Future trends and competencies for the Swiss international cooperation sector
What are the trends and challenges in the IC sector and what skills are needed to address them? A recent report by cinfo and NADEL provides guidance.
What influences the future of global development cooperation and what skills are most needed to contribute to a more equitable world? Together with cinfo, NADEL conducted a survey among more than 200 people working in Swiss international cooperation to gather their views on this question.
Out of 25 trends, participants identified climate change and water scarcity, human displacement and migration, growing inequalities and fragility and digitalization as the current trends that will have the greatest impact on international cooperation in the future. Fundamental changes in the relationships between organizations in high- and low-income countries and between civil society, government actors and the private sector were also highlighted.
To successfully address these trends, the most relevant competencies in 2030 will be according to the interviewed professionals: collaboration, cooperation and teamwork, adaptability and flexibility, systematic and critical thinking, and digital literacy. The study outlines a variety of mechanisms to help foster and acquire these competencies – including knowledge, skills and attitudes - with specific recommendations for organizations, educational institutions, and individuals.