Following the economic crisis and the suppression of many jobs worldwide, it is difficult to address the issue of labour shortage. In Switzerland, the lack of workers was very evident before the crisis and will continue to be problematic for the country’s social welfare system for decades to come. Indeed, each economic sector will be affected by the potential threat of a shortage of workers. To fill this gap, Swiss organizations are primarily hiring workers from the European Union (EU). Due to the shrinking size of the Swiss population, less people will attend professional schools in the future and the ageing of the population will impact the demand for semi-skilled workers and the whole economy. 

The 2010 World Investment Report " focuses focuses on trends in foreign direct investment (FDI) worldwide, at the regional and country levels and emerging measures to improve its contribution to development. The year's report, titled "Investing in a Low-Carbon Economy", discusses the opportunities and threats for developing countries in the transition to a low-carbon economy, and considers how foreign investment and transnational corporations can be leveraged in supporting this process.

According to a review of Bolivia's energy sector conducted last year by the Centre for Socio Eco-Nomic Development (CSEND), the most significant subsidies are centred on the country's hydrocarbon resources. The research concluded that subsidies are an inefficient way for Bolivians to benefit from the profits of hydrocarbon exploitation.

This Diplomacy Dialogue policy paper discusses the economic, social and political outlook of one of the poorest Latin American countries: Bolivia. It focuses on the country’s trade, energy and environment spheres, emphasizing conditions and future challenges to be faced. For this purpose, Bolivia’s strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats are analyzed in each sphere, followed by recommendations. The study closes with a three-legged plan of action offering policy alternatives on a global, regional and local level, which may provide Bolivia with strategies for achieving greater development and growth through economically, socially and environmentally sustainable actions.