Specialist Concepts and Orientation Frameworks of Welthungerhilfe

Gender in Development Co-operation

© WHHWith its Platform for Action the UN World Women's Conference in 1995 formulated the gender perspectives for the 21st Century. But today there are still few countries in the world where women have the same opportunities as men to participate in political and economic life.

Regarding Gender the aim is to analyse the dominant relationship between men and women and how women and men understand their roles. The resulting hierarchies have to be questioned and suitable strategies for altering them must be developed. The check lists contained in the orientation framework support the application of gender perspectives in planning, implementing and monitoring projects and programmes.

Orientation Framework Gender

Food Security

In 1974 the FAO set itself the goal "Within a decade, no man, woman or child will go to bed hungry". Today there are 923 million undernourished people throughout the world – in view of these figures and hardly encouraging forecasts, food security remains one of the biggest challenges for humankind. The specialist concept provides an overview of the goals and contents of food security projects supported by Welthungerhilfe. The programmes deal with the causes of food insecurity at micro and meso levels, and directly benefit people threatened by poverty and lack of food.

To the specialist concepts for "Food Security"

HIV/Aids

Despite all treatment opportunities, HIV/Aids remains a deadly disease. The pandemic threatens the existence of whole societies and it is scarcely possible to estimate the long-term social and economic impact it will have, particularly in developing countries. Welthungerhilfe is facing up to the challenges arising from this problem and is using possibilities to both prevent the disease and actively counter the effects of HIV/Aids through appropriate project approaches. The orientation framework emphasises the impacts of the pandemic in developing countries and explains approaches and important elements of Welthungerhilfe's project measures to combat HIV/Aids. It not only provides tools for project planning but also basic information for people working in the field.

To the orientation framework for "HIV/Aids"

Rural Development

Marginalised rural regions are still the production location and home of the greater part of poor people in developing countries. The specialist concept describes Welthungerhilfe's basic principles for promoting and helping to design rural development projects and implement them, as well as the instruments used for planning and designing them – for instance fighting poverty, sustainability and self-help orientation.

To the specialist concept for "Rural Development"

Partnership for Development

One of the central tasks of Welthungerhilfe is not only helping people in rural areas but also those in urban regions to improve their living conditions. In doing so Welthungerhilfe relies on the principle of "help for self-help". Therefore wherever this is possible there is always cooperation with local partner organisations. The orientation framework provides the joint understanding between Welthungerhilfe and its partners regarding the characteristic elements of cooperation and basic principles of partnership. It describes who our partners are, what roles and tasks they take on, what qualification requirements we expect from a partner and what conditions are attached to a partner.

To the orientation framework for "Partnership for Development"

Conflict-Sensitive Action

In the vast majority of countries and fields where Welthungerhilfe provides support, overcoming the widest variety of conflicts plays an important role. On the one hand, at the end of the 20th Century natural disasters and violent conflicts within countries increased considerably. On the other hand, an increasing scarcity of resources, in particular access to land and water, is leading to more and more conflicts. Conflict-sensitive action is therefore not only relevant in countries and regions where violent conflicts are currently taking place or which are in a post-conflict phase. It generally applies to Welthungerhilfe's work in its foreign programmes and is becoming increasingly important.

To orientation framework for "Conflict-Sensitive Action"

Rehabilitation in Foreign Work

Since the 1990s Welthungerhilfe has increasingly been committed to working in countries and regions that have suffered violent conflicts or were the victims of a natural disaster. Thanks to its long-term local presence – either using its own structures or relying on partner organisations – Welthungerhilfe is able to quickly and suitably react to crises and disasters. Rehabilitation measures are carried out under difficult conditions. They require farsighted and sensitive project planning, which often conflicts with existing time pressure and the urgency to take action. It is therefore all the more important that principles and standards are taken into consideration and Welthungerhilfe's experience is put into practice.

To orientation framework for "Rehabilitation"