Articles

The global corona crisis does not affect everyone equally. Some people are economically and socially much more affected than others. Especially women, who are victims of domestic violence, precarious employment and often the sole earners of their families, are under pressure. – translated with DeepL

As a foundation for development cooperation, SWISSAID is also heavily affected by the corona virus. Executive Director Markus Allemann and the office managers from our partner countries report here on the current situation on an ongoing basis. After all, if a virus throws everyday life in Switzerland off balance, what does that mean for countries and people in the global South?

On March 4, a meeting was held in Matagalpa, Nicaragua, organized by the National Alliance “Semillas de Identidad“. This alliance was founded years ago by SWISSAID. The aim of the event was to exchange knowledge and experiences among producers of locally adapted seeds.

Doing good and learning new things: Renate Bach from Gstaad has been taking part in SWISSAID trinket sales with her school class for 41 years. She is convinced that “it gives the children valuable experience”. -translated with DeepL

In Tanzania, the demand for organic products is increasing – farmers are adapting by switching to agro-ecological cultivation methods. A win-win solution for producers, consumers and the entire country.

Bastienne Joerchel (54) has been active in development cooperation for more than 20 years. Alongside Fabian Molina, the French-speaking Swiss is the new Co-President of SWISSAID. She believes in the change that the Foundation is making to combat poverty in the world. And she will do everything in her power to support this commitment. -translated with DeepL

Since 2019 SP National Councillor Fabian Molina is the new Co-President of SWISSAID alongside Bastienne Joerchel. In an interview, he talks about his relationship with SWISSAID and what impressed him most on his trip through Colombia. -translated with DeepL

The 17 SDGs, also known as Agenda 2030, commit the international community to making its contribution to a fairer and less poor world. SWISSAID is working actively and energetically to achieve some of these goals. -translated with DeepL

2020 is a decisive year for the Group Responsibility Initiative (Kovi): a referendum is expected to be held in autumn/winter. Parliament has been debating proposals and counter-proposals for about three years. But why does it actually work?

Syngenta sells lethal pesticides in India that have long been banned in our country. Glencore poisons rivers in Colombia. Time and again, Swiss-based corporations violate human rights and ignore minimum environmental standards. Three concrete examples. -translated with DeepL

Dick Marty, former public prosecutor of the Canton of Ticino and member of the Council of States (1995-2011), is at the forefront of the Responsible Business Initiative as co-chair of the Initiative Committee. -translated with DeepL

Sensitive and competent: that’s how we report on people, topics and projects. We rely on large pictures so that everyone can see – and on depth of content as a breeding ground for sustainable change.

At the beginning of October 2019 conflicts broke out between the indigenous population, represented by their umbrella organisation (CONAIE), and the Ecuadorian government. The reasons were the announcement of new budget cuts, labour law reforms and the increase in fuel prices. Dissatisfaction with the new economic measures has mobilised more than 25,000 indigenous people, as […]

  A comprehensive new study published by three groups of scientists – Critical Scientists Switzerland, the European Network of Scientists for Social and Ecological Responsibility and the Association of German Scientists (Vereinigung Deutscher Wissenschaftler) – says that ‘many claimed features of gene drives are unrealistic and carry a high degree of scientific uncertainty and unpredictability’. Given […]

For thousands of years, small farmers around the world have been the guardians of the knowledge and endogenous genetic heritage of local communities. Through cultivation, replication and propagation, they have created an incredible diversity of varieties. In Niger, over 60% of farmers select their own seeds – a system that ensures food security, health and […]

A new study makes it clear that the International Convention for the Protection of New Varieties of Plants (UPOV 1991) does not bring any benefits to West Africa. -translated with DeepL

What are the challenges facing family farms in developing countries? Christine Badertscher, an agricultural expert at SWISSAID, spoke on this topic at the annual conference of the Swiss Society for Agricultural Economics and Agricultural Sociology (SGA). Over 70 experts from all over Switzerland exchanged views on agricultural topics in Wädenswil. -translated with DeepL

In Davos, the Federal Council is to campaign for human rights and the Paris Climate Agreement. In particular, Jair Bolsonaro, the new President of Brazil with whom Switzerland is currently negotiating the Mercosur Free Trade Agreement, will be in the spotlight. -translated with DeepL

The issue of gender equality is to be given even greater weight: This is what SWISSAID decided together with employees from Switzerland and the nine countries on the occasion of the development cooperation strategy for the years 2019-2024. For ethical reasons, and also for practical reasons: projects that take gender relations into account usually have a greater impact and more sustainable results. -translated with DeepL

On the occasion of the International Day of Countrywomen, the Swiss Farmers’ Association (SBLV) and SWISSAID are giving countrywomen in Switzerland and Chad a voice to report on their situation and developments since the International Year of Family Farming in 2014. -translated with DeepL

The SWISSAID Tanzania team not only impressed the public at the “Nanenane” national agricultural exhibition: thanks to agroecology, it was able to win first prize at the first attempt. -translated with DeepL

We, the signatory organisations, are calling upon European politicians and governments to stop the European Patent Office from promoting the sell-out of resources needed for our daily food, and effectively limit the monopolisation of seeds needed for conventional breeding and food production. Even though European patent law prohibits patents on plant varieties and «essentially biological» […]