Helvetas- Swiss Association for International Cooperation

Fundamental Values, Vision and Mission of Helvetas

In the continuously changing environment as described above, Helvetas as a development organisation adopts a clear basic attitude (fundamental values). It works towards an easily understood and concrete long-term goal (vision). Helvetas determines the approach and the means by which it strives for this goal (mission).

Helvetas is an autonomous organisation. It is politically and denominationally independent and is supported by its members, sympathisers and sponsors. Helvetas adheres to the following fundamental values:

– Helvetas acts on the basis of human rights: Helvetas orients all its activities towards human rights and makes every effort that these are also respected by its partner organisations and within their environment. Helvetas promotes equality between men and women. – Helvetas is active in a global, intercultural and inter-religious manner: In principle, Helvetas works in a cross-border way. However, it must concentrate on specific countries and working areas in view of its limited re-sources and capacities. – Helvetas makes great demands on itself with regard to accountability, transparency, quality and efficiency: Helvetas acts according to the principles of Good Governance and also supports its partners in adhering to these. – Helvetas respects the independence of its partners and other actors and conversely expects respect for its own fundamental values.

Helvetas has the vision of

– a just society which ensures that the basic needs of all people are met and that they can live a life in dignity and peace. – a society which grants everyone, both women and men, the right of self-determination and enables them to participate in shaping their social and political environment. – a personkind which manages its natural resources in a sustainable man-ner. – organisations and institutions in which the principles of transparency, accountability, quality and efficiency are established.

For its work abroad, Helvetas’ mission is

– to cooperate on a partnership basis with and in favour of the poor and disadvantaged groups in the poorer regions of developing and transition countries. – to share knowledge and experiences between Switzerland and the partner countries as well as to further promote mutual exchanges between the part-ner countries. – to strengthen local structures and sustainable development as well as to ensure that human rights are respected and enforced. – to develop suitable measures which prevent or mitigate violent conflicts and contribute to mutually agreed and sustainable resolutions.

For its engagement in Switzerland, Helvetas’ mission is

– to make the population in Switzerland sensitive to the situation of the people in developing and transition countries and to motivate them to contribute to the improvement of the living conditions in these countries. – to raise funds required for the realisation of the Helvetas mission in Switzerland and overseas.