All news (849)
Swiss involvement in Bulgaria and Romania: a 5-year review
08.12.2014
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Article
DEZA
In December 2014, Switzerland will end the first phase of support for Bulgaria and Romania as part of its enlargement contribution to the new EU member states. In the period from 2009 to 2014 clear objectives for these two states were defined. To achieve them, Switzerland selected 28 specific projects and 13 thematic funds comprising numerous individual projects. All of these projects are due to be implemented by 2019. The SDC and State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO) are responsible for implementing this support on behalf of Switzerland.
Young FDFA employees receive prizes for their project proposals
08.12.2014
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Press release
EDA
At the annual Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA) end of year event on Monday evening, Swiss President Didier Burkhalter announced the winners of the "Youth and Ideas" competition he launched during the Ambassadors and International Network Conference in Milan in August. Open to the youngest FDFA employees, the idea of the competition was to launch projects to put forward the values Switzerland's foreign policy must promote according to the Federal Constitution. These are peace, human rights, democracy, sustainable development and the alleviation of poverty. The jury said all of the 41 projects entered were of the highest quality. A prize was awarded to the best three.
End of commitment period for enlargement contribution to Bulgaria and Romania
08.12.2014
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Press release
EDA
The commitment period of the enlargement contribution for Bulgaria and Romania, which joined the EU in 2007, ended on 7 December. In all, 13 thematic funds and 28 projects totalling CHF 257 million were approved. The Swiss commitment aims to eradicate social and economic disparities in the enlarged European Union (EU).
London Conference on Afghanistan
03.12.2014
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Article
DEZA
Hopes and challenges for Afghanistan
Active in strengthening good governance and improving living conditions for disadvantaged groups in Afghanistan, Switzerland intends to prolong and deepen its commitment to the country after the withdrawal of NATO troops at the end of 2014. Yet major challenges lie ahead.
Jacob, 34 years old – HIV-positive and volunteer
01.12.2014
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Article
DEZA
The SDC-funded Newlands Clinic in Harare, Zimbabwe, has given Jacob M. – who is HIV positive – a new perspective. Today he helps other people infected with HIV so that they can benefit from the same support.
Dakar Summit: La Francophonie to adopt a youth strategy and step up its action in favour of women
28.11.2014
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Press release
EDA
The summit being held in Dakar by the International Organisation of La Francophonie (IOF) has as its theme: "Women and youth in French-speaking countries: Vectors of peace, agents of development". These are priority action areas for Switzerland, particularly in Africa. On 29 November Switzerland will be represented at the Dakar Summit by the President of the Swiss Confederation, Didier Burkhalter.
Switzerland provides funding to the Green Climate Fund
28.11.2014
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Press release
EDA
Switzerland has reinforced its commitment to climate protection in developing countries as part of international cooperation. The Federal Council today decided to contribute USD 100 million to the initial capitalization of the Green Climate Fund (GCF).
Central Asia plays an important role as a bridge between Asia and Europe, says OSCE Chairperson-in-Office at the end of a visit to the region
22.11.2014
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Press release
EDA
"Central Asia plays an important role as a bridge between Asia and Europe", said Didier Burkhalter, the Chairperson-in-Office of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe, at the end of a four-day visit from Wednesday to Saturday that took him to Turkmenistan, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan.
"When you rape a woman, you destroy the spirit of a community"
21.11.2014
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Article
DEZA
The use of rape as a weapon of war is a phenomenon as old as war itself. Since 2008, the UN has actively striven to put an end to this intolerable crime. This is an interview with Zainab Hawa Bangura, the United Nations Special Representative of the Secretary-General on Sexual Violence in Conflict.
“Un seul monde” magazine – Dossier on local governance
21.11.2014
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Article
DEZA
The OSCE Chairperson-in-Office to visit Central Asia
19.11.2014
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Press release
EDA
The Chairperson-in-Office of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe, Didier Burkhalter, will visit five countries in Central Asia, a region where the OSCE has a strong presence, from Wednesday to Saturday. Mr Burkhalter will visit Turkmenistan, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan, where he will have discussions on the three dimensions of the OSCE's work: the politico-military dimension, the economic and environmental dimension, and the human dimension.
«Überwinden, was uns teilt - pflegen, was uns verbindet» (de)
14.11.2014
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Press release
EDA
Ypres, 14. November 2014 - Speech by the President of the Swiss Confederation, Mr. Didier Burkhalter, held as part of the «1914-2014» competition launched for all post-compulsory school classes.