Professor Daniela Finke and Mr. Daniel Wiener are both known to me through completely different channels. When I heard that Seniors@Work and KOSMOS are in contact and that good networking makes sense, I asked the two founding members for an interview, which we conducted by email in a completely corona-compliant manner.
Dear reader, you will be surprised to find out where "space is taking shape" on the Bruderholz and what a great project is being created here.
You two, Prof. Finke and Mr. Wiener, are both founding members of KOSMOS Basel. KOSMOS.... what is that actually?
KOSMOS is the name of a new creative and adventure space for senior citizens at the observatory in Basel. It sounds as if the name has something to do with the location. But it was decided long before we were given the opportunity to rent the building of the former Astronomical Institute of the University of Basel. Perhaps in this case in particular: nomen est omen. At Venusstrasse 7 in Binningen, a free space is being created that senior citizens can use to realize their own ideas after retirement. However, the priority is not on private studios or workrooms, but on offers from senior citizens for all generations. For example, in areas such as music or health, exercise or travel. As soon as the coronavirus pandemic subsides, events, communal gardening, sports and co-working spaces will also be added. Our building has many different rooms, including an assembly hall, seminar room and kitchenette. We curate a colorful, exciting mix of leisure activities and work. We also arrange work outside the KOSMOS premises, sometimes in collaboration with Seniors@Work. This is because many people want to continue using their skills long after they retire, including to earn money.
How did the two of you come to start such a social project together? What was the trigger?
We met almost three years ago at an innovation conference in Zurich, where we happened to be sitting next to each other in a lecture. We soon realized that, in addition to living in Basel, we shared an interest in ageing and work. When we made contact with this "scene", we got to know a whole new world.
I know from my own experience how difficult it is to find premises for such projects. Was the observatory a lucky coincidence?
Yes, the building was put out to tender and we applied with a concept that was obviously convincing.
Is there an association structure at KOSMOS? Is it possible to become a member? If so, what does it cost?
Good idea! We have never thought about founding an association, but we should seriously consider it. At the moment, the "Culture of Change Foundation", which also supports other activities, and the two of us as a simple company are the sponsors. We are feeling our way towards the right structure. At the moment, we think a social enterprise would be desirable, but perhaps supplemented by an association, as you suggest.
Who do you want to address specifically?
All senior citizens who want spaces for activities, want to be entrepreneurial or are simply looking for work to continue using their skills, whether voluntary or paid. We want to offer "moderated jobs". What does that mean? We hold discussions with potential employers and people over 65 in order to get to know their needs and opportunities and bring them together. This is not least about breaking down prejudices on the one hand and promoting self-confidence on the other.
I see on the website www.kosmosbasel.chthat there will be a digital booking platform that senior citizens can use to choose from a wide range of offers and activities. Older people without a computer are excluded from this. How do you want to reach them?
Not everything is digital, as we have already explained. And we trust in the ability of older people to learn. And we want to promote this in a targeted manner.
And speaking of which: you mention a shuttle service to ensure that the building is accessible. How is that planned?
Discussions are currently underway with the municipality of Binningen and BLT. The municipality has long had plans to connect the neighboring Bruderholz area to public transport. We didn't know that before we made contact. But there are other activities up here, such as the sunbathing area, family gardeners, a farm store or the meteorological and astronomical associations, to name just a few examples that dream of such a regular bus service. In addition, the Binningen cemetery is currently poorly connected and there are many walkers. Together, we might be able to generate the demand needed for such a shuttle. This would then be integrated into the TNW fare system.
You both know the Seniors@Work platform and its founder Alexis Weil. How did you hear about it?
Seniors@Work is known far and wide. We were encouraged to contact Alexis Weil, not least by the Basel-Stadt Department of Health, whose head is on our advisory board. The exchange was extremely positive and open. We have also already started to work together in concrete terms by hiring employees from the Seniors@Work pool for our brush renovation of the house on Margarethenhügel.
How do you envisage further collaboration?
We generally proceed step by step. We try things out and keep what works, discard what doesn't work so well. This is called "agile" project development. This is also how we are building our collaboration with Seniors@Work. It's going very well so far and we can imagine working more closely together.
Prof. Finke and Mr. Wiener, I wish you the best of luck and every success with your extraordinarily exciting project. All the best and stay healthy!
And to "my" readers, please contact KOSMOS if you have any further questions, ideas, or would like to get involved!
Beatrice Isler
In elections to the cantonal parliament and government are due in October. the government. The election campaign has already begun to a very small extent. candidates in all parties are busy having their pictures taken by professional to be photographed by professional advertisers. The parties have concepts for the election campaign, the candidates are also looking for their own way, collect addresses, prepare for events, plan street campaigns, book billboards planned, billboards booked and much more.
One of the candidates is Marcel Rünzi. He is of retirement age and is standing for election to the Grand Council. I wonder why? But let's let him have his say. have his say.
Dear Mr. Rünzi, you are very fit and lively! How old are you?
I am 78 years old.
What kind of professional career do you have behind you?
At the age of 16 I started an apprenticeship engineering office as a reinforced concrete draughtsman and completed it after 3 years. completed.
