International cooperation and multilateral organisation

Five young and ambitious data science entrepreneurs from the Gaza Strip embark on a life-changing journey to Switzerland. For the coming four months, these talented individuals are getting exposure to an international working environment as interns in Swiss start-ups and research laboratories at prestigious universities in Lausanne and Fribourg.

The year 2022 was replete with major challenges: climate disasters, the war of aggression against Ukraine, as well as energy and food crises. Switzerland's engagement made an important contribution to efforts to overcome these pressing issues. The Swiss International Cooperation – Annual Report 2022 has compiled the key stories, facts and figures from this year.

On 12 February 2023 – one month after the general elections – Benin's National Assembly has welcomed its new members of parliament. For the first time in Benin's democratic history, twenty-eight of the 109 parliamentary seats will be occupied by women. Switzerland's governance and gender equality programmes have helped to strengthen women's political leadership.

Main beneficiaries, but also actors: young people play a key role in education. This will be the focus of the International Cooperation Forum Switzerland (IC Forum), which will be held in Geneva on 15 February. Samuel Espinosa Gómez and Mohammed Habib Fuseini will travel from Mexico and Ghana to participate as young ambassadors.

In this interview, SDC Director General Patricia Danzi talks about the International Cooperation Forum Switzerland and explains why it's so important to include young people in the discussion. Education is one of the most important sustainable development goals of the 2030 Agenda – and it's also one of the goals that suffers from acute financing problems. What does that mean for those who are impacted? And most importantly, how can we stop this harmful trend? This year's edition of the IC Forum will shine a spotlight on education.

The Jacobs Foundation works to improve education systems worldwide. The Swiss philanthropic organisation will share its experience at the IC Forum 2023, which will focus on international cooperation in this field. In an interview, Donika Dimovska, Chief Knowledge Officer, presents some of the initiatives carried out from the Ivory Coast to Colombia to provide the most appropriate learning solutions for each child.