Current Political Challenges and the Importance of Diversity and Inclusion in International Cooperation
Diversity and inclusion have been among the most important topics in our workplaces over the past 20 years – yet today, this essential progress is under threat.
Author
New directives and pressures emerging from the current US administration are not only challenging but actively halting D&I initiatives. Alarmingly, even large companies in Switzerland are beginning to withdraw their commitments, bowing to commercial and political pressures rather than standing by their values.
Why diversity matters even more in international cooperation
It is now more urgent than ever to analyse the current state of the elements of D&I, so as not to hold back this central trend to boosting both performance and social well-being in public and private organisations alike.
All the more so in the field of international cooperation (IC), where the heterogeneity of people is particularly marked due to the mix of different cultures and working environments.
How should we respond to this political shift without being paralysed by shock?
The current situation calls for even more actions such as:
- Awareness of the importance of D&I elements
- Analysis of the current situation according to D&I elements
- Increased need to implement the D&I elements and evaluate companies
Despite the ongoing political challenges, it remains crucial to highlight the significance of diversity and inclusion (D&I) elements. Key components of a fair and effective D&I policy should particularly emphasize respect for the following aspects:
- Gender
- Age
- Origin and culture
- Language and nationality
- Disability or illness
- Religion
- Sexual orientation
- Neurodiversity (mental disabilities)
- Political ideology.
Comprehensive awareness of all these elements is proving complex and difficult even today in many Swiss companies and organisations. Among the list of D&I elements, this article focuses above all on gender issues and the discrimination still observed concerning women, more specifically on the Swiss labour market.
Discrepancies between D&I policies and practice in Switzerland
The Swiss DOIT Smart project launched in 2018 until 2021 to analyse the implementation of diversity and inclusion policies among main companies. It revealed the many deficiencies and shortcomings within large companies in Switzerland. Despite the D&I guidelines introduced, actual implementation remained marginal (see Keel Andy, DOIT Smart, Gender Diversity: Wo stehen wir, 2019). The reasons were often related to the gap between the formal directives on D&I and the effective implementation lacking in many companies.
What comes next: from awareness to action in D&I
In conclusion, while current political challenges threaten progress in diversity and inclusion, it remains essential to stay vigilant and proactive. The impact of these changes is particularly evident in the field of international cooperation, where cultural and social diversity plays a crucial role. To understand how these issues manifest in practice, it is necessary to delve deeper into key aspects such as gender equality and structural barriers, including the glass ceiling.
In the following articles, we will explore practical steps to address these issues head-on, offering hope and solutions for meaningful change.
Bibliography
- Diversity in the Swiss Labour Market of International Cooperation, cinfo, 2022
- Flexible Work Arrangements in a Changing Environment, cinfo, 2022
- Gleichstellung – Controlling, Gudrun Sander, UNISG, 2025
- What to Do About Employees Who Consciously Exclude Women, Jamie L. Gloor, Gudrun Sander & Alyson Meister, 2025
- Gender Diversity: Wo stehen wir, Andy Keel, 2019
- Transparenz an der Spitze: Die Führungsgremien der Schweizer Wirtschaft und des öffentlichen Sektors, Schillingreport, 2025
- The Best Places to Be a Working Woman, The Economist, 2025
