Working together through the crisis – Swiss engagement in Ukraine

Wednesday, 02.11.2016 – Wednesday, 02.11.2016

Public event

© SDC

The SDC is organising a panel discussion on how Switzerland can help to improve the desperate situation of the Ukrainian population. 

Ukraine has been in deep crisis since the Crimea conflict with Russia broke out in 2014. The result has been thousands of deaths, one and a half million displaced persons, massive destruction of the infrastructure in the industrialised east of the country, a critical humanitarian situation, and an economic depression with severe social consequences. 

In these desperate circumstances, how can Switzerland help to improve conditions for the Ukrainian population? That is the key issue that politicians and representatives of federal agencies will address at this panel discussion. 

The panellists are:

  • Sibel Arslan, National Councillor, Green BastA!

  • Elisabeth Schneider-Schneiter, National Councillor, Christian Democrat People's Party CVP

  • Gretta Fenner, Director of the Basel Institute on Governance

  • Prof. Frithjof Benjamin Schenk, University of Basel

  • Ambassador Elisabeth von Capeller, Assistant Director, Head of Cooperation with Eastern Europe, SDC

  • Ivo Germann, Head of Operations, Economic Cooperation and Development, SECO

  • Holger Tausch, Head of the Swiss Cooperation Office in Kyiv

The discussion will be moderated by journalist Luzia Tschirky. It will be held in German.

To book your place or to request more information email deza@eda.admin.ch. Availability is limited so  better book early. Please note that we will not send confirmation of your participation.

Location: University of Basel

Tuesday, 06.12.2016 – Tuesday, 06.12.2016

Public event

On International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, which takes place every year on 25 November, the SDC and the Embassy of Canada in Switzerland are holding a panel discussion which will be open to the public.

Tuesday 6 December 2016, 5.30pm

Location: Generationenhaus, Bern

The panel invites its participants to discuss the theme ‘Engaging men & boys: how to build alliances to prevent violence against women?’ Men can be the perpetrators or victims of violence themselves, but as influential members of any society, all men have a role to play in deconstructing stereotypes and preventing violence against women. 

The panel will be an opportunity to present SDC-funded projects aimed at men and boys as well as a report detailing the SDC's efforts to address sexual and gender-based violence. Taking part are Jennifer MacIntyre, Ambassador of Canada to Switzerland, Elisabeth Von Capeller, Assistant Director of the SDC, and various experts on issues in connection with masculinity. The discussion will take place in English and will be followed by a drinks reception. 

A priority for the SDC

Preventing violence against women and improving women's access to justice is a priority for the SDC in the countries where it is active. The SDC spends approximately CHF 10 million annually on a variety of projects in more than ten countries in addition to contributions to several multilateral organisations working in favour of women who experience violence in conflict situations.