Together with more than 30 Swiss civil society organizations, terre des hommes schweiz is calling on the members of the National Council and the Council of States not to make savings at the expense of the poorest, but to use 0.7 percent of our national income for public development cooperation. The “Wake-up call against hunger and poverty” is supported by more than three dozen prominent first signatories from the worlds of politics, business, science, the church, sport, culture and entertainment.
On March 22, 2016, the Finance Committee of the National Council decided to cut public development aid (ODA) to 0.4 percent of gross national income. This would mean that at least a quarter of Switzerland’s long-term development cooperation (DC) would have to be cut and successful development work would be wiped out. In the fall of 2015, the Federal Council reiterated that Switzerland also wanted to achieve the international target of 0.7 percent.
Maintain commitment to a life in security, freedom and dignity
In order to counter the impending slashing of development cooperation, 30 NGOs today launched the “Wake-up call against hunger and poverty”. The wake-up call is aimed at members of the National Council and Council of States who will be deciding on the future of Swiss development cooperation in the coming weeks. The NGOs are calling on Switzerland not only to be present in times of acute need, but also to commit itself to building just societies and the rule of law in accordance with our humanitarian tradition and to promote global efforts for a life in security, freedom and dignity. The wake-up call is supported by over three dozen prominent initial signatories, whose statements underline the urgency of the wake-up call.
Sign the wake-up call against hunger and poverty here. Share this video with your family and friends by clicking on the curved arrow in the top right-hand corner of the video.
Further information:
Daniel Hitzig, Media and Communication Alliance Sud, Tel. 079 238 39 31
Isolda Agazzi, Alliance Sud, Bureau Lausanne, Tel. 079 434 45 60
Lavinia Sommaruga, Alliance Sud, Ufficio Lugano, Tel. 079 659 67 77
Detailed written information on development cooperation as well as the list of all first signatories and all organizations supporting the wake-up call can be found on the “wake-up call website”.
