Promoting knowledge at school of a still little-known chapter of Swiss history, that of coercive measures for welfare purposes and out-of-home placements. The new teaching aid 鈥樷��, developed by the in cooperation with the , the University of Applied Sciences and Arts of Southern Switzerland and the association as part of the national programme, is designed to do this.
A troubled period in Swiss history
The topic of care and coercion is currently the subject of public debate. There are more than 100,000 people, including adults and minors, affected by coercive measures for the purpose of care, who have been removed from their family environment since the 19th century and placed in institutions or foster families. These people, and boys and girls in particular, have been widely exposed to injustices: mistreatment and forced labour (exploitation disguised as care), lack of food, lack of access to medical care and education, sexual abuse and violence, forced adoption, sterilisation and drug testing.
In 2013, Simonetta Sommaruga, Federal Councillor responsible for the Federal Department of Justice and Police, apologised on behalf of the Confederation.
For further information on the topic of coercive measures for welfare purposes and out-of-home placements: .
Personal stories to teach history and educate democratic citizenship
Designed for students from secondary school onwards and for anyone interested in the subject, the follows an interactive mode, directly giving the floor to five people, whose harms have long been swept under the carpet, through individual testimonies of around 20 minutes that trace their lives. The filmed interviews are followed by a didactic path that introduces the topic through the study of historical sources.
By listening to the testimonies, understanding the historical context and becoming aware of the deprivation of fundamental rights by the state, education in active and democratic citizenship is also fostered.
Additional documents and a didactic guide are also available on the platform to help explain the topic and give a broader view of the issues surrounding the development of the welfare state in Switzerland.
The platform is free of charge and does not require any registration.