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Development policy

Political article

Where misunderstandings abound

Development cooperation is expected to prevent migration and guard against terrorism. This is too short-sighted. An overdue clarification of the limits and possibilities of development cooperation.

Ignazio Cassis

Article as analysis

New head of FDFA: World domestic policy challenge

Many in the media suggest that Swiss foreign policy is primarily policy on Europe. But the new Foreign Minister Ignazio Cassis is also responsible for development policy. Major challenges lie ahead.

Article as analysis

Contradictory plans for Africa

Migration prevention is becoming an ever more prominent feature of international cooperation. Lately, the funding of systems of repression has also become a part of it. The new Foreign Minister is well advised to raise questions about this trend.

Article as analysis

The misguided policy of turning a blind eye

Also in Switzerland the "refugee crisis" is causing a stir. A few facts would be a useful input to this discussion.

IZA-Budget 2017-2020

Short-sighted savings at expense of the poorest

Massive cuts were made to the Confederation's 2016 development assistance budget. The Federal Council also cut back the credit lines in its Dispatch on Switzerland's International Cooperation 2017-2020.

The misconception around development aid

"Development aid reinforces poverty" – the Swiss media have used this headline in commenting on Nobel Prize Winner Angus Deaton's research. There's a major misunderstanding in this debate.

Development assistance: successful 0.7% petition

A broad-based mobilization was what triggered the gradual raising of Switzerland's official development assistance up to 2015. As a result of a petition, Parliament approved an increase to 0.5% of Gross National Income (GNI).

Article as analysis

Eying the development budget

Switzerland is proud of its contribution to the successful adoption of the 2030 Agenda. At the same time the Government is planning deep cuts to development cooperation funding.

Article as analysis

Swiss emergency stocks on the expense of the poor

The new draft of the National Economic Supply Act endorses the funding of Switzerland's mandatory stocks through taxes on imports of products from other countries, including the poorest ones.