Engagement in fragile contexts and conflict prevention

Switzerland has a peace policy programme in Sri Lanka since 2001. In Sri Lanka’s post-war context, the overall goal of Switzerland’s peace policy programme is to contribute to building long-lasting peace and stability in Sri Lanka by facilitating dialogue processes that enable stakeholders to address the root causes of the conflict and promote democracy and good governance.

Switzerland focuses on three key area of intervention:

  • Dealing with the Past and reconciliation
  • Democracy, good governance and human rights
  • Conflict prevention

Switzerland supports and facilitate dialogue processes amongst relevant stakeholders from all ethno-religious communities, including the government, political parties, civil society, religious leaders and victims’ representatives. Switzerland also supports local initiatives that promote peace, democracy and human rights, through political, technical and financial support.

Supporters of the deposed president José Manuel Zelaya coming under fire from the Honduran army in 2009
Around 1.5 billion people live in countries where violence is part of everyday life. ©Laif/Redux-Stephen Ferry (Honduras, 2009)

Fragility, conflicts, violence and human rights violations: these are among the main challenges to poverty reduction. Fragility within a state is characterised by the government’s inability to provide security and basic public services. The  SDC works to alleviate the causes of conflict, strengthen basic public services and increase respect for human rights.

The SDC's worldwide engagement