- recognition of The Universal Declaration of Human Rights (see below)
- Motivational education thru music & sound
- resolve conflicts through peaceful means with use of musical instruments
- collaborations with various artists in all genres of music for multimedia performances
- educational workshops for beginner to advanced drum students in the history of African, African- American and cultures of African decent based music.
The SWISS Organization is all about programs for learning, getting along and making this world a better place for you and me. As a young organization, we work with many other organizations for world peace, like the International Singer Songwriter Hall of Fame (ISSHF) founded by Woodstock legend and Peace icon Melanie Safka, Musicians for World Peace, The Freedom Campaign and many programs aimed at feeding children in Haiti, as well as a few programs of our own like Euro Rock World Peace, Peace Full Sail and monthly fund raisers in Manhattan for such causes.
We are always looking for more people and organizations to work with, so please let us know if you can help. Your donations are appreciated!
For more info, Please visit our main page as well as contact page for donations.
Here are the founders of the SWISS Organization:
SWISS CHRIS
Swiss is originally from Switzerland lives and works out of his NYC home. Swiss Chris just finished four years as Music Director and Drummer for five time Grammy winner, John Legend, one of the most talented singer/songwriters in the world today. Swiss is now moving on and doing his own solo work as producer and artists on CPR Records and putting more attention on the SWISS organization.
Swiss Chris earned his Bachelor's Degree in Performance from the Berklee School of Music, Boston, Massachusetts. He further studied at the Drummer's Collective in New York after gaining his paper at Dante Agostini in Switzerland (certificate in Contemporary Music). He received multiple awards and honors as a marching band field drummer and as a big band and contemporary jazz drummer from his homeland Switzerland as well as a humanitarian award there.
Swiss has studied with diverse teachers like Bob Moses, Marvin "Smitty" Smith, Kim Plainfield, Casey Scheuerell, Joe Morello, Jim Chapin and last but not least, the Drumdoctor Dom Famularo.
Swiss Chris also earned several Grammy recognitions and an award with John Legend, The Best Live Concert Grammy Award in 2003
LouRicca
Lou is originally from NYC and now living in Switzerland is a retired music industry professional as well as writer and performer. Lou has helped scores of people from being a consulta gratis consumer advocate and music/talent personal manager to helping the world with programs designed for peace and helping others. Some of his specialties are:
Theatrical Producer and Writer, Song Writer, Promotion, Advertising, Film and TV Director, Singer-Musician, Talent Grooming, Entertainment Consulting, Merchandising/Licensing, Copy Writing, Consumer Law, US State and Federal Law, Litigation, Negotiation, Travel, Airplane Pilot, Non-Profits.
Lou attended the State University in NY and studied for a masters degree in Communications and minor in Sociology and is a member in good standing with the Recording Academy, RIAA, GRAMMY member (RIAA) the European Director/Board of Directors for the International Singer Songwriter Hall of Fame (ISSHF) as well as on the Board of Directors for Musicians for World Peace and, of course, the SWISS org.
Recently, Lou has been appointed as Director of the International Singer Songwriter Hall of Fame, and Director of European and Global Musicians for Peace and Humanity, and has recently contributed production and consulting to the Woodstock is a Living Thing Peace tour featuring Melanie Safka, original Woodstock performer and writer/singer of Candles in the Rain, Beautiful People, Brand New Key (Rollar Skate Song), the Nickel Song, among many others. Melanie is a peace icon as well ever since her Woodstock performance back in '69.
Lou is also the founder of Peace Full Sail Eurock'n For Peace program which is now part of the SWISS org's programs. Aside from this and many other programs, Lou believes that the road to Mideast Peace is in the creation of a two state solution, bring down the wall in Gaza (since it is punishing many innocent people too), to stop taking over lands the Palestinians are on, and share Jerusalem not only with Palestine, but with the world since this city represents most religions and faiths. The recognition of basic human rights as well is the cornerstone to bringing peace there. Violence only begets violence, and for all the people there, I share much respect. It's the governments that need to take this step for peace since 99% of people on BOTH sides want peace and want to live side by side.
