The Swiss development policy is based on the principle of solidarity among nations and people. Concretely it is expressed through grants or preferential terms allocated to the partner. On May 17, 1992, Switzerland joined the Bretton Woods Institutions, not without raising a lively debate on the role of the BWI. The Swiss Coalition of Development Organizations has supported the membership, on some conditions. One of the conditions was the establishment of a special BWI Committee – to which the Swiss Coalition is actively participating – which not only advises the Swiss authorities on BWI matters but also monitors the Swiss position before the respective Boards. The Swiss Coalition thus beneficiates of confidential lMF and World Bank documents on which it can comment. Its statements, drawn up by the Swiss Coalition and its member organizations, are handed to the Swiss Government, representing a link between micro and macro issues. Whereas the World Bank is starting structural and political reforms, similar steps have yet to be taken in the IMF. Therefore, the Swiss Coalition suggests to focus more on the IMF and its Art. IV Consultation.
