How Terre des Hommes works
How Terre des Hommes works to achieve the goal of "a good life for all".
A good life for all requires the commitment of everyone!
That's why Terre des Hommes works together with partner organizations and especially with young people. We discuss things as equals and want to learn and achieve something together.
We are guided by the following principles:
Our approach
Terre des Hommes pursues a specific approach in its work, the core principles of which are based on the classic "three-pronged approach to children's rights"—project work, advocacy, and information dissemination—and place the participation of children and young people, as well as the integration of local solutions, at the heart of its actions.
Advocacy and lobbying, particularly with politically relevant actors and the (national and international) private sector, is a crucial instrument for driving the necessary structural change.
' actions Terre des Hommes are always guided by scientific facts, democratic principles, and children's and human rights.
Terre des Hommes aims to work with children and young people at various levels to sustainably combat the root causes of child rights violations. The foundation of all our actions is the well-being and interests of children and young people, as well as the fundamental principles of the Convention on the Rights of the Child: protection, prevention, and participation. At Terre des Hommes participation is central. Children and young people must be more involved in political decisions than before. This requires binding regulations. Ideally, we initiate steps toward change together with children and young people to dismantle destructive and discriminatory structures.
Terre des Hommes has limited resources. To be effective, it must focus its work. Therefore, its public relations and advocacy efforts must be integrated with the strategic goals of its international programs and campaigns to form a coherent whole.
Collaboration with partners
Terre des Hommes has been committed to partnership and localization approaches and aligns its project activities accordingly.
Terre des Hommes identifies specific problems that negatively impact the rights of children and young people. Together, these stakeholders develop appropriate local solutions to address these local challenges. Alternative development models and strategies discussed can provide inspiration for these local solutions.
Local approaches should be valued and continuously, transparently, and collaboratively developed with partner organizations. Terre des Hommes highly respects this stance, which must be reflected in its internal and external communication.
Terre des Hommes supports partner organizations in their efforts to combat destructive social structures and advocate for equal participation for all and a truly inclusive civil society.
implements these efforts Terre des Hommes internally, calling on both its full-time staff and its members to participate.
Moving forward together
Terre des Hommes aims to be a "learning organization," a place for exchange between volunteers, staff, and project partners. Terre des Hommes will broadly discuss the need for sustainable global change, potential solutions, and alternative approaches—within the organization, with staff, and on partner platforms. This will involve including other stakeholders from academia and practice, both within the respective region and across regions. The goal of these discussions is to reach a shared understanding of the necessary political, economic, and social frameworks, as well as the programmatic implications for Terre des Hommes and its project partners.
The formats for exchange and participation – such as the delegates' conference, the partner platforms or the international youth network – are continuously being further developed jointly.
Terre des Hommes recognizes the heterogeneity of its stakeholders, including full-time staff, members, and partners, and understands this not as contradictory, but as complementary. This diversity is an opportunity. Terre des Hommes will address different roles, structural limitations, and conflicting goals transparently.
Acting in alliances
Terre Des Hommes cannot achieve many of its goals alone, but must operate within an internationally networked structure with its established multilateral partner network, other member organizations of the international federation Terre Des Hommes , and in alliances with other national and international non-governmental organizations. Terre Des Hommes can thus form the bridge between academic discourse and practical steps toward a sustainable future on the ground. This strength must be further developed.