Science meets practice

The world is constantly changing. So too are the challenges it faces as the result of conflicts and crises like the COVID-19 pandemic, the energy crisis, food insecurity and climate change. Switzerland aims to tackle these challenges with the help of its International Cooperation (IC) strategy and the Sustainable Development Goals of the 2030 Agenda. To fulfil this mission, Swiss international cooperation needs young professionals who have the right skills and qualifications to design and implement effective programmes. The Master of Advanced Studies (MAS) in Global Cooperation and Sustainable Development at ETH NADEL was established to meet this need.

The MAS in Global Cooperation and Sustainable Development is an 18-month full-time interdisciplinary programme that combines interdisciplinary courses on theories of sustainable development, empirical evidence analysis, and skills acquisition. The programme includes eight months' on-the-job training. Students from high-income countries complete their internship in a low- or middle-income country; students from low- or middle-income countries complete theirs in Switzerland.

The MAS programme has trained 800 specialists. We asked two of them about the role of international cooperation (IC) in promoting sustainable economic development that takes into account social, ecological and climate aspects. What specific measures or strategies do you consider to be particularly effective in this context?

Mischa Weber: International cooperation can play a substantial role in fostering climate-resilient and inclusive economic development. Firstly, by mobilizing financing and channeling it towards climate-adapted infrastructure, such as renewable energy and sustainable water systems, as well as inclusive value chain development. Secondly, it facilitates the exchange of knowledge and technologies in crucial areas, including climate-resilient agriculture, sustainable water management, and early warning systems—especially among countries facing similar climate challenges.

Debora Cohen: IC is strained when needed most. Post-COVID, poverty has risen, scarce finances and geopolitical tensions threaten climate and social sustainability. Yet, crises push us to rethink past failures — moving beyond colonial-era models through localization and innovation. Transformative approaches like cash transfer programs and participatory grantmaking empower communities and foster resilience. At its best, IC connects stakeholders, ensuring prosperity is shared through cooperation — a vital force in a fragmented world, proving that collective action drives lasting change.

The SDC supports the MAS programme in two ways. First, it finances the on-the-job training module. Second, it shares its knowledge and expertise in the form of guest lectures by members of SDC personnel. The content of these lectures ranges from general IC-related topics to specific subjects like market systems development. In return, the SDC enjoys access to a major knowledge-sharing platform. This is one of the most important benefits of SDC-ETH cooperation given that a key added value of Swiss international cooperation is its use of the latest insights from science and research to deliver effective outcomes.

Effective crisis response requires not only well-trained specialist personnel but also technological innovations that deliver life-changing solutions for poor communities. The ETH for Development (ETH4D) programme was launched in 2019 to meet these needs. To develop transformative innovations with a global perspective, ETH4D connects researchers from the fields of engineering, the natural sciences and social sciences with civil society, NGOs, governments and the private sector. As a member of the External Advisory Board, the FDFA actively helps steer the direction of ETH4D activities and capitalises on the technological innovations and expertise in the Global South which stem from this partnership.