All news (849)
SDC showcase at Lausanne's Comptoir Suisse
09.09.2016
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Press release
EDA
This year's 97th edition of the Comptoir Suisse national fair in Lausanne will include an exhibition by the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC). Unveiled for the first time in the French-speaking part of Switzerland, the exhibition invites visitors to tour the cultural universe of six development cooperation projects that the SDC is implementing around the world. The theme is food security with a focus on the conditions for agricultural production for smallholder farmers. The exhibition also highlights education in rural areas.
FDFA State Secretary Yves Rossier makes working visit to Egypt and Ethiopia
08.09.2016
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Press release
EDA
FDFA State Secretary Yves Rossier made an official trip to Egypt and Ethiopia this week. In Cairo, he discussed various topical bilateral and regional issues, before moving on to Addis Ababa, where he held policy consultations and signed a bilateral agreement on air transport.
Sports diplomacy: 20 young Colombian athletes visit Switzerland
08.09.2016
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Press release
EDA
Twenty young Colombians are currently in Switzerland as part of a visit organised jointly by the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA) and the Colombian Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The aim of the visit is to allow these young people – who come from a region mired in conflict – to learn more about training techniques while discovering popular Swiss sports, and to use sport to give them hope for a better life away from crime and violence.
Switzerland’s priorities at the UN’s 71st General Assembly
07.09.2016
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Press release
EDA
Johann N. Schneider-Ammann, President of the Swiss Confederation, will set out Switzerland’s priorities in relation to the UN for the coming year on 20 September at the opening of the UN’s 71st General Assembly. He will also take part in various events and meet with heads of state and government. During this ministerial week in New York, Federal Councillor Didier Burkhalter will also represent Switzerland at various events, focusing in particular on international security, and will conduct bilateral talks. Federal Councillor Simonetta Sommaruga will also take part in the UN Summit for Refugees and Migrants to be held on the eve of the opening of the General Assembly.
Switzerland to send fifth aid consignment to the conflict zone in Ukraine
01.09.2016
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Press release
EDA
Swiss Humanitarian Aid is preparing a further consignment of aid supplies needed by the population on both sides of the contact line in eastern Ukraine. This time it will transport 3,500 tonnes of quartz sand to the region for filtering water. The sand will be transported by train and leave western Ukraine at the weekend. It will be handed over in Donetsk a week later.
Eine Welt/Un seul monde, the SDC's magazine Dossier on young people and development
31.08.2016
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Article
DEZA
Switzerland and Kuwait agree to strengthen development cooperation
29.08.2016
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Press release
EDA
Federal Councillor Didier Burkhalter and Sheikh Sabah Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Sabah, First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Kuwait, decided during foreign policy consultations on 29 August 2016 in Bern to work more closely together on development cooperation. Sheikh Al-Hamad Al-Sabah's working visit took place to mark 50 years of bilateral relations between Switzerland and Kuwait.
Colombia: Switzerland congratulates the government and the FARC on the final peace agreement
25.08.2016
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Press release
EDA
Switzerland congratulates the government and the FARC on yesterday's conclusion of the final peace agreement, which is a major step forward towards building lasting peace in Colombia.
Didier Burkhalter takes part in the filming of a documentary on child soldiers
24.08.2016
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Article
EDA
Bern, 24 August 2016 – The head of the FDFA takes part in the filming of a documentary on child soldiers. Switzerland reaffirms its commitment to the protection of children recruited into armed groups in conflicts.
Horn of Africa: two SDC humanitarian workers tell us about their work
19.08.2016
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Article
DEZA
The international community celebrates World Humanitarian Day on 19 August. To mark the occasion, the SDC pays tribute to its own humanitarian workers. Natacha Pugin and Abdi Kunow work day in day out providing food assistance in the Horn of Africa.
Supporting independent cinema in Myanmar
04.08.2016
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Article
DEZA
Director Maung Okkar and producer May Zin Myo, both from Myanmar, will be newcomers at the Open Doors section of the Locarno Festival, which is backed by the SDC. This is a chance of a lifetime to meet international professionals from the film world and contribute to the development of contemporary cinema in Myanmar, a country undergoing a transition to democracy.
Switzerland responds to new humanitarian needs in South Sudan
27.07.2016
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Press release
EDA
In South Sudan thousands of people have fled the recent hostilities between rival political factions. These new outbreaks of violence have compounded the already considerable humanitarian needs in the country. Switzerland has decided to provide an additional CHF 2 million to alleviate the suffering of the local population.