All news (850)
«I wanted to express myself, and dancing allowed me to do that».
11.11.2013
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Article
DEZA
Interview with Yaya Sarria, dancer and choreographer of the Chadian company «Sabot du Vent»
Choreographer Yaya Sarria shares his experience as an artist in Chad and talks about the liberating role of contemporary dance in a country facing considerable challenges. In 2013 as part of the dance festival «juilletdanse» in Fribourg, Yaya Sarria presented a production created in conjunction with Tonia Schilling and supported by the Swiss Agency for Development Cooperation. His diligence, creativity and desire to succeed show that Chadian artists have a role to play on the international scene.
Switzerland sends emergency aid to the Philippines
11.11.2013
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Press release
EDA
Following the devastation of vast swathes of the Philippines caused by typhoon Haiyan, Switzerland is sending a first consignment of emergency aid comprising medical supplies and water treatment materials to the disaster area. Members of the FDFA's disaster response pool are providing support to the Swiss embassy in Manila, helping to establish contact with Swiss nationals in the area.
Swiss experts to be sent to areas devastated by Typhoon Haiyan in the Philippines
09.11.2013
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Press release
EDA
Shortly before dawn on Friday, 8 November 2013, Typhoon Haiyan devastated large swathes of the Philippines’ central islands. Haiyan – the most violent storm ever recorded – is currently headed for Vietnam. In view of the widespread damage, the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA) has decided to send a group of Swiss Humanitarian Aid experts to the disaster areas.
A political signal for better protection for girls and women in crisis situations
08.11.2013
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Article
DEZA
The international community has a duty to step up its commitment to combat violence against women and girls, particularly in conflict and emergency situations. That is why the British government has launched the initiative «Call to Action on Violence against Women and Girls in Emergencies»: to send a political signal for better protection of girls and women in crisis situations. On 13 November 2013, a high-level conference will take place to bring together humanitarian actors, donor states and recipient countries and reaffirm the joint responsibility of all stakeholders. Switzerland will be represented by Maya Tissafi, deputy director general of the SDC.
Official working visit of Romanian foreign minister Titus Corlățean in Bern
07.11.2013
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Press release
EDA
Federal Councillor Didier Burkhalter, head of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA), has received his Romanian counterpart, Foreign Minister Titus Corlățean, for a working dinner in Bern. Topics under discussion included cooperation between the two countries in the field of policing and experiences with the enlargement contribution.
«I was able to help the SDC become open to a global approach to development»
04.11.2013
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Article
DEZA
The SDC vice-director and head of the Global Cooperation directorate takes stock of his career before assuming the vice-presidency of the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) in Rome on 1 December. He explains the strategic role of the global approach to development being integrated into the SDC, both as an actor and witness.
The first Swiss Humanitarian Aid Award is conferred
31.10.2013
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Article
DEZA
Excellence in the training of future humanitarian professionals
In partnership with the SDC, the Geneva Centre for Education and Research in Humanitarian Action has presented the Swiss Humanitarian Aid Award to its first winner. The prize honours the Centre’s best English-language master’s degree thesis.
Celebrations for official hand-over of 42 storm-resistant schools in Myanmar
31.10.2013
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Article
DEZA
Conclusion of school construction project in the Ayeyarwaddy Delta
After four years of work, the last of the 42 storm-resistant school houses in the Ayeyarwaddy Delta in Myanmar have been completed. The project led by Swiss Humanitarian Aid provides a safe and comfortable learning environment for more than 7,000 children as well as protection in the event of a disaster for up to 1,000 people per school house.
Sensational finding thanks to Swiss support: Discovery of the skull of an early human turns current scientific thinking on its head.
30.10.2013
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Article
DEZA
Paleoanthropologists of the University of Zurich in collaboration with Georgian colleagues in Dmanisi in the south of Georgia have found the intact skull of an early human being. The find demands a re-examination of current scientific thinking on this subject: Human diversity two million years ago was much smaller than thought up to now. The research is being supported and financed by the Swiss National Fund and the SDC.
Rapprochement of South Pacific island states with International Geneva
26.10.2013
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Press release
EDA
During his working visit to Vanuatu, Federal Councillor Didier Burkhalter signed a memorandum of understanding with the prime minister of the South Pacific island state, Mr Moana Carcasses Kalosil, on the opening of a permanent representation of Vanuatu in Geneva. This should enable the island state to enhance its participation in discussions at the multilateral level on global challenges such as climate change.
Swiss experts debate the post-2015 agenda
25.10.2013
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Article
DEZA
Swiss cooperation experts met on the eve of the International Development Cooperation Forum organised by the SDC and the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs in Montreux on 24-25 October 2013. Their aim was to prepare a key Swiss message before the forum itself which seeks to define the post-2015 agenda. Portraits of some of the participants.
Switzerland and Mexico sign agreement on trilateral development cooperation
25.10.2013
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Press release
EDA
Switzerland and Mexico intend to implement joint development projects with third countries in Latin America. An agreement to this effect on trilateral development cooperation was signed on 25 October 2013 in Montreux by Martin Dahinden, the director-general of the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) and Juan Manuel Valle Pereña, the head of the Mexican Agency for International Development Cooperation (AMEXCID).