TDH Globally

Girl, in a refugee camp in Greece
Terre des hommes in the world

Terre des hommes (Tdh) is the leading Swiss organisation for children’s aid. Through our health, protection and emergency relief programmes, we provide assistance to over four million children and their families in around 40 countries each year.

Our vision

We aspire to a world in which the rights of children, as defined in the Convention on the Rights of the Child, are always respected. A world in which children can thrive in safe environments and become the agents of change they wish to see in their lives.

Our mission

Terre des hommes, founded in 1960, is an independent, neutral and impartial Swiss organisation committed to bringing meaningful and lasting change to the lives of children and youth, especially to those most exposed to risks. We strive to improve their well-being and ensure the effective application of their rights as defined by the Convention on the Rights of the Child and other relevant human rights instruments. To make a difference, we focus on the areas of maternal and child health, children and youth migration, and access to justice. We aim to empower children and youth through active participation. We advocate for the respect of children’s rights, supporting them in voicing their needs and interests. We work in fragile and conflict-affected settings, as well as in stable environments.

Our principles of action

  • We act in the best interests of the child, based on the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child and other relevant human rights instruments.
  • We foster local partners’ ownership of projects and actions, reinforce local systems to support and enable various national and local stakeholders to provide expertise and best practices
  • We implement humanitarian, development, and peacebuilding activities.
  • We partner with other organisations to advocate for the respect of children’s rights.
  • We strive for sustainable change in all our actions and programs by creating a positive impact.
Values
PARTICIPATION AND EMPOWERMENT
  • We promote and enhance participation and empowerment.
  • We create the space for active participation and embrace inputs from others
  • We are sensitive about others’ needs to influence.
  • We share and delegate power and responsibilities.

 

PARTNERSHIP AND COLLABORATION
  • We trust the capacities of our key actors as primary responders and agents of change. We build on their strengths and on their needs.
  • We champion co-creation and value complementarity.
  • We appreciate other points of view and seek collectively for pragmatic and innovative solutions.
  • We manifest humility, respect, fairness and see others as equal partners.


 

INNOVATION AND LEARNING
  • We promote a culture of innovation.
  • We value curiosity, welcome new initiatives, and foster creativity.
  • We embrace voluntary learning and are ready for trial and error.
  • We foster knowledge sharing, learning and strive for sustainability.

 

DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION
  • We celebrate Diversity and Inclusion of people.
  • We genuinely commit to diversity and inclusion and see it as a wealth in all our activities.
  • We understand the cultural contexts and value differences.
  • We are truly committed to an equal treatment.
GOVERNANCE
  • We thrive to offer our best, we think ahead, and are ready and willing to go the extra mile for the wellbeing of children.
  • We provide quality programming and support. We are accountable and transparent. We use power responsibly.
  • We position ourselves through our expertise and savoir-faire.
  • We advocate for the rights of children whenever possible and seek actively opportunities to do so.