Summarized: Delegates' Conference

In 2000, the General Assembly of terre des hommes Germany decided to share its decision taking powers with a wider group of stakeholders, establishing the Delegates Conference as decision taking body. In the Delegates' Conference, elected representatives of the project partner organisations worldwide, the International Youth Network of terre des hommes, and staff meet. Jointly they decide on the Strategy of international programme and project work of terre des hommes Germany for the coming five years. Proposals are developed jointly by the stakeholders before the Delegates' Conference, in the co-decision process. It is not only a consultation process, but a co-decision process as all delegates have equal voting powers.

Why does terre des hommes have a co-decision process?

Idealistic dimension

Foster the idea of a real cooperation instead of a mere North-South resource transfer
Idea of decolonising aid
Counterweight against the power imbalance inheriting the donor-recipient relation
Avoid paternalism
Legitimacy

Practical dimension

Include knowledge and competences of stakeholder through exchange
Strengthen accountability to stakeholders by participating them into decisions
Stronger engagement by all stakeholders (staff of terre des hommes, volunteers, partners, youth network), if participated in decisions
Assure relevance of organisational goals of terre des hommes in different regions and stakeholder groups
Link local and global discussions

What may the Delegates' Conference decide on?

Strategic Goals: Focus of programme work for the next five years. Which areas do we want to stress in the next years?
Focal Themes: New and/or experimental topics. In which new areas do we want to develop further?
International Campaigns: Joint international lobby and public relations work by all stakeholders on one topic.
Resolutions: Political declarations by the Delegates' Conference.

All decisions are taken for a period of five years