Our name, " Terre des Hommes ," stands for "Earth of Humanity." Climate change, child labor, war, and displacement—we empower children and young people and protect them from violence and exploitation through our projects. We provide humanitarian aid and improve the living conditions of children worldwide. What is particularly important to us is that we work with partner organizations on the ground and, together with children, enforce their rights.
As a children's rights organization, we are independent of governments, businesses, religious communities, and political parties. We support 416 projects for children and young people in 47 countries. Terre des Hommes has around 1,500 members in Germany and numerous volunteers who are active in approximately 80 locations advocating for children's rights. Our international youth network has 6,000 young people working for children's rights.
Our mission
Every child counts! Together with children, we enforce their rights worldwide. Climate change, child labor, war and displacement – we empower children and young people and, together with them, initiate change locally and globally.
Our approach
- In solidarity : Through solidarity, commitment, and financial support from individuals and institutions, we have been empowering children and young people since 1967, with the goal of a more humane Earth. We stand firmly alongside social movements worldwide.
- In partnership : Together with partner organizations worldwide, we work towards a future worth living in, free from poverty, discrimination and violence, and provide humanitarian aid in wars and after natural disasters.
- Participatory : Children and young people, project partners, members and staff worldwide decide together on the strategic direction of Terre des Hommes .
- Sustainable : We support projects to protect and permanently improve the living conditions of children.
- Self-efficacy : We empower children and young people in their right to participation and support them in standing up for their own rights. It is particularly important to us to amplify the voices of children and young people who are discriminated against and marginalized.
- Critical : Through public relations and campaigns, we sharpen the critical focus on global injustices and influence politics, business, and society. We are independent of political parties, corporations, and religious communities.
- Networked : As a member-based children's rights organization, we are part of a global civil society movement for a healthy environment, justice, peace and human rights.
Terre des Hommes Germany is a development-oriented children's aid organization committed to creating a future for children in a just and peaceful world, both for children living today and for future generations. The fundamental principles of human rights, tolerance, and equality for all people, regardless of origin, legal status, gender, religion, or sexual orientation, form the basis of its work. Terre des Hommes is independent of governments, corporations, religious communities, and political parties. Terre des Hommes strives for a world in which all children are guaranteed survival, no child is exploited, all children have access to education and development opportunities, children's rights are realized, economic and social justice and peace prevail, and conflicts are resolved non-violently. Terre des Hommes Germany sees itself as a grassroots initiative and seeks people in both the Global South and the Global North who want to work together with Terre des Hommes to realize this vision.
The statutes are available for download (pdf)The Delegates' Conference is one of Terre des Hommes . Every five years, project partners, youth delegates, volunteer members, and staff come together to define the goals that guide our entire work for the following five years.
These so -called strategic goals describe in which areas and fields of work we bundle our forces to fulfill the order of our organization: to enforce their rights worldwide together with children.
Our strategic goalsDownloads
How does the organization Terre des Hommes work?
Terre des Hommes Germany e.V. is an international children's rights organization and sees itself as a citizens' initiative – independent of governments, businesses, religious communities, and political parties. Terre des Hommes is a registered association.
Terre des Hommes members meet annually for their General Assembly, the organization's highest governing body. Every three years, the General Assembly elects the Presidential Board , and every two years it elects auditors.
Terre des Hommes takes place every five years . It decides on the strategic goals for international program work . The Delegates' Conference is composed of representatives from partner organizations and the international youth network, members, and full-time staff.
The Presidential Board is a voluntary body and functions as a supervisory board. It decides on the strategic direction and business policy of Terre des Hommes and oversees the work of the Executive Board. The Presidential Board of Terre des Hommes
The volunteer auditors are elected by the Terre des Hommes general assembly. On behalf of the organization, they annually review the use of donations and the financial management to ensure compliance with legal requirements and the organization's statutes, and that income and expenses are properly justified and documented. They also review the work of the Presidential Board , the Executive Board, and the entire full-time staff.
The full-time board manages the affairs of the association. It heads the office in Germany and the international offices and is responsible for implementing the strategic direction and business policy. The board consists of three members, each with departmental responsibility. The spokesperson represents Terre des Hommes in public. Board of Directors of Terre des Hommes
Terre des Hommes is divided into three areas. The program area coordinates international project work and includes the international regional offices in the program regions. The communications area is responsible for political work, media and public relations, fundraising, and supporting volunteer engagement. Finance, administration, and human resources are handled by the business administration, controlling, human resources, and internal services department. The national headquarters is located in Osnabrück, and there is also an office in Berlin.
The structure of Terre des Hommes
Child protection at Terre des Hommes
For Terre des Hommes upholding the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child is an integral part of its work. Terre des Hommes is therefore committed to being vigilant against all forms of violence against children, even within its own work context.
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