Who are we?
Since its creation in 1960, when it was founded by Edmond Kaiser, the mission of Terre des hommes (Tdh) has been to come to the aid of children. It endeavours at all times to defend the rights of children, in times of war or natural catastrophe, or in less publicised situations of distress. Today, the values and the mission of Terre des hommes remain the same as those of Edmond Kaiser, and are contained in its Charter. Over the last forty years, Terre des hommes has specialised in three areas of expertise: health, social care, and the rights of the child.

Historically, Terre des hommes has worked in a joint approach: to bring direct aid projects for children in the world, managed within our own structures and/or in partnership with local organisations; and to be an ambassador for the rights of the child, in Switzerland and in the world, through campaigns that promote the fundamental rights of children or that denounce violations of those rights, in particular those contained in the Convention on the Rights of the Child adopted by the UN in 1989.

Today, the Terre des hommes Foundation is a significant force among children’s aid organisations in Switzerland and throughout the world. It is the largest non-governmental organisation (NGO) for children’s aid in Switzerland. With three areas of expertise: health, social care, and the rights of the child; it has development projects in 28 countries and emergency relief programmes in 3 others.


In the area of health, Terre des hommes has established programmes in nutrition, mother-and-child health, and in specialised care.
In the area of social care, Terre des hommes offers protection to the most vulnerable children, such as the victims of civil conflict and natural catastrophes, for children living on the street, orphans of AIDS, and maltreated or abandoned children.
In the area of the rights of the child, Terre des hommes provides legal support to minors in conflict with the law, organises training for those involved in the Justice system (judges, lawyers, police officers, youth and social workers, etc.), and works among political and judicial authorities by campaigning for the respect and application of the UN’s Convention on the Rights of the Child.