The current call for applications, with submission deadline on 28 February 2026, offers the opportunity to apply for a five-year membership.
Swiss Academy of Medical Sciences SAMS
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ECAE: New President and revised by-laws
The Ethics Committee for Animal Experimentation (ECAE) is a joint commission of the SAMS and the Swiss Academy of Sciences (SCNAT). It acts as an expert and advisory body in the field of animal experimentation. At its meeting in November 2025, the SAMS Senate elected Prof. Michael Hottiger, Zürich, as chair of the ECAE. It also approved the entry into force of the revised by-laws. These describe the Commission’s composition, define the processes and clarify the roles of the two Academies.
Swiss Academy of Medical Sciences SAMS
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«The Health Insurance Act is a law about money flows, not about health»
At the end of the year, CH Media spoke with Arnaud Perrier, President of the SAMS, about rising healthcare costs, increasing administrative responsibilities, and other challenges within the healthcare system. Prof. Perrier advocates for easily accessible primary care organized through networks and a better distribution of tasks between doctors and nurses. He also explained why Switzerland needs an article on health in the Constitution.