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“International development cooperation in transition” was Swisscontact’s motto during our anniversary year. On this occasion, the organisation also asked itself questions about the future: how can Swisscontact continue contributing to a development model that includes all people? Today, at time of publication of the 2019 Annual Report, this anniversary motto is more relevant than ever. The COVID-19 pandemic and globally imposed lockdown will leave serious consequences in their wake, making international development cooperation a more urgent issue than ever before. In these times, when now all societies and governments are turning inwards, it is all the more important not to lose sight of global linkages.
Swisscontact hopes this far-sightedness is shared by parliamentary committees when they meet and debate this summer on the International Cooperation strategy 2021-2024. “Heading into a global recession, we must not forget Agenda 2030. Only when the international community continues to follow the development goals can at least the worst consequences of the crisis be contained,” writes Samuel Bon, Swisscontact CEO, in a comment. It is not only a question of solidarity but also one of global stability.
For the 2019 Annual Report, Swisscontact showcased two of more than a hundred projects in text and pictures. One of these takes us to rural Niger, where young people have few opportunities to complete a vocational education. With a market-oriented training, they now have better opportunities to find a job. On behalf of the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC), Swisscontact, therefore, developed training courses that meet the needs of young people on the one hand while being mindful of regional economic demands on the other. Metalworker Aïcha Amadou completed a 14-month dual apprenticeship-based vocational training: “I can’t find the words to describe how much this training has changed me. Moreover, it is our workshop that benefits,” she says.
As part of Swisscontact’s further development, the merger with the UK’s “Springfield Centre” in 2019 was a milestone. Both organisations are like-minded; more specifically, they share the view that a carefully designed, environmentally friendly and socially mindful private sector development approach in many cases is the best way to achieve inclusive development. The shared path underscores a core element of Swisscontact’s Strategy 2025: the challenges inherent in international development cooperation require new partnerships that must use synergies and build on complementary approaches. This will create value for donor partners, and resources can be deployed to the greatest benefit of the local beneficiaries in the field.