In a conversation with the mayor of Zurich, Corine Mauch, we find out more about living together in the 21st century, why Switzerland's diversity is a significant advantage and what makes cooperatives a Swiss symbol.

Zurich would not be the city it is without the entire Canton of Zurich or the whole metropolitan region. We are very close-knit and well connected. What we intend to offer is a platform for the idea of a national exhibition. Where we can exchange ideas, have discussions, talk about issues that are important to us, our country. I have to say, there are different movements, the separation of city and countryside for one, but also a counter-movement. But these are exactly the important topics because it’s the differences that challenge us to recognise our common ground and the things that connect us. But I also consider mutual appreciation and understanding to be very important.

Cities have a different function and render a different service than a rural mountain region or a municipality in an urban area. But they are all important for the big picture! I believe that engaging with each other and exchanging thoughts about who we really are, what makes us different, what connects us – that can all be an important contribution to the cohesiveness of Switzerland. In a time where change is happening so quickly.

When we think about what we could contribute, we, of course, think about our own strengths. One of Zurich’s biggest strengths is being a place of learning and knowledge, with universities and research institutions in the private sector – in particular in the area of ICT but also in sustainable technologies. These are aspects that could be important contributions, which is not only important for Zurich but for the entire country. Our 'raw materials' are our minds, our talents, the things we can do. Science, innovation, inspiration, research and education, this is the most important contribution from Zurich.

But here in Zurich you also find a very diverse, deep and broad range of cultural events. We have a lot to offer here in the region. Culture is not only immensely important for our city but also for the entire country. It helps in getting to know one’s own identity, an identity that is created from one’s strengths and does not come from shutting out things that are different but from a sense of identity that self-confidently embraces the other.

I’m absolutely convinced of this. The NEXPO concept is very special. It was decentralized, right from the start. From Geneva to St. Gallen, from Basel to Lugano. Such a concept would have been inconceivable only a few years ago in 2002. Today, we have completely different methods at our disposal: Technological advances, the Internet, smartphones and all the other options available today. We even don’t know what will be possible in five years. These possibilities allow us to implement a decentralised national exhibition stretching across the entire country. We also want to establish a platform where debates and discussion can happen online, on topics that move us – the people in this country. This is very important, the exchange of ideas – asking questions and listening.

A minute ago I was talking about what it’s like living together and being different. I believe that in such a situation it is very important to ask questions and listen. You cannot simply assume that everybody shares your views and then just project your views upon them. You have to exchange views with others. I think these experiences, gained from this concept of a decentralised national exhibition, will definitely benefit us all. Because within the city, people’s expectations of being able to participate and be a part of the conversation are growing stronger. We’ve have already had some very interesting intial experiences, not with new technologies per se, but with questions about diversity and things we have in common.

I believe it is going to be community. The feeling of togetherness is a very important topic. You also have to bear in mind the growing number of ways we can start a dialogue now ─ via social media or any of the many options that exist today. You can see this in a number of ways. You can say this is great, this gives me the chance to communicate with more people. But it also carries the risk of being in forums with “like-minded” people and then only bringing together people that think the same way.

I’d like to mention two things that are related to Switzerland. When we were talking about heterogeneity a minute ago, we were talking about the diversity of languages. We are a country with four official languages, and we do not argue about that. Looking at other countries in Europe, there is a lot of friction when it comes to that, a lot of animosity. In contrast, we in Switzerland, in Bern politics, possess a culture of 'cha­cun sa langue'. Everybody is supposed to be able to speak in their own language and be understood by the others. I believe what we have here is something very unique. For me this is a Swiss symbol. We even take this symbolism to the point where you find at least three different languages on a milk carton when you go grocery shopping. I mean, where else can you find something like that. For us, that’s normal.

The second thing that relates to Switzerland and Zurich are the cooperatives. In Zurich we have a long tradition of building co-ops that are important players in the housing market since they contribute immensely to the fact that, despite the pressure on the real estate and prices, Zurich is still so attractive today. That there still is affordable housing for people with low or medium incomes. This is something that is not only true for Zurich or building co-ops, but for co-ops in general, and they have an unbelievable tradition in Switzerland. I am an agronomist and the agricultural co-op is the prototype of co-ops in Switzerland. You combine your forces with others, act jointly, solve problems together that cannot be solved by any individual alone. And that again brings us back to the question: how do we want to live together in the 21^st century.