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Development policy

Political article

The men left behind

It is a truism: without open-minded men there can be no progress in the gender debate. But what if, as in Mongolia, men are left behind in matters of education?

Political article

Federal Council reined in

The weapons industry should not be strengthened through facilitated exports to countries undergoing internal conflict. Arms exports and development are hardly compatible.

Political article

No development funds for dubious corporations!

The Federal Council wishes to involve Swiss companies more in Switzerland's development cooperation. A condition for this should be the full support of the responsible business initiative.

Massive contraction in Swiss development funding

Switzerland has clearly missed its own development assistance target. While the ODA quota remained just about stable across OECD countries, in Switzerland it dropped from 0.53% to 0.46%. A hefty 14% contraction.

Remissen; Rimessen; Rücküberweisung

Article as analysis

Saving for those back home

Migrants' remittances hit a new record in 2014. Some USD 600 billion were transferred to home countries worldwide. Yet the data situation is unclear and the discussion on development benefits complex.

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.

Article as analysis

AIIB: New global player under scrutiny

“The AIIB can contribute significantly to (…) promoting sustainable economic development in Asia”, the Swiss Government stated in August 2015 justifying Switzerland's involvement in the AIIB. Time for an interim appraisal.

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.