Publications

The March edition of à propos is now available! This issue explores the multifaceted world of communication in peacebuilding. By sharing their positive experiences, challenges encountered, and strategies, members of KOFF and their partners share valuable insights into the nuances of what, when, and for what purpose to communicate in the pursuit of peace and conflict prevention.

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The last episode of the KOFF podcast series on the Swiss seat in the UN Security Council is dedicated to the issue of the growing importance of the digital space for peace and security. Anne-Marie Buzatu (ICT4Peace), Sacha Meuter (Fondation Hirondelle), and Emma Baumhofer (swisspeace) discuss potential opportunities and challenges the digital sphere poses for the UN Security Council and suggests how Switzerland might include aspects on digital peacebuilding in its priorities during the second year of its non- permanent membership.

Listen to the KOFF-Tonträger on Spotify and Soundcloud

The blog "Polit-Sichten" by Helvetas gives monthly insights into development cooperation politics. In January, readers can learn more about Switzerland's progress in implementing the Agenda 2030, about Switzerland's work in the UN Security Council, and about the progress and the challenges in fighting against statelessness.

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Switzerland has worked towards the implementation of the Women, Peace, and Security Agenda for a a long time. Yet, in times of gender backlash, there is still a long way to go. Switzerland needs to continuously work on this issue during its time in the UN Security Council. In this episode of the KOFF-Tonträger, Talia Wohl (FDFA), Lisa Bissegger (Frieda), and Helena Nyberg (WILPF) discuss Switzerland's successes and challenges in working for the WPS Agenda in the UN Security Council, as well as what a feminist security understanding means.

Listen to the KOFF-Tonträger on Spotify and Soundcloud

For its time in the UN Security Council Switzerland has set out four priorities. One of them is addressing climates security. In the latest episode of the KOFF-Tonträger, Dorothea Schiewer discusses the interconnection between climate & security and its relevance for the international policy level with Stefan Salzmann, Fastenaktion, and Yvan Keckeis & Ariadna Pop, FDFA. What priorities are important? What challenges does Switzerland face? And what has Switzerland already achieved?

Listen to the KOFF-Tonträger on Soundcloud or Spotify

Since January 2023, Switzerland has a non-permanent seat in the UN Security Council. KOFF engages in a podcast series with this new Swiss role on the international policy level. In this first episode of the KOFF-Tonträger, Dorothea Schiewer (KOFF/swisspeace) speaks with Esther Neuhaus (FDFA), Maria-Isabelle Wieser (GSUN) and Anna Leissing (KOFF/swisspeace) about priorities, opportunities, challenges, and civil society expectations for the Swiss seat in the UN Security Council.

Listen to the podcast on Soundcloud  or Spotify

With "Polit-Sichten" Helvetas provides monthly insights to a topic relevant for in development politics. In this edition the focus is on Western Africa where the world's biggest metropolis is created at the Gulf of Guinea. Moreover, an article illustrates why the proposal by the Federal Council for the support of Ukraine has gained little support within the parties. But prior to this, Polit-Sichten looks to Dubai where the climate conference is taking place, showing why a solution for "damages and losses" is essential for the success of COP28.

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The November edition of à propos is online! It delves into the complex peace and conflict dynamics of the West African Sahel region. Discover how persistent political instability and governance issues contribute to violent extremism, climate-induced conflicts, food insecurity and gender-based violence. Learn about international troop interventions, their controversies, and their impact on the region's security landscape. The KOFF organizations and partners provide you with insights on navigating these transformations.

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The September edition of the à propos magazine relates to the alarming gender backlash that has emerged over the past years, targeting women, feminist peace movements, and LGBTQI+ people. It delves into the various forms this phenomenon takes, including the silencing and repression of organizations advocating for gender equality, heightened rates of sexual and gender-based violence, constraints on reproductive health, and the amplification of anti-gender hate speech. Learn more about the impact of this backlash on the KOFF members and their partner organizations and the strategies they develop to confront it.

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With global conflicts and violence on the rise and limited financial resources, the July edition of à propos underscores the importance of diversifying and effectively utilizing funds for peacebuilding. It showcases innovative approaches to combat the mismanagement of peacebuilding funds and empower local peacebuilding actors to attain a fairer control over these financial resources, while also advocating for increased involvement of the public and private sectors in supporting peacebuilding efforts.

en | de | fr | take a look at all à propos