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Humanitarian Access in Situations of Armed Conflict

Rapid and unhindered access for humanitarian organisations to civilians in armed conflict zones is essential. However, it is often impeded or refused. In two publications Switzerland advocates improvements in this area: The Manual provides a summary of the relevant rules of international law; the Guidelines are designed for humanitarian practitioners concerned with the question of access.

FDFA Action Plan for the protection of children associated with armed forces or groups in armed conflict 2014 – 2016

Today, there are about a quarter of a million children under the age of 18 enlisted in or associated with armed forces or armed groups. By adopting the present action plan, Switzerland hopes to achieve greater impact and commitment in the protection of children associated with armed forces or groups in armed conflict. In particular the emphasis will be on greater efforts to prevent child recruitment and on the reintegration of the children concerned through support for projects that can concretely improve their daily lives and future prospects.

The Fates behind the numbers

„The Fates Behind the Numbers“ offers a perspective of the Kosovo Property Agency, set up in the aftermath of the war in Kosovo to resolve property disputes, by giving a voice to the claimants and respondents involved in the cases adjudicated by the institution.

La longue route des Etats fragiles

Water for Peace

Strategy on the protection of civilians in armed conflicts

Today’s conflicts are rarely fought on battlefields away from populated areas, but they are also fought in public spaces, in the streets and in the markets. By adopting the present strategy, Switzerland hopes to achieve greater impact and commitment on behalf of victims of armed conflict.

Un seul monde 3/2013

États fragiles / Myanmar / Aide humanitaire

50 Swis faces in the Council of Europe

What are the differences between the Council of Europe and the EU? Why is Switzerland a member of the Council of Europe and what can it obtain from it? 50 Swiss nationals speak about their involvement in the Council of Europe.

The Swiss Enlargement Contribution

The Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation SDC and the State Secretariat for Economic Affairs present an interim balance sheet on the first five years since the approval of the Enlargement Contribution to the new 10 EU-Member States. The projects are to be implemented within another five year period, i.e., by 2017.

Expert Pool for Civilian Peacebuilding

Every year, some 200 civilian experts representing various areas of expertise are deployed on short or longer-term missions in over 30 countries – half of them as election observers.

Politorbis Nr. 54: Tenth Anniversary of the International Criminal Court: the Challenges of Complementarity

This magazine on Swiss foreign policy publishes articles written by experts. It appears several times a year. The articles are published usually in the language in which they were written. The contents do not necessarily reflect the views of the FDFA.

Politorbis Nr. 53: Révoltes arabes: regards croisés sur le Moyen-Orient

This magazine on Swiss foreign policy publishes articles written by experts. It appears several times a year. The articles are published usually in the language in which they were written. The contents do not necessarily reflect the views of the FDFA.