All news (847)
Switzerland increases its commitment to development and gender equality
29.11.2013
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Press release
EDA
The Federal Council is strengthening Switzerland's commitment to development and gender equality via the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women (UN Women), in order to make an even more decisive contribution to reducing poverty, eliminating discrimination and improving the situation of disadvantaged women and girls. To this end and based on its positive assessment of the effectiveness of these organisations, Switzerland is increasing its overall contribution to UNDP and UN Women. Its funding to UNDP is to go up from CHF 54 million to CHF 60 million per year for 2013 and 2014. The amount to UN Women will go up to CHF 12 million for 2013 and CHF 14 million for 2014. The Federal Council's decision takes due account of these organisations' important mandates and the express will of the Swiss Parliament, which increased the framework credit for international development cooperation for the 2013-2016 period.
National conference on gender-based violence
22.11.2013
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Press release
EDA
Domestic violence, genital mutilation, forced marriage and human trafficking: Gender-based violence exists in various forms and occurs in all countries. In Switzerland, on average one person is killed in incidents involving domestic violence every two weeks, two out of three victims are women. At a conference today co-hosted by the Federal Department of Home Affairs (FDHA) and the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA), some 180 specialists from all parts of Switzerland have met in Bern to share experiences and discuss the opportunities and challenges of international agreements for Switzerland on fighting gender-based violence.
Swiss national appointed commissioner-general of UNRWA
20.11.2013
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Press release
EDA
Pierre Krähenbühl, current director of operations of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), has been appointed commissioner-general of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) by the UN secretary-general, Ban Ki-moon.
«The 19 November 2013 elections are an important step in the ongoing peace process in Nepal»
18.11.2013
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Artículo
DEZA
On 19 November 2013 elections will take place in Nepal for a new constituent assembly. Nepal has been a priority country for Swiss development cooperation for many years. Switzerland’s presence there dates back to the 1950s. In recent years Switzerland has focused its involvement especially on promoting the peace process and the rule of law. In an interview, Ambassador Urs Herren explains how and why Switzerland is committed to a sustainable political system in Nepal.
Switzerland allocates CHF 6 million to victims of Typhoon Haiyan
16.11.2013
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Press release
EDA
The Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA) has decided to allocate CHF 6 million to support humanitarian activities in the Philippines. This decision reflects the Swiss Confederation’s wish to provide help for the victims of Typhoon Haiyan. The sum will be used to fund direct action by Swiss Humanitarian Aid for the benefit of those affected by the typhoon.
Swiss government names new Ambassadors
13.11.2013
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Press release
EDA
The Swiss government (Federal Council) has approved the list of diplomatic staff transfers scheduled for 2014 submitted by the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs. The changes will be made in accordance with the normal rate of transfers, to be communicated at the time of the decision by the Federal Council. The appointments of Heads of Mission take effect as soon as the authorities in the host country communicate their approval. The Federal Council takes this opportunity to express its gratitude to the Ambassadors due to retire for the services rendered.
Switzerland and Austria join forces to promote global sustainable development in mountain regions
13.11.2013
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Press release
EDA
Switzerland and Austria intend to step up their cooperation to share their experience of the sustainable development of mountain regions with as many people living in mountain regions around the world as possible. In addition, they want to raise political leaders' awareness of the specific needs of mountain regions. On 13 November 2013, Martin Dahinden, director-general of the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC), and Martin Ledolter, managing director of the Austrian Development Agency (ADA), signed an agreement to this effect.
Fishing and fertiliser trees: how agricultural research is making an impact in developing countries
12.11.2013
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Artículo
DEZA
Three short films on projects supported by the SDC in Cambodia and Africa
Working with the European Initiative for Agricultural Research for Development (EIARD), the SDC has financed 20 case studies on the impact of agricultural research in developing countries. Three of these have been turned into short films: on awarding fishing concessions to local fishing communities in Cambodia; on successful spread of fertiliser tree cultivation; and on natural methods to combat lethal fungal toxins (aflatoxins) in Africa.
«Definimos unas posiciones comunes que presentamos después a nivel internacional»
11.11.2013
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Artículo
DEZA
Carmen Thoennissen habla de los tres años de presidencia suiza de la Plataforma europea de investigación EIARD
Suiza asumió la presidencia de la Iniciativa Europea para la Investigación Agraria para el Desarrollo (EIARD) durante tres años, de 2011 a 2013. Este grupo, constituido por los países de la UE, la Comisión Europea, Suiza y Noruega, tiene como objetivo facilitar la coordinación a nivel de continente y procurar unas posiciones europeas comunes que son presentadas posteriormente a nivel internacional. Entrevista a Carmen Thoennissen, Presidenta de la Plataforma y colaboradora del Programa global Seguridad alimentaria de la COSUDE.
«Quería expresarme y la danza me ha permitido hacerlo»
11.11.2013
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Artículo
DEZA
Entrevista a Yaya Sarria, bailarín y coreógrafo chadiano de la compañía «Sabot du Vent»
El coreógrafo Yaya Sarria comparte su experiencia como artista en Chad y habla sobre el papel liberador de la danza contemporánea en un país que enfrenta muchos retos. En 2013, en el marco del festival «juilletdanse», presentó un espectáculo en Friburgo creado en colaboración con Tonia Schilling y apoyado por la Cooperación Suiza para el Desarrollo. La constancia, la creatividad y el deseo de progresar de Yaya Sarria son una prueba de que los artistas chadianos tienen su puesto en el escenario internacional.
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.