All news (849)
Strengthening education systems in the poorest countries: Switzerland supports the efforts of the Global Partnership for Education
05.07.2017
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Press release
EDA
At its meeting on 5 July 2017, the Federal Council approved the continuation of Switzerland's financial contribution to the Global Partnership for Education (GPE) for the 2017 to 2020 period, in the amount of CHF 36 million. The GPE is a priority fund for the SDC's multilateral cooperation work. Through its support for the education systems of the world's poorest countries, it is helping to ensure that everyone can attend school, and thanks to its backing, an additional 64 million children were enrolled in school in 2014.
Ensuring the future of crop plants in the permafrost
30.06.2017
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Article
DEZA
A special building has been built on the Norwegian island of Spitsbergen. The bunker in the Arctic permafrost protects a treasure: seeds from all over the world.
The Federal Council takes stock of human rights compliance in Switzerland
28.06.2017
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Press release
EDA
The Federal Council has adopted the third national report that Switzerland will submit to the UN Human Rights Council in November 2017 as part of the Universal Periodic Review. The report gives an overview of the human rights situation in Switzerland and of the most important measures it has taken in this respect in recent years.
Processing of personal data by the FDFA – Draft federal bill issued for consultation
28.06.2017
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Press release
EDA
At its meeting on Wednesday 28 June 2017, the Federal Council approved the draft bill for a federal act on the processing of personal data by the FDFA. This proposed legislation fulfils the requirements of the Federal Act of 19 June 1992 on Data Protection (FADP) while also taking account of more recent developments in internal organisation, technology and society. The consultation procedure has started with the various stakeholders and will end on 20 October 2017.
Draft bill on funding for national human rights institution issued for consultation
28.06.2017
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Press release
EDA
The Federal Council has prepared the ground for the establishment of a national human rights institution in Switzerland by opening the procedure for consultation on a draft bill on funding for the future institution. It will play an important role in implementing human rights in Switzerland.
"Our youth population may be a social time bomb but they're also a force of innovation."
26.06.2017
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Article
DEZA
Switzerland's commitment to involving private companies in the creation of high-quality apprenticeships is welcomed in Burkina Faso. Private sector involvement may be taken for granted in Switzerland but not everywhere. The exponential rise in Burkina Faso's youth population makes the issue all the more pressing.
UN Human Rights Council: Switzerland commits to strengthening conflict prevention and rights for women and children
23.06.2017
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Press release
EDA
The Human Rights Council ends its three-week June session today in Geneva. On the first anniversary of the Appeal of 13 June 2016 in Geneva and New York, Switzerland recalled the need to strengthen conflict prevention in the UN system through greater inclusion of human rights.
Advancing development: Switzerland’s specialisation in vocational education and training
23.06.2017
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Press release
EDA
A thousand people attended this year's Annual Development Cooperation Conference which took place on Friday 23 June at the EPFL in Lausanne. In his opening speech, Federal Councillor Johann N. Schneider-Ammann underlined Switzerland’s valuable expertise in the field of vocational training. He stated that the country had a key role to play in development cooperation in the years to come by sharing its long-standing experience to help overcome major challenges in this area.
Switzerland renews its financial support to UNICEF
21.06.2017
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Press release
EDA
At its meeting of 21 June 2017 the Federal Council decided to renew its overall contribution of CHF 22 million to UNICEF for 2017. UNICEF plays a decisive role in the promotion of children’s rights. It is especially active in protecting children in armed conflicts. UNICEF has played a major role in drastically reducing infant mortality.
2016: Switzerland’s commitment to creating long-term prospects
20.06.2017
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Press release
DEZA
Disasters and protracted conflicts, forced migration, rising inequality: 2016 saw troubled times for much of the planet. In the face of these challenges, Switzerland strengthened its engagement in fragile and conflict-affected regions and worked to develop sustainable solutions in partner countries. The Annual Report, published jointly by the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) and the State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO), examines the results of Switzerland's international cooperation in 2016.
An important partner in water diplomacy: Federal Councillor Didier Burkhalter in political talks in Kazakhstan
19.06.2017
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Press release
EDA
Federal Councillor Didier Burkhalter has met with Kazakhstan's foreign minister Kairat Abdrakhmanov and Speaker of the Senate Kassym-Jomart Tokayev in Astana. Apart from certain bilateral issues and economic cooperation, the talks also focused on security aspects and on water diplomacy, an area in which Switzerland and Kazakhstan are now closely collaborating. With the Blue Peace Central Asia initiative, Switzerland supports Kazakhstan and other central Asian states in the dialogue to build structures for transboundary water management in Central Asia. Kazakhstan is a member of the high-level panel launched by Switzerland to develop the global architecture to prevent water-related conflicts.
Swiss enlargement contribution: 10 country programmes in central and eastern Europe come to a successful close
19.06.2017
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Press release
EDA
The 10-year implementation period for Switzerland’s enlargement contribution to the 10 central and eastern European countries that joined the EU in 2004 came to an end on 14 June 2017. Under the contribution, Parliament approved a total of CHF 1 billion to implement 210 projects which have helped reduce economic and social disparities among broad sections of the population living in the EU. In so doing, Switzerland has demonstrated its solidarity with these countries and has been able to consolidate ties with the new EU member states in a number of areas, including Swiss businesses.