HEKS/Julie Lovens
Portrait
HEKS/EPER abroad
In more than 30 countries on four continents, HEKS/EPER supports development cooperation projects, provides humanitarian assistance for victims of natural disasters and armed conflicts, and supports the diaconal work of churches in Eastern Europe and the Middle East. At the same time, HEKS/EPER strives for worldwide systemic change through its development and social policy work.
HEKS
HEKS/EPER in Switzerland
Through its programmes in Switzerland, HEKS/EPER fosters social inclusion for marginalized people, promotes equal opportunity and supports asylum seekers and other socially deprived people with legal advice. HEKS/EPER also sees itself as a driving force in the shaping of public opinion on various development and social policy issues. Through regular campaigns on specific topics, HEKS/EPER promotes and supports awareness-raising in Switzerland regarding development policy issues.
HEKS
Working methods
HEKS/EPER projects promote help for self-help, are geared to the needs and resources of those concerned and are implemented in concert with them. HEKS/EPER staff are in constant dialogue with project participants, partner organizations, sponsoring institutions, donors and cantonal reformed churches. HEKS/EPER works with local partner organizations abroad. HEKS/EPER Coordination Offices employ local people.
Annette Boutellier
The 2030 Agenda
The “2030 Agenda” represents a global plan put forward by the UN to promote sustainable development up to 2030. The 17 goals and 169 targets it contains – the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) – and the guiding principle of "leaving no one behind" constitute a key priority and frame of reference for the work of HEKS/EPER abroad and in Switzerland. Equal access to social, economic, cultural and political life is, after all, the basis for prosperous, inclusive and peaceful societies.
Christian Bobst
Values
Christian Bobst
Accountability
For us, the trust of our donors, clients, partner organizations and of all who engage with and for us is paramount. Ethical and moral values are therefore the bedrock of our work. The ZEWO quality label is confirmation that HEKS/EPER utilizes the funds entrusted to it economically, effectively and for their designated purpose. HEKS/EPER also makes an external whistleblowing platform available to its employees and third parties through which they can report misconduct or breaches of the Code of Conduct or the Field Financial Guidelines. In this way, HEKS/EPER remains accountable to donors, churches, staff and beneficiaries.
Beni Basler
Transparency
Transparency is crucial to responsible and effective action. HEKS/EPER has laid out its principles in this regard in its own Transparency Code. On the one hand, the Code constitutes action guidelines for HEKS/EPER personnel and on the other, it informs the public as to how HEKS/EPER understands transparency. In an annual Transparency Report, HEKS/EPER reviews compliance with the guidelines.
Karin Desmarowitz
