In offering assistance with conflict resolution and peace building, the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA) emphasizes the following aspects:

• Power sharing, democratization, reform of the security sector, election management
• Protection and advancement of human rights and humanitarian international law
• The reconciliation process
• Religion, politics and conflict
• Combating landmines and the illegal spread of small arms

As well as work in individual conflict regions (e.g. the Balkans, the Middle East, Sudan, the Great Lakes region, Tajikistan, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Indonesia/Aceh, Colombia and Guatemala), the FDFA assists the political development process at an international level in these areas. In this activity multilateral engagement, especially with the United Nations (UNO), and collaboration with non-governmental organizations (NGOs) play an important role.

Swiss peace-building activities include diplomatic initiatives (the Human Security Network, the Small Arms Survey, economic development through the prevention of armed violence, the UN resolution on justice in transition processes) and strategic partnerships. A strategic partnership is a structured collaboration with selected partner institutions, which have specific powers and opportunities for political influence in the field of civilian peace building.