In the project planning and construction supervision of numerous road, bridge and building construction projects in the region and in central I was employed in offices in Pratteln and Zofingen.
In 1968, I took a job at the civil engineering office with the intention of getting to know the cantonal administration and then returning to the private sector. However, this turned into a lifetime position in various roles at the canton. After various commitments in road construction, I was assigned the coordination office for line relocations. My job was to coordinate the projects as a link between the civil engineering office and the cantonal and federal offices involved (Industrielle Werke, Gewässerschutzamt, PTT) as well as the commissioned engineering firms.
In particular, this involved major projects such as the construction of the national highway and larger road and civil engineering structures in the canton. As the Civil Engineering Office's representative on the Pro Rheno project group responsible for the inflows and outflows to the Basel WWTP, we accompanied the projects, which cost three times as much, together with representatives of the Basel-Stadt and Basel-Landschaft Water Protection Offices and the chemical companies Ciba-Geigy and F. Hoffmann - La Roche. The Basel WWTP was then put into operation in 1982.
With a focus on accessible tunnels, I was also active at federal level with the development of standards. standards.
At the beginning of the 90s I was elected head of the Soil Valuation Office and a member of the Valuation Commission and familiarized myself with a new area of responsibility. In this position property owners from the private and public sectors were able to obtain advice could obtain advice on property values and have properties valued. Part of the part of the job was also the assessment of the value-added tax, which was value-added tax, in accordance with the Federal Spatial Planning Act and cantonal legal requirements .
I retired in 2004, but continued continued to work for some time as a member of the evaluation committee and as an independent consultant.
What appeals to you about standing as a candidate for the to stand as a candidate?
Helping to shape the politics of our canton has interested me all my life. I have been thinking for a long time I thought long and hard about standing for re-election at my age. I let myself I was persuaded that age alone was no reason not to stand, especially as I have been politically active since my youth and am still actively involved in Grossbasel West still actively involved in Grossbasel West; with letters to the editor and commitment to individual projects such as the preservation of the Lysbüchel area, which is close to my heart, for the (where the voters then decided in favor of mixed residential/commercial use). mixed use).
As I follow political events closely every day I could well imagine getting involved in the Grand Council again. Grand Council again.
Is election campaigning fun at all?
I've always enjoyed campaigning. Appearing on the streets and at events together with candidates and at events allows us to understand the needs and concerns of the the needs and concerns of the population.
Have you Have you ever held a parliamentary office? And if so, what did you liked about it?
For many years I was a member of the Citizens' Community Council, the parliament of the Citizens' Community of Basel. As a member of parliament and as President of the Citizens' Hospital Commission, I got to know and appreciate the work and learned to appreciate it.
I was a member of the Grand Council between 2003 and 2008. As a member of the Building and Art Commission and the I now experienced politics from the perspective of the cantonal parliament. cantonal parliament. A lively time with interesting challenges and positive experiences.
Can Can you recommend senior citizens to take an interest in political office even run for office? If yes, why? And if not, why not?
For me, there is no universally valid answer. I would only approach women and men who I was convinced I would be convinced that they have the political feu sacré, are interested in the office and would also be prepared to get involved.
What skills does it take to what skills do you think it takes to be a good politician?
Having a clear standpoint of your own and to stand up for it. In addition, the ability to work in a team and enjoy work. Advantageously, you are integrated in society and also committed. And if you have already proven yourself professionally and as a volunteer, you have good prerequisites for the job.
Do you still have time for hobbies alongside your political still have time for hobbies?
Most of my time is currently taken up by time is currently taken up by commitments in non-profit organizations (NPOs). In addition, I create plenty of niches for sport (hiking, cycling, golf) and time for cultural cultural activities.
Do you know the Seniors@Work platform?
No, but I'm excited to get to know them. to get to know them.
What would you like to pass on to the readers of the Seniors@Work blog? on the way?
Get involved in the political and social social framework to the best of your ability and taste. Our society depends to a large extent on voluntary work, which can be an enrichment for society, but also for all volunteers. and usually does so.
Dear Marcel Rünzi, thank you very much for your frank words. We wish you fingers crossed for a successful election campaign and wish you success, satisfaction, happiness and, above all, good health.
Beatrice Isler
An article by Christof Schuerpf appeared in the bz on October 7 2019 an article by Christof Schuerpf about the increase in the retirement age. The journalist refers to the auditor Deloitte, which in June of this year thousand people aged between 50 and 70 on this topic in June of this year. on this topic. The increase - in whatever stages - was poorly received. well received.
Various scenarios are on the table:
- The Federal Council would like to gradually raise the retirement age for women over four years from 64 to 65 over four years. Although this plan has already failed twice at the ballot box at the ballot box.
- In the room is the additional idea of making pension withdrawals more flexible. In concrete terms retirement between the age of 62 and the age of 70. age.
- And then There are also the Juso, who want to raise the retirement age to 66 and and then link it to life expectancy.
