The challenges are real and affect us all. Droughts, floods, and other climate-related disasters are on the rise and are currently affecting people in Africa, Asia, and Central and South America. And, with increasing frequency, they are affecting us as well. Wars and violence traumatize entire generations, and their social, political, and economic consequences extend far beyond the conflict zones and reach all the way to Switzerland. Millions of women, men, and children are fleeing hunger, hardship, and violence—a reality that also causes uncertainty here at home.

At the same time, the foundations of a peaceful and just world are coming under increasing pressure: the rule of law, human rights, and democratic values. More and more often, the law of the strongest prevails, and finding solutions together is becoming more difficult.

Those who work in fragile contexts do so amid uncertainty. Political instability, changing conditions, cultural misunderstandings, and logistical hurdles characterize such an environment. Misjudgments are not the exception here, but rather an integral part of the work. A project that looks promising on paper can fail on the ground due to unexpected factors.

This is not an excuse for negligence, but a realistic starting point. Anyone who pretends that everything always goes according to plan loses credibility. Mistakes aren’t the problem—they only become problematic when they’re concealed or glossed over instead of being used as learning opportunities.

Ten years later, the work of the «Miss Stone Center» had gained recognition—and there were already well over 100 people receiving a hot meal delivered to their homes five times a week. Today, 25 years after the first hot meal was delivered, 220 people are being served by «Meals on Wheels.».

For us, the preservation of creation and the protection of human dignity are inextricably linked. Those who destroy the environment rob the most vulnerable of their means of survival. Those who trample on human rights undermine our work.

That is why we support the Responsible Business Initiative: because it finally establishes clear rules that prevent Swiss corporations from causing harm abroad—and because it enables us not only to mitigate harm, but to truly protect people. We are signing the open letter because we are taking responsibility—for people, for creation, and for a more just world.

One face after the other appears; you can't hear some people, you can't see others - the internet connection is not stable everywhere. Blanchard Ayinza Boke uses the time until everyone is ready: «Rose, how are things with you in Uvira?» Rose Nabintu, coordinator of the peacebuilding project, smiles. «Good, we're here. We are still here, thanks to God's grace». Uvira was occupied by M23 rebels in December. Rose Nabintu had spontaneously taken in 15 women. Another participant, Marie-Claire Manafundu, also works in the crisis region of eastern Congo. She runs a literacy project for women. Placide Ndjekambodi runs a vocational training project for vulnerable young people and women in Kinshasa and the environment of the other three participants is also very challenging.

Local self-determination not only ensures greater impact, but also strengthens the resilience of communities, especially against the backdrop of increasing global challenges. However, there are many barriers to implementing projects and programs that are aligned with the needs and challenges of local communities. Rigid guidelines from donors can prevent local partners from being supported flexibly and efficiently. Or fundraising and communication strategies can contradict the ethical principles of a partnership of equals. This manifesto is therefore both a guideline for the working methods of Swiss NGOs and a call to donors to design their framework conditions in such a way that locally anchored IC is possible.

A home care service employee also regularly visits and accompanies 30 people who are severely restricted in their mobility due to their age or health problems. In addition, several dozen people receive practical support as part of individual social assistance—firewood, for example, medication, or hygiene products.

In this district, Connexio develop has been supporting a project run by the Methodist Church to promote literacy and vocational training for women for a few years now. Thanks to this existing cooperation based on trust, Connexio was able to respond quickly. Under the leadership of local project coordinator Placide Ndjekambodi, an efficient aid package was put together to reach 100 particularly affected households. Aid packages containing basic foodstuffs (rice, maize grits, vegetable oil, beans and sugar), hygiene products (soap, disinfectant and special hygiene products for women) and clothing (from clothing donations) were distributed. This was a great relief for the people who had nothing left but what they had on them.

First: I am reporting here as a Methodist, sociologist, and pastor of the Methodist Church in Chile. The current situation in Chile is marked by uncertainty due to political polarization. The counter-information from the extreme right is most striking. It supports a candidate who is directly associated with neoliberal practices and capitalism. In addition, he displays socio-cultural attitudes that have led to the invisibility of human rights, not only in the present day, but also during the military dictatorship in Chile. It is incomprehensible how the people can vote for a fascist candidate. But the answer is simple: counter-information, disinformation, and poor political practices have led him to maintain a public agenda with elements that were lightweight and like a house of cards that collapsed. Yet the candidate has not improved anything, let alone acknowledged the obvious progress made by the government of current President Bóric.

I come from a family of very strong women who taught me from childhood to fight and raise my voice. I reject violence, discrimination, exploitation, racism, and machismo. I believe in children, women, people with disabilities, older people, migrants, and indigenous peoples. I believe in equality, justice, solidarity, and respect. I fight for these things so that the world will be a better place for those who follow in our footsteps. I am a dreamer, persistent and creative. But I also have the courage to fight for what is right. And I have learned to paint a smile of hope in the most desolate places.