Extract from the Position Paper

WSSD 2002 - 9 -Positionen der Schweiz Erarbeitungsstand 22. März 2002c) Political support, legislation and administrative instrumentsBasic political decisions and laws can provide frameworks that have a decisive influence infostering sustainable development in mountain regions.Switzerland supports political processes of negotiation as well as legal frameworks (such asnational policies on mountain regions or spatial development policies) and laws (e.g. to promoteinvestment) that would help to strengthen the political and economic power of mountain regions ina national context. Switzerland is also committed to adequate implementation, for instance byassisting in institution building to promote these measures.Switzerland believes that the development and implementation of new forms of politicalparticipation at the community level are especially important. This should include decentralisation,transparency, and more active involvement by people at the local level.d) Institutional capacity, education and trainingInstitutional capacity and human capital are the core elements of development in resource-poorareas such as mountain regions.Switzerland continues to support institutions concerned with international mountain development(specific international and regional organisations, development cooperation projects, and mountainpartnerships in the framework of the National Centre of Competence in Research North-South andthe Swiss National Research Programme on Landscape and Habitats in the Alps). Switzerlandalso calls upon other countries to become more active in supporting such institutions.Together with like-minded partners, Switzerland strives to develop and support institutions in themountains such as universities and vocational schools that engage in research, teaching andabove all implementation of innovations adapted to mountain regions. Support for boarding schoolsthat have an international reputation, such as those that have long existed in Switzerland, is afurther option.e) Information systems and exchange of information on mountain issuesSwitzerland supports exchanges of information on mountain issues at the regional, national andinternational levels concerned with policy, administration and economic issues as well as scienceand technology. It encourages both institutions and individuals in these areas to make theirexperience accessible and supports them in their efforts to do this. Switzerland also supportsinstitutions that are capable of coordinating these exchanges of experience and compiling globallycoordinated databanks on mountain-related topics, such as the glacier inventory which providesdata that give early warning about negative environmental trends at the global level.f) Involving the private sector in mountain developmentImportant stakeholders such as the business community (trade, industry, mining, hydroelectricity,mass tourism and additional services such as banking and credit services) are rarely if everrepresented in existing (international) networks concerned with mountain issues.Switzerland would welcome the opportunity to join like-minded partners at the international andregional levels in encouraging initiatives that are open to these stakeholders, make them aware ofmountain development issues, and mobilise their support. Local and regional business forums andcouncils such as a World Business Council for Sustainable Mountain Development, in which thetourist industry and other financially influential sectors of the business community could take part,