The President of Pro Senectute, former Federal Councillor Eveline Widmer-Schlumpf, stated in an interview that the interview that the current system of old-age provision would soon no longer be financially viable. This means that fewer and fewer senior citizens will be able to live on their pension. can live on their pension. They will have to look for additional jobs. She is in favor of flexible handling of the retirement age and emphasizes that a construction worker cannot work for the same length of time as a lawyer (see bz/2.7.2019).
Former member of the Council of States Philipp Müller on the other hand, caused a furore because he thinks the retirement age should be should be abolished. He noted that employees over the age of 50 are very difficult to difficult to place if they lose their job. He believes this is due to the high non-wage labor costs. And he explains that a kind of "lifetime working time" should be included in the calculation (see bz / 30.9.2019).
Well, dear reader, And how do you feel about a decision? Which is the right one? The subject is complex and difficult. In my opinion, however, it needs the economy and a rethink. As long as companies stop hiring people over 50, even a flexible and higher retirement age is useless. Or is it?
PS: By the way: in August 2019 the unemployment rate in Switzerland was a low 2.1%. Also in August 7645 people aged 60+ were registered as unemployed across Switzerland (sources: Federal Statistical Office / Situation on the labor market, 9.9.2019).
It was a beautiful Wednesday morning, the sun was unusually warm for this time of year and the atmosphere in the photo studio of Stefan Schmidlin in Basel was cheerful. White paint on the concrete walls, lots of technology and lighting and many wooden planks. Different lengths, different widths and sometimes generous. The photographer needed these boards to bring the models to the same eye level, an important detail of today's shoot.
The marketing consultant of KUCK UCK - Agency for Communication and the photographer stood relaxed with a coffee in their hands at the massive brown work table, each munching on a fresh croissant from the bakery around the corner, exchanging ideas and thoughts. They were served croissants, small cakes, Basler Läckerli, fruit and mineral water. A relaxed start to the day.
The work for this seniors@work The project began much earlier, with a lot of thought and creativity. The platform for retired talent over 60 needed a new website and, in this context, new photos that show how generations are brought together in the world of work.
Seniors stand for trust and reliability
How could the generational exchange between senior citizens and active workers be staged? What symbolism could best convey the idea of "complementing and not replacing"? After careful consideration and a few discarded concepts, the marketing consultant had a thought: how about a simple handshake? A handshake connects, shows trust and strength. The handshake demonstrates the interaction between the generations at eye level, within a second and very strikingly
The idea was born: let's join hands. The world of work would trustingly leave the work to senior citizens in order to free up their time and benefit from their experience and knowledge. What's more, it would show senior citizens that we are happy to make use of them. The handshake would create a powerful dynamic. The idea is that this would more accurately express the benefits for society.
How should these photos be taken? Outside, at work, at home? No, preferably in front of a neutral white background. If the photographer succeeds in emotionally charging an encounter between two generations, then the strict, hard image form allows the people portrayed to convey the symbolism with confidence. We needed an atmosphere and an expression that would capture more than just the specific moment.
These pictures should get to the people: entrepreneurs as employers and senior citizens as employees. So it was obvious for us to create very simple portrait photography: show people as they are. There was no make-up, people should imagine themselves as they are in real life. In addition, there were no complex instructions for these close-ups other than: shake hands. There was a lighting setup, a camera angle and a very simple portrait. Straight ahead, honest, and so spectacularly unspectacular. However; showing this lightness can be exhausting.
Senior citizen as photo model
Kathrin, a recent senior citizen, parked her bike right next to the entrance. She entered with a relaxed air and her presence quickly took over the room. The team greeted the newcomer model with a friendly handshake and after a sip of coffee, the first shots in everyday clothes could begin. The photographer coordinated the setting with the marketing consultant for the last time and the lighting was switched on. The smile is in place. The camera flashes. Kathrin's eyes light up. Alexis, founder of the platform seniors@work, laughed back, confidently accepted the senior's handshake and the camera clicked. In the second run, Kathrin was patiently photographed several times with the young entrepreneur, and in the third with a young mother. The little girl accompanying her mother was spontaneously enthusiastic about the photos, and so these pictures were also selected for the project.
Our team made rapid progress. The senior arrived punctually at 12 noon by bike and first inspected the pictures he had taken before standing in front of the camera for the shots with the founder. The senior smiled skillfully and calmly for the camera, confident and serious. In the second set, he shook hands with the young entrepreneurs and finally impressed them with his mother and child. The productive day was great fun for everyone involved and was a simple experiment with spectacular results.
In the afternoon, things got a little more creative; the choice of images was to represent a series of generational transitions and reflect the emotion of connectedness. This took a surprisingly short time and the team was very pleased. Looking at the photos, you can see how the idea is internalized by those involved. The handshake is a gesture of non-verbal communication, a sign of equality and respect. A sign of accessibility, trust and exchange. A simple idea of a handshake to connect generations at eye level.
Seniors@Work: The online placement platform for seniors
The The "Seniors@Work" website helps to establish contact with senior citizens and offers them a monthly subscription model. For a small contribution, you can set up a profile and be approached for work. Alexis is convinced that he can convince the lions with his socially relevant project and trigger an investment.
Broadcast date of the presentation: Tuesday, May 28, 2019 from 8.15 p.m.
