About Terre Des Hommes

Terre des Hommes envisions a world where all children enjoy the rights granted to them by the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, and where they take an active role in their own development.

The Terre des Hommes International Federation strives to make this vision a reality by actively supporting children without racial, religious, political, cultural or gender-based discrimination. We directly support children in the field and take their voices and concerns to the world leaders, governments and global institutions who can make a difference.

Since its creation, Terre des Hommes has helped millions of children enjoy their fundamental rights and live a happy, fulfilling life. We have provided children around the world with healthcare, education and an improved quality of life, while offering protection from abuse, exploitation, violence and discrimination. Terre des Hommes has empowered children to reach their full potential, and has fought to protect and promote the rights of children and young people worldwide.

Terre des Hommes develops and implements field programmes supported by advocacy work for and with children. We campaign for the rights of children, motivate politicians to support these rights, and lobby for appropriate government policies.

The Terre des Hommes movement started in Switzerland in 1960 and subsequently expanded to other countries. In 1966, the Terre des Hommes International Federation was formed and is now a network of national organisations with headquarters in Canada, Denmark, France, Germany, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Spain, and Switzerland (where we have two organisations – Terre des Hommes Switzerland and the Terre des Hommes Foundation in Lausanne).

Standards and accountability

Terre des Hommes is accountable to children, donors and other stakeholders for delivering quality work and monitoring its impact, for ensuring that funds are spent in an efficient way in line with human rights standards, and for providing accurate information on situations on the ground. In 2013, the International Secretariat signed up to the Accountable Now global standard for CSO accountability, which is monitored by a high-level panel of independent experts. It submitted its second accountability report in 2016.

Terre des Hommes pays special attention to guaranteeing the maximum protection of children with whom it comes into contact, and has been awarded Level 1 certification for safeguarding children, following an assessment by the Keeping Children Safe network. In 2016, Terre des Hommes managed 10 new complaints brought by children alleging these safeguarding commitments were not met. All cases were closely followed while prioritising the child’s best interests and well-being.