1983 – The Hunger Project Switzerland is founded
In 1983, The Hunger Project Switzerland was founded in Geneva by Elisabeth Stern (President), Elly Cantor, Odile Thiers and Pierre Barbey. Elisabeth’s encounter with the global The Hunger Project (THP) in San Francisco, founded in 1977, was decisive. For several years, in addition to her studies in California, she was involved in the special kind of educational work that THP had developed and recorded in the so-called “Source Document”. After her return to Switzerland and on a tip from the office in San Francisco, Elisabeth and Elly Cantor got to know each other personally. Elly had become aware of the THP globally through a small group in Kitzbühel/A that was already involved. Both women were convinced, even enthusiastic about the methodical approach and the ambitious goal “A world without hunger by the year 2000”. They were ready to commit themselves to this message and countless volunteer hours.
At the time, hardly anyone was talking about the tragedy of chronic hunger that was killing 35,000 people a day. Both women wanted people to realize three basic things. 1. that hunger exists, killing every day. 2. that it must never be forgotten, and 3. that it must become a political and economic priority.
The San Francisco office offered various support to the Hunger Project Switzerland – certainly ideally, but never financially.
1990 – Travelling Exhibition
The travelling exhibition is launched at the book fair in Geneva. The aim of this exhibition is to raise awareness of chronic hunger worldwide and to increase the financial family. The exhibition travelled through various cities in Switzerland.
1990 – Trip to Moscow
In 1990, a Swiss delegation travelled to Moscow to present Mrs. Gorbachev 60,000 letters. A trip sponsored by Aéroleasing.
1990 – Launch of the Epicenter Strategy in Africa
In the early 1990s, the Epicenter strategy was launched. Today, it is our USP and it is one of the most central approaches in our work against hunger and poