Mission Statement

Observing. Analysing. Acting.

We actively promote North-South equity and the preservation of livelihoods. We observe, analyse and act. In doing so, we focus on the politics and economics of the North with their worldwide consequences. The situation of marginalised people in the South is the starting point of our work. Together with our members and supporters as well as with other actors in civil society we intend to represent a strong lobby for sustainable development.

We actively promote North-South equity and the preservation of livelihoods.

We are an independent development and environmental organisation which lobbies for sustainable global development. For us, sustainable development means socially equitable, ecologically sound and economically stable development.

We endeavour to approach our aims by advocating fair trade relations, responsible financial markets, compliance with human rights, and the prevention of dangerous climate change. Our topics are World Trade and Food Security, Climate Protection and Adaptation, Corporate Accountability, the Financial Sector and Sustainability as well as the Financing of Development Cooperation.

We observe, analyse and act. In doing so, we focus on the politics and economics of the North with their global consequences.

In Germany, Europe and on the global level, we observe actors relevant to the achievement of our goals. Using science-based analyses, we inform the public, educate and lobby, and inform consumers how they can support our goals through their own actions. To this end, we are closely connected with organisations and individuals from the South as well as with development and environmental organisations worldwide.

To achieve our political goals, we also collaborate with companies, labour unions, and organisations concerned with consumer protection. The principle of our relation with companies is: Cooperation where possible, confrontation where necessary - depending on which strategy most effectively promotes the implementation of sustainability criteria.

The situation of marginalised people in the South is the starting point of our work.

Politics and the structure of the world market as well as the increasingly imitated resource-intensive economic system of the North influence people's lives worldwide. Unbridled globalisation endangers the existence of a large number of people in the South, who are marginalised or threatened with the loss of their ecological and economic livelihoods. We campaign for conditions which assure a sustainable future, especially for these people.

Together with our members and supporters as well as with other players in civil society we want to be a strong lobby for sustainable development.

Our team is highly motivated, and our work is based on long-term expertise in the development and environmental sector. With creativity and strategic vision, we intend to steadily approach our goals.

To ensure our independence, we rely on donations and fees from our members and supporters as well as on our "Stiftung Zukunftsfähigkeit" (Foundation for Sustainability). We welcome any financial and practical support from people who share our convictions.