Objectives > 8.1 Switzerland will maintain an ideally-positioned external network as a basis for its foreign policy. It will regularly review the locations and tasks of the 170 or so representations. Cooperation with all stakeholders, whether from the fields of culture, business, science or other areas, will be systematically promoted within the external network in line with the ‘One Switzerland’ approach. > 8.2 The federal government will ensure its staff represent a good cross-section of Swiss society at all hierarchical levels. Flexible working models and a worklife balance will be supported, and staff will receive regular further training. The permeability between different career paths will be improved. > 8.3 Switzerland will promote the concept of ‘sustainable representations’. The Federal Council is committed to reducing carbon emissions through increased use of videoconferencing, a well-established external network and cutting back on the number of flights. The Federal Council will also promote its environmental goals in its foreign policy, and will consider its environmental footprint. > 8.4 The FDFA’s Crisis Management Centre will strengthen its crisis management capacity and security culture on an ongoing basis, with a focus also on staff training. The safety and security of representations will be regularly reviewed and supported by new technologies. In particularly difficult situations, safety and security experts will be deployed. > 8.5 As an important location for science and innovation, Switzerland will maintain a range of services alone or with partners that systematically makes use of the opportunities of digitalisation. The range of online and mobile consular services will be continuously expanded. Secure and reliable electronic identification of customers will be key. Switzerland will organise its consular services so that the service provided to the public is also customer friendly when a digital solution is not suitable. Resources 35