In the 1960s, “experts” and cows were still being sent to Rwanda. Today, however, being geared towards local needs is part of the self-concept of international cooperation (IC). We firmly believe that local actors must take the lead in IC to ensure that actions are just, effective, and sustainable. Yet many stumbling blocks remain. Together, more than 40 Swiss NGOs have therefore drawn up a manifesto. It is a call to joint action in pursuit of equitable partnerships. The manifesto is at the same time also a response to the growing power of authoritarian forces that are deliberately undermining human rights, restricting the room for manoeuvre of civil society and weakening the foundations of multilateralism. This makes it all the more important for today’s international cooperation to centre on the world’s most vulnerable.
