In July 2009, Terre des hommes – child relief (Tdh) decided to concentrate its human and financial resources on strengthening its efforts around advocacy and operational projects in its countries of intervention in the South and the East. At present, there are 32 of these, badly hit socially and economically.

This choice means that Tdh is withdrawing from the questions specifically related to the application of child rights in Switzerland.

The majority of programmes in Switzerland have been closed or are currently being transferred to other organisations (CSAJ). Various alliances for the defense of child rights in Switzerland in which Tdh was active are continuing with their work (i.e., prevention of sexual abuse to children and the rights of non-accompanied minors).

Tdh will however continue to coordinate and preside the Swiss Network for Child Rights.

Nevertheless, the work of Tdh in the field of international adoption is not affected by this decision.

The advocacy of Tdh in recent years has contributed to special domains in the context of implementing the Convention of Child Rights in Switzerland.