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Multilinguism in the SDC

Efforts to nurture multilinguism are designed to secure appropriate representation of Switzerland’s four linguistic communities at all levels of responsibility and in all departments. The full benefit of cultural diversity can be felt only when all language groups are involved in policy-shaping and decision-making processes.

With its policy on multilinguism, which is also part of federal government human resources policy, the SDC establishes principles, values and objectives for furthering multilinguism and intercultural communication, taking its lead for their practical implementation from the four-year programme drawn up in conjunction with the FDFA.

The Agency uses recruitment, the encouragement of young professionals and management development to achieve appropriate representation of all language groups.

Besides championing multilingual communication, for example via its Intraweb and the Internet, the SDC promotes each employee’s knowledge of languages. It also ensures that candidates can express themselves in their mother tongue at interview or in assessment centres, and are appraised by people of the same language, wherever possible.

It acknowledges the linguistic and cultural diversity of the Agency and makes the most of the resultant added value. The SDC is aware of the differences generated by this diversity and deliberately creates opportunities for fostering intercultural communication and discussion between the linguistic communities, as well as attaching great importance to intercultural skills among its staff.

Given its international orientation and its development cooperation remit, the SDC always takes a broader view of multilinguism and multiculturalism. It therefore includes English, Spanish, and Portuguese – to name but a few examples – among its working languages, alongside Switzerland’s national languages.

Objectives for 2008 – 2011

Implementing appropriate representation of all linguistic communities In executive positions and key processes In the management development process and in the Junior Professional Officer Programme At opinion-shaping events and courses Fostering institutional and individual multilinguism Publication of information for staff and directives in the three official languages Publication of texts intended for the general public in Switzerland in the three official languages Organizing of Italian, French and German conversation classes for SDC staff Including cultural diversity and strengthening intercultural skills Holding of events in connection with International Mother Language Day (21 February, UNESCO) and the European Day of Languages (26 September, Council of Europe), panel discussions Building the handling of cultural diversity into its executive development and management culture

The duties of the SDC’s Delegate for Multilinguism include information and awareness-raising activities.