Development and research policies

24 June 2026

Jennifer Inauen and Thomas Breu

“Knowledge alone is not the best lever to bring about change”

Despite ongoing crises, we’re carrying on largely as normal. But why? Jennifer Inauen, Head of the Department of Health Psychology, University of Bern, and CDE Director Thomas Breu explore why it’s important that psychology and the sustainability sciences join forces to achieve real change.

8 May 2025

Anna-Katharina Hornidge and Sabin Bieri

“We mustn’t shy away from doing science that’s political”

The election of Donald Trump is causing the pillars of the previous world order to collapse. What does this mean for the goals of sustainable development, and for sustainability science itself? We spoke to Anna-Katharina Hornidge, Director of the German Institute IDOS, and CDE Director Sabin Bieri.

27 April 2023

“The EU handles research cooperation with Africa in a much more forward-looking way than Switzerland”

While the EU is boosting its research cooperation with Africa, Switzerland clings to old approaches. “The potential of countries in the global South isn’t recognized,” says Thomas Breu, Director of CDE. Yet now is when we urgently need more momentum to tackle global challenges and crises in concert.

4 April 2023

“Diversity is the key to decolonizing research”

North–South research collaboration is still largely determined by the power imbalance between the global North and South, as well as by colonial patterns. So, it’s high time to decolonize research. CDE scientist Ravaka Andriamihaja investigated the issues at stake for the Swiss Commission for Research Partnerships with Developing Countries (KFPE).

14 July 2022

“We have waited far too long for politicians to act”

There are many reasons why implementation of the 2030 Agenda is stalled. One reason, believes CDE Director Thomas Breu: “We don’t just need alarm bells – we also need positive stories and narratives that show something is possible.” Science can and should play a strong role in providing such stories.

8 June 2022

“The SDGs run the risk of becoming an anti-politics machine”

Half-time for the 2030 Agenda: besides a clear delay in terms of their implementation, the SDGs are also attracting criticism. Tobias Haller warns: “Because commons are not included in the 2030 Agenda, state elites and private individuals can continue to legitimize the grabbing of such resources.”

31 May 2022

“If we continue at this rate, we won’t get anywhere by 2050”

In early May, the Swiss Federal Council presented its second country report on implementation of the UN sustainable development goals. Has Switzerland truly made (almost) no progress towards the 2030 Agenda? CDE researcher Christoph Bader accompanied the report scientifically.

12 February 2021

“We would have liked to see more courage from the Swiss government”

The Swiss government has outlined how it intends to achieve the goals of the 2030 Agenda. “We should take the opportunity now to create institutions and procedures that will also support sustainability beyond 2030,” says Stephanie Moser, CDE.

22 August 2019

“Economic growth alone does not automatically benefit the poorest people”

In early May, the Swiss Federal Council presented the new development policy strategy proposed for consultation. Now CDE is weighing in with its own response. An interview with Sabin Bieri Member of CDE's Executive Committee (in German).

31 July 2018

Peter Messerli

“Political polarization won’t help us progress on the 2030 Agenda”

Today, Switzerland will present to the United Nations its Country Report 2018 on progress towards the 2030 Agenda. But the report has met with criticism within Switzerland. CDE Director Peter Messerli on missed opportunities – but also on positive developments in sustainability issues in Switzerland.