A call for solidarity with young people in the Global South, a successful 2019 marked by civil society awakenings worldwide and a balanced annual financial statement. While terre des hommes schweiz provides extraordinary coronavirus aid for young people in Africa and Latin America, the Annual General Meeting of the Swiss development organization shows that 60 years after it was founded in Basel, terre des hommes schweiz remains on course.
“Right now, our solidarity with young people in the Global South is particularly important. Their innovative strength and commitment to civil society will be key to overcoming the consequences of the pandemic.” These are the words of Franziska Lauper, Managing Director of terre des hommes schweiz, and Brigitta Gerber, President, in their joint foreword to the 2019 annual report of the Swiss aid organization, which was founded 60 years ago in Basel by people committed to development policy.
Corona emergency aid and the core business
While the Federal Council is gradually relaxing emergency legislation in light of Covid-19 and the consequences of the pandemic for the Swiss economy and workplace are shaping the public debate, terre des hommes schweiz is providing extraordinary help for and with young people in Africa and Latin America during the coronavirus crisis. At the same time, they are sticking to their proven core business, Lauper and Gerber state in the foreword to the 2019 annual report: “Together with our local partners, we are empowering young people and communities who are holding their own under the most difficult living conditions.”
Annual financial statements balanced
The 2019 annual report clearly shows what the core business of terre des hommes schweiz actually means and what the non-profit organization achieved for young people in Africa, Latin America and Switzerland in the past year. At the Annual General Meeting (AGM) of terre des hommes schweiz, which took place online on May 26, 2020 under the chairmanship of President Brigitta Gerber, the annual report and the audited detailed financial statements for 2019 were unanimously approved. Despite the highly competitive donations market, terre des hommes schweiz was able to present a balanced account for 2019. With income of around CHF 9.5 million, the annual result shows a slight plus of CHF 119,300. Last year, terre des hommes schweiz generated around 50% of its income from donations and sponsorships, while SDC programme contributions amounted to a good quarter of total income in 2019, or CHF 2.43 million.
New on the Executive Board
At the AGM, terre des hommes schweiz announced a change to the association’s board: Andrea Seiberth, an agronomist from Gelterkinden BL, is replacing Zeynep Yerdelen, who has been involved since 2003. The following people are currently on the strategic committee of terre des hommes schweiz: Dr. Brigitta Gerber, ethnologist and historian, Basel; Margo Carlen, finance and project manager, Basel; Jan Goepfert, lawyer and historian, Basel; Marianne Gujer, ethnologist, Basel; Anastasia Planta, lawyer and psychologist, Basel; Jürg Schönenberger, typographic designer, Zurich; Andrea Seiberth, agronomist, Gelterkinden; Sandra Soland, historian, Basel.
Annual report and accounts 2019
News about Corona here and in the magazine
Contact media office: Anna Wegelin, +41 76 588 30 06, anna.wegelin(at)terredeshommes.ch
