Switzerland - The Graduate Institute, Geneva
Switzerland - The Graduate Institute, Geneva
Switzerland - The Graduate Institute, Geneva
Create successful ePaper yourself
Turn your PDF publications into a flip-book with our unique Google optimized e-Paper software.
SWISS ACADEMY FOR DEVELOPMENT<br />
Address SAD, Bözingenstrasse 71, CH-2502 Biel/Bienne<br />
Phone +41 (0)32 344 30 50<br />
Fax +41 32 341 08 10<br />
Web www.sad.ch<br />
E-Mail info@sad.ch<br />
Category Dialogue<br />
MISSION STATEMENT<br />
Social change and cultural diversity are basic factors in every society. <strong>The</strong>y represent both a potential and a risk for sustainable social<br />
development. <strong>The</strong>y can be used as an opportunity and incentive to produce innovations. But they can also lead to suspicion,<br />
frustration and violence. Change ultimately affects individuals in terms of their personalities. One of the challenges facing decisionmakers,<br />
therefore, is how to facilitate change and cultural diversity, as well as prevent violent conflict. With rigorous scientific<br />
backing and an action-oriented approach, the Swiss Academy for Development is dedicated to the question of how societies handle<br />
social change and cultural diversity. It studies the (micro-level) causes and effects of anomic states and violence, and uses<br />
instruments based on intercultural dialogue and sports to generate concrete strategies for better management of social change and<br />
cultural diversity.<br />
BACKGROUND AND ACTIVITIES<br />
Founding year 1991.<br />
<strong>The</strong> Swiss Academy for Development (SAD) is a politically independent, non-profit foundation.<br />
By means of research, experiential analysis, education and further training, intercultural forums, joint projects and public relations,<br />
the Swiss Academy for Development seeks to make cutting-edge contributions to development cooperation.<br />
• Center for Intercultural Dialogue: <strong>The</strong> history of <strong>Switzerland</strong> demonstrates that it is possible to integrate cultural variety and<br />
difference both socially and politically. <strong>The</strong> challenge that the Swiss Academy for Development (SAD) has taken up – both in<br />
<strong>Switzerland</strong> and elsewhere – is to broaden this experience and knowledge of the past and to put them at the service of<br />
shaping sustainable multicultural societies.<br />
• Anomie Research: the SAD studies the negative consequences of rapid social change as well as the resulting loss of<br />
orientation (anomie), and develops approaches for solutions.<br />
• Sport and Development: the SAD analyzes the potential of sport and games for social development, promotes the exchange<br />
of knowledge and develops instrument to implement the S&D projects.<br />
Since the beginning of 2006, the SAD is cooperating with Lebanese institutions to promote interreligious dialogue and exchange<br />
between youth and children (the local partner NGO organizes sports and games for children and promotes inter-religious leisure<br />
opportunities).<br />
None, see Annual Reports on website.<br />
Rolf Schwery: Executive Director, schwery@sad.ch<br />
SELECTED PUBLICATIONS<br />
REMARKS<br />
Niklaus Eggenberger: Deputy Director, Head of Youth and Anomie Research, eggenberger@sad.ch<br />
Mithra Akhbari: Research Associate Youth and Anomie Research (responsible for the project in Lebanon), akhbari@sad.ch<br />
New entry: March 2007.