Population development 2015–60 Percentage Less than 0 0 to less than 50 50 to less than 100 100 to less than 150 150 and over • Thirdly, Switzerland could help to boost the effectiveness of development cooperation by means of new technologies. For example, artificial intelligence (AI) could improve the early detection of negative trends and thus strengthen prevention. Switzerland could help developing countries to harness the opportunities offered by the digital transformation while reducing the associated risks (see section 3.5). Focus on tackling causes in Swiss foreign policy on migration Switzerland needs safe and regular labour migration to maintain its prosperity. However, it also has every interest in preventing irregular migration. This can only be achieved through multilateral efforts and bilateral engagement. The strategic linking of development cooperation and migration policy should be put into practice systematically. Switzerland will remain true to its development approach. While many countries, under heavy political pressure, are opting to channel their development funds into short-term security solutions designed to tackle unwanted immigration, Switzerland should continue to pursue a foreign policy on migration that is both holistic in its impact and geared towards the long term. Within this context, Switzerland should invest even more heavily in addressing the causes of migration as a means of preventing it. First and foremost, this means working in regions of origin to improve the economic, social and political prospects of people there. Protecting and looking after refugees and migrants in the places where they are should be a priority. Where there is no foreseeable Source: Berlin Institute for Population and Development Based on data from: UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs prospect of return, Switzerland should promote the economic self-reliance of people in countries of first refuge. It can assist displaced persons with repatriation and help them to rebuild their lives after returning to their countries of origin, as well as helping countries of origin and transit to put in place migration policies. Bilateral migration partnerships should be expanded. A key factor in foreign policy on migration is demographics. In Africa, lowering the birth rate is vital to secure significantly greater prosperity for the population. Among other things, this requires specific preventive education to improve family planning and an overall rise in education levels for the entire population. The current literacy rate is stagnating at just over 60%. Forge close links between development cooperation and humanitarian aid Humanitarian aid plays a key role in ensuring the stability needed to create prospects for displaced persons in the places where they find themselves, usually regions of countries of first refuge which adjoin the crisis-hit areas. Development cooperation and humanitarian aid must engage with each other more closely and on a continuous basis. In protracted crises, it becomes impossible to divide up the needs of the population according to different international cooperation instruments. An integrated approach is needed, aimed at freeing people from their dependence on emergency relief. Humanitarian aid can help to create better long-term prospects for the population so that they no longer have to rely on emergency relief. Conversely, development cooperation, which 2028 Foreign Policy Vision 30