Finally, Lou has worked with artists in various capacities, some of them are: ELO, The Who, Elton John, Pretenders, Billy Joel, Peter Frampton, BB King, Paul McCartney, The Byrds, Gratefull Dead, Kiss, The Police, KingFish, Yes, Pink Floyd and many others.
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 | The Universal Declaration of Human Rights |
Adopted and proclaimed by General Assembly resolution 217 A (III) of 10 December 1948 |
On December 10, 1948 the General Assembly of the United Nations adopted and proclaimed the Universal Declaration of Human Rights the full text of which appears in the following pages. Following this historic act the Assembly called upon all Member countries to publicize the text of the Declaration and "to cause it to be disseminated, displayed, read and expounded principally in schools and other educational institutions, without distinction based on the political status of countries or territories."
PREAMBLE
Whereas recognition of the inherent dignity and of the equal and inalienable rights of all members of the human family is the foundation of freedom, justice and peace in the world,
Whereas disregard and contempt for human rights have resulted in barbarous acts which have outraged the conscience of mankind, and the advent of a world in which human beings shall enjoy freedom of speech and belief and freedom from fear and want has been proclaimed as the highest aspiration of the common people,
Whereas it is essential, if man is not to be compelled to have recourse, as a last resort, to rebellion against tyranny and oppression, that human rights should be protected by the rule of law,
Whereas it is essential to promote the development of friendly relations between nations,
Whereas the peoples of the United Nations have in the Charter reaffirmed their faith in fundamental human rights, in the dignity and worth of the human person and in the equal rights of men and women and have determined to promote social progress and better standards of life in larger freedom,
Whereas Member States have pledged themselves to achieve, in co-operation with the United Nations, the promotion of universal respect for and observance of human rights and fundamental freedoms,
Whereas a common understanding of these rights and freedoms is of the greatest importance for the full realization of this pledge,
Article 1.
All human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights.They are endowed with reason and conscience and should act towards one another in a spirit of brotherhood.
Article 2.
Everyone is entitled to all the rights and freedoms set forth in this Declaration, without distinction of any kind, such as race, colour, sex, language, religion, political or other opinion, national or social origin, property, birth or other status. Furthermore, no distinction shall be made on the basis of the political, jurisdictional or international status of the country or territory to which a person belongs, whether it be independent, trust, non-self-governing or under any other limitation of sovereignty.
Article 3.
Everyone has the right to life, liberty and security of person.
Article 4.
No one shall be held in slavery or servitude; slavery and the slave trade shall be prohibited in all their forms.
Article 5.
No one shall be subjected to torture or to cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment.
Article 6.
Everyone has the right to recognition everywhere as a person before the law.
Article 7.
All are equal before the law and are entitled without any discrimination to equal protection of the law. All are entitled to equal protection against any discrimination in violation of this Declaration and against any incitement to such discrimination.
Article 8.
Everyone has the right to an effective remedy by the competent national tribunals for acts violating the fundamental rights granted him by the constitution or by law.
Article 9.
No one shall be subjected to arbitrary arrest, detention or exile.
Article 10.
Everyone is entitled in full equality to a fair and public hearing by an independent and impartial tribunal, in the determination of his rights and obligations and of any criminal charge against him.
Article 11.
(1) Everyone charged with a penal offence has the right to be presumed innocent until proved guilty according to law in a public trial at which he has had all the guarantees necessary for his defence.
(2) No one shall be held guilty of any penal offence on account of any act or omission which did not constitute a penal offence, under national or international law, at the time when it was committed. Nor shall a heavier penalty be imposed than the one that was applicable at the time the penal offence was committed.
Article 12.
No one shall be subjected to arbitrary interference with his privacy, family, home or correspondence, nor to attacks upon his honour and reputation. Everyone has the right to the protection of the law against such interference or attacks.
Article 13.
(1) Everyone has the right to freedom of movement and residence within the borders of each state.
(2) Everyone has the right to leave any country, including his own, and to return to his country.
Article 14.
(1) Everyone has the right to seek and to enjoy in other countries asylum from persecution.
(2) This right may not be invoked in the case of prosecutions genuinely arising from non-political crimes or from acts contrary to the purposes and principles of the United Nations.
Article 15.
