Switzerland’s international solidarity was up for debate during the referendum campaign for the Responsible Business Initiative. terre des hommes schweiz campaigned for a YES to the referendum, which enjoys unique and broad support. The Managing Director of terre des hommes schweiz, Franziska Lauper, argues in her position paper why standing up for the poorest and most vulnerable is a quintessentially Swiss virtue.
Last November, we were finally able to vote on the Responsible Business Initiative. Both sides fought hard for votes and nerves were frayed at times.
It has been a long time since an issue of international solidarity has attracted so much public attention in Switzerland. It is unique that a narrow majority of voters spoke out in favor of improving human rights and respecting international environmental standards in developing countries – the bill ultimately failed only because of a majority of the cantons.
It is extremely remarkable that a broad network of organizations from church and trade union circles, internationally active aid organizations and the private sector have credibly contributed to the political debate. Tens of thousands of volunteers in around 450 local groups have worked tirelessly for the cause. That is democracy in action!
Already in the hot phase of the referendum campaign and now in the aftermath of the vote, the role of internationally active aid organizations is primarily being called into question by actors from politics, business and their lobbying organizations. Several parliamentary initiatives are pending. In future, aid organizations should not comment on political issues in Switzerland and should restrict themselves to their “actual” field of activity, i.e. project work in developing countries.
Politically, these attacks are quite transparent. They are aimed at the credibility of the aid organizations and their broad support among the population. Wanting to eliminate these voices is highly questionable from a democratic point of view! Fortunately, the initiatives are unlikely to be successful. They offer us another opportunity to ensure that our way of working is recognized by the public.
Awareness-raising and information work and the inclusion of the interests of the poorest and most vulnerable people in the political debate in Switzerland have always been firmly anchored in the association statutes of terre des hommes schweiz, as has the support of projects in selected countries in Africa and Latin America. This has been a broad consensus since the adoption of the 2030 Agenda in 2015 at the latest.
If we are to achieve the 17 Sustainable Development Goals by 2030, we need everyone to join forces – especially in Switzerland, which should play a pioneering role in terms of international human rights and environmental standards.
Franziska Lauper, Managing Director terre des hommes switzerland
