Switzerland - The Graduate Institute, Geneva

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