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Federal Council adopts Dispatch on International Cooperation 2017–20

Switzerland’s international cooperation efforts aim to reduce poverty and global risks, alleviate suffering, and promote peace and respect for human rights.

17.02.2016 — Press release EDA
A world without poverty and in peace, for sustainable development. This is the goal of the Dispatch on International Cooperation 2017–20, which the Federal Council submitted to Parliament today. The dispatch covers development cooperation strategy, including economic and trade-policy measures, and in particular strengthens humanitarian emergency aid and Switzerland's contribution to conflict resolution. Civilian peacebuilding is also incorporated into the strategy for the first time. By combining these means effectively, Switzerland will address current emergencies and help to alleviate crises, conflicts, climate change, poverty, inequality and lack of economic prospects and prevent the accompanying displacement of populations.



Bastian Baker in Egypt as SDC project ambassador

11.02.2016 — Press release DEZA

Bern, 11.02.2016 - Acting as a Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) project ambassador on behalf of the organisation's Democracy Without Borders initiative, the Lausanne-born singer Bastian Baker is promoting sustainable water use in Cairo and Aswan from 7 to 12 February 2016. He will hold a concert in Aswan with the Nile Project, which brings together local artists including musicians and young people from the Aswan region to raise awareness among the local population of the issues and problems concerning the Nile's ecosystem. His trip includes visits to three Swiss development cooperation projects, where the singer will be able to talk with the young people taking part.


Swiss humanitarian aid workers engaged on the Greek islands

A UNHCR employee welcomes refuges on a shore.

04.02.2016 — Article DEZA

Thousands of refugees and migrants are arriving on the Greek islands every day.  The large majority come from Syria, Iraq and Afghanistan. At the request of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), three experts from the Swiss Humanitarian Aid Unit are assisting in the emergency work there. Patrick Galli, who has been working there since September 2015, talks about the first months of his mission.


Syria Conference: President Schneider-Ammann expresses Switzerland’s respect for Syria’s neighbouring states (last modification, the 05.02.2016)

04.02.2016 — Press release EDA
President Johann N. Schneider-Ammann has thanked the citizens of Syria’s neighbouring states for their solidarity with the people affected by the civil war. The international community has a duty to support the neighbouring states, explained the president at the Syria Donors Conference. This year Switzerland is setting aside CHF 50 million for the victims of the conflict.


SDC steps up efforts in fragile and conflict-affected regions

Pupils at the Sast school in the village of Warzud, Badakhshan Province, Afghanistan

29.01.2016 — Press release EDA
More than 40 states worldwide with a total population of some 1.5 billion people are classed as fragile or affected by violence and conflict. The majority of the world’s poor will soon be living in fragile contexts. In view of the growing challenges this presents, supporting these people is a priority of the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) this year, SDC Director-General Manuel Sager said at the annual media conference in Bern on 29 January. Other priorities include the new Dispatch on International Cooperation 2017-2020 for Parliament and implementing the global 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.


Federal Council adopts new strategy on sustainable development 2016–2019 (de)

27.01.2016 — Press release EDA

Der Bundesrat hat heute die «Strategie Nachhaltige Entwicklung 2016-2019» verabschiedet. Die Strategie beinhaltet Visionen für eine nachhaltige Entwicklung der Schweiz, nennt konkrete Ziele bis 2030 sowie die entsprechenden Massnahmen. Die Strategie, die Teil der Botschaft zur Legislaturplanung 2015-2019 ist, zeigt zudem auf, was die Schweiz in der laufenden Legislaturperiode zur neuen globalen «Agenda 2030 für nachhaltige Entwicklung» beiträgt.


"Water is a huge paradox in Chad"

22.01.2016 — Article DEZA

Rémadji Mani has worked as a national programme officer for the SDC in Chad since 2014. She was a guest speaker at the SDC annual conference in 2016 on the topic of the 2030 Agenda, where she spoke during a round table on universality in water management practices in Chad and in Switzerland. We met her ahead of the conference.


"The SDC has a key role to play in the implementation of the 2030 Agenda worldwide"

Photo of Michael Gerber, the special representative of the Federal Council for global sustainable development.

22.01.2016 — Article DEZA

Ambassador Michael Gerber is the special representative of the Federal Council for global sustainable development and represented Switzerland during the intergovernmental negotiations on the 2030 Agenda at the UN. In this interview he explains what the next steps are in terms of implementation and what role the SDC has to play in this.


The SDC’s focus on the civil society in Burkina Faso

A group of Burkinabe women in a room talking.

28.12.2015 — Article DEZA

The peaceful election in Burkina Faso of President Roch Marc Christian Kaboré on 29 November 2015, thirteen months after the end of the long reign of Blaise Compaoré, was an impressive accomplishment. The West African country can be proud of having achieved a truly democratic transition. For the SDC, it is confirmation that its efforts to strengthen civil society over the long term are proving successful.


The Right Livelihood Award for a more just world

Four laureates received the Right Livelihood Award in 2015.

23.12.2015 — Article DEZA

The Right Livelihood Award is presented annually to men and women who engage in initiatives defending human rights, often at the risk of their lives. The SDC supports the award, which is in line with its own work and is often referred to as the «Alternative Nobel Prize».


Acting fast saves lives

21.12.2015 — Article DEZA

Source: AGEFI, 18.12.2015

When natural disasters occur and conflicts break out, funds are needed – and fast. There is no time for long decision-making processes and consultations with donor countries. The Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF) provides the United Nations with a successful and innovative tool to provide immediate assistance and alleviate the impact.

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