Good policies and their implementation are a matter of survival. This was a bitter lesson of the financial crisis. We have seen so many development efforts and cooperation projects suffocated by diminishing financial and policy space. The lessons learnt from the economic, political and social history of Switzerland and their relevance for development policy in the 21st century are not a recipe book for success in development but may be an interesting and complementary source of policy advice.

Policy analysis and advice, with the perspective of

(1) pro-poor policies and

(2) the provision of public goods are our core concerns.

Experience tells us that regional economic integration is often at least as promising as a forced orientation towards global markets. Moreover, a regional perspective is usually more sound on environmental grounds. Keeping this in mind, the following areas are at centre stage in our activities:

Poverty

The instrument of the Poverty Reduction Strategy (PRS) owned by all stakeholders is an opportunity for a pluralistic approach, opening up space for non-mainstream pro-poor policies. Pro-poor policies are a priority for more than social sectors like health and education. Poverty reduction is as much a concern of the productive and private sector to generate income and jobs.

Trade

We are prepared to contribute to processes that facilitate the penetration of world markets by developing and transition countries, so that they get their fair share in globalisation, and to processes that lead to their empowerment in the multilateral trade system. Pure growth strategies should be modified to include distributional aspects, in order to arrive at effective pro-poor policies. Fair trade opportunities deserve special attention.

Finance

The policies followed by poor and aid-dependent developing and transition countries are to a large extent shaped by the policies of the Bretton Woods Institutions (World Bank, International Monetary Fund). We share the view that a new international financial architecture – including a Fair and Transparent Arbitration Process and revised governance in the Bretton Woods Institutions – is required in the interests of developing and transition countries.

Environment

The global economy, with its focus on economies of scale, its specialisation and monocultures, as well as the increasing concentration on economically strong regions, puts our climate and the environment under stress – and highlights at the same time the alternative approach based on livelihoods, multifunctionality and diversity. Making market forces preventively work for the preservation of our climate and environment, and implementing  the ´polluter-pays principle´ are among our working approaches to keeping or restoring a sound environment for future generations.

Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs)

The new information and communication technologies (ICTs) – a revolution for whom? In Geneva, 2003, and in Tunis, 2005, the World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS) took place. An enabling environment in ICT policy and implementation to boost economic growth and poverty reduction is desperately needed. Its potential is well illustrated by the triumph of mobile phones in Africa.

Globalisation

The dominating pattern of globalisation is shaped by the economic leaders of the North and shaped to their benefits. New trade rules, a new financial architecture, new forms of multilateral governance, new roles for the private sector - including its corporate social responsibilities - are required to address poverty and inequity effectively at the regional, national and global level.

Beyond these areas we have experience in dealing with a range of issues, as diverse as migration and social development. In recognition of the quality of our policy advice Richard Gerster became a member of the Development Cooperation Advisory Council to the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Austria.

Some of the outputs of our policy advice are accessible under the results section. On request, references for further policy development work undertaken can be quoted.