More, Not Less, Development Cooperation
Crises, wars and climate change are hindering progress in international cooperation. This makes it especially important to strengthen Switzerland’s humanitarian efforts and sustainable development cooperation — to help the poorest, improve regional prospects, stabilize international value chains, and enhance Switzerland’s security and reputation.
Skeptics and opponents of development cooperation repeatedly claim that it is ineffective. This assertion is not consistent with scientific findings or with my personal experience as a former chair of the Commission for International Cooperation, which advises the Federal Council.
Development cooperation has been proven to successfully combat poverty, child mortality and hunger, and has a positive impact on life expectancy. It creates economic opportunities and strengthens good governance. Crises, wars and climate change are currently hindering these positive achievements. Yet instead of stepping up its commitment to affected people and countries, the international community is cutting back. Switzerland is no exception, even though, according to the latest ETH Zurich security study, more than half of the Swiss electorate wants to provide more development aid.
The public wants more development cooperation
It is incomprehensible that the Federal Council wants to make further cuts. On the one hand, by ending Switzerland’s engagement in six countries and cutting 100 jobs, which will save 113 million Swiss francs. On the other hand, by shifting funds from long-term poverty reduction to short-term humanitarian aid to avoid supplementary appropriations in the event of extraordinary crises. This means a further 23 percent cut for development cooperation.
Felix Gutzwiller
Development cooperation, such as that carried out by Helvetas, is preventive work — and it is also in Switzerland’s interest. Why? Because it has a stabilizing effect. The volatile global situation is giving rise to new risks. As I write these lines, an Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Uganda is causing anxiety among local residents and health professionals worldwide; the war in the Middle East is destabilizing the global economy and exacerbating poverty and inequality in many countries, especially in the Global South.
Development cooperation is preventive work
Where healthcare is scarce, where people still lack access to clean water and quality education, where hatred is stoked on social media, the private sector is struggling, and the rule of law is being eroded, organizations like Helvetas work with those affected and decision-makers to develop solutions. But instead of creating opportunities for young people in countries of the Global South — so that they, too, have a chance at a dignified and self-determined life — we are thwarting promising progress with budget cuts.
Funding for development cooperation is not simply an expense, it is an investment: With all its experience and proven, effective projects and programs, Switzerland can make a decisive contribution to stabilizing crisis-ridden states and societies. This is in our own interest, because poverty reduction, peacebuilding, the rule of law and good governance reduce security risks on the ground in the long term. And thus also for us here in Switzerland.
About the Author
Felix Gutzwiller is a preventive medicine specialist and a member of the Helvetas Executive Board. He served as a member of the National Council and the Council of States for the FDP and as chair of the Commission for International Cooperation (Development Aid), which advises the Federal Council.