(1) Everyone has the right to a nationality.
(2) No one shall be arbitrarily deprived of his nationality nor denied the right to change his nationality.
Article 16.
(1) Men and women of full age, without any limitation due to race, nationality or religion, have the right to marry and to found a family. They are entitled to equal rights as to marriage, during marriage and at its dissolution.
(2) Marriage shall be entered into only with the free and full consent of the intending spouses.
(3) The family is the natural and fundamental group unit of society and is entitled to protection by society and the State.
Article 17.
(1) Everyone has the right to own property alone as well as in association with others.
(2) No one shall be arbitrarily deprived of his property.
Article 18.
Everyone has the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion; this right includes freedom to change his religion or belief, and freedom, either alone or in community with others and in public or private, to manifest his religion or belief in teaching, practice, worship and observance.
Article 19.
Everyone has the right to freedom of opinion and expression; this right includes freedom to hold opinions without interference and to seek, receive and impart information and ideas through any media and regardless of frontiers.
Article 20.
(1) Everyone has the right to freedom of peaceful assembly and association.
(2) No one may be compelled to belong to an association.
Article 21.
(1) Everyone has the right to take part in the government of his country, directly or through freely chosen representatives.
(2) Everyone has the right of equal access to public service in his country.
(3) The will of the people shall be the basis of the authority of government; this will shall be expressed in periodic and genuine elections which shall be by universal and equal suffrage and shall be held by secret vote or by equivalent free voting procedures.
Article 22.
Everyone, as a member of society, has the right to social security and is entitled to realization, through national effort and international co-operation and in accordance with the organization and resources of each State, of the economic, social and cultural rights indispensable for his dignity and the free development of his personality.
Article 23.
(1) Everyone has the right to work, to free choice of employment, to just and favourable conditions of work and to protection against unemployment.
(2) Everyone, without any discrimination, has the right to equal pay for equal work.
(3) Everyone who works has the right to just and favourable remuneration ensuring for himself and his family an existence worthy of human dignity, and supplemented, if necessary, by other means of social protection.
(4) Everyone has the right to form and to join trade unions for the protection of his interests.
Article 24.
Everyone has the right to rest and leisure, including reasonable limitation of working hours and periodic holidays with pay.
Article 25.
(1) Everyone has the right to a standard of living adequate for the health and well-being of himself and of his family, including food, clothing, housing and medical care and necessary social services, and the right to security in the event of unemployment, sickness, disability, widowhood, old age or other lack of livelihood in circumstances beyond his control.
(2) Motherhood and childhood are entitled to special care and assistance. All children, whether born in or out of wedlock, shall enjoy the same social protection.
Article 26.
(1) Everyone has the right to education. Education shall be free, at least in the elementary and fundamental stages. Elementary education shall be compulsory. Technical and professional education shall be made generally available and higher education shall be equally accessible to all on the basis of merit.
(2) Education shall be directed to the full development of the human personality and to the strengthening of respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms. It shall promote understanding, tolerance and friendship among all nations, racial or religious groups, and shall further the activities of the United Nations for the maintenance of peace.
(3) Parents have a prior right to choose the kind of education that shall be given to their children.
Article 27.
(1) Everyone has the right freely to participate in the cultural life of the community, to enjoy the arts and to share in scientific advancement and its benefits.
(2) Everyone has the right to the protection of the moral and material interests resulting from any scientific, literary or artistic production of which he is the author.
Article 28.
Everyone is entitled to a social and international order in which the rights and freedoms set forth in this Declaration can be fully realized.
Article 29.
(1) Everyone has duties to the community in which alone the free and full development of his personality is possible.
(2) In the exercise of his rights and freedoms, everyone shall be subject only to such limitations as are determined by law solely for the purpose of securing due recognition and respect for the rights and freedoms of others and of meeting the just requirements of morality, public order and the general welfare in a democratic society.
(3) These rights and freedoms may in no case be exercised contrary to the purposes and principles of the United Nations.
Article 30.
Nothing in this Declaration may be interpreted as implying for any State, group or person any right to engage in any activity or to perform any act aimed at the destruction of any of the rights and freedoms set forth herein.
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