Peace, governance and migration

How can women's engagement in peace processes be promoted? Circles of Peace is an innovative project allowing Malian women from different backgrounds, social classes, religions and political affiliations to play a key role in the peace and reconciliation process in Mali. Bouaré Bintou Founé Samaké, the executive director of the NGO WILDAF/Mali, tells us more.

Since 2019, Lebanon has been experiencing a severe economic crisis while simultaneously hosting approximately 1.5 million refugees from Syria. Access to clean drinking water for all is not guaranteed, exacerbating tensions. In the Bekaa Valley, the SDC is running a project that utilises digitalisation and solar energy to improve water management. The project also aims to ease tensions surrounding water access. This initiative is part of Switzerland's broader efforts to address water-related issues in Lebanon.

Humanicemos is a demining organisation that emerged from the peace agreement between the Colombian government and the FARC rebels. "For life, reconciliation and reconstruction" is the motto of the former fighters, who are supported by Switzerland.

Every day, a great number of Swiss women and men work on the SDC's development cooperation and humanitarian aid projects. In the SDC podcast, they tell us about their projects and provide insight into the lives of local people.

Authoritarian tendencies and regimes are gaining ground in many places around the world. At the same time, democracies are coming under pressure both internally and externally. The Federal Council has therefore defined 'democracy and governance' as one of the thematic priorities of the Foreign Policy Strategy 2024–27. The Summit for Democracy is also examining how democratic systems can be reinforced. Young people have a particularly important part to play here, says Ambassador Simon Geissbühler, who is representing Switzerland at the Summit in Seoul.

The year 2022 was replete with major challenges: climate disasters, the war of aggression against Ukraine, as well as energy and food crises. Switzerland's engagement made an important contribution to efforts to overcome these pressing issues. The Swiss International Cooperation – Annual Report 2022 has compiled the key stories, facts and figures from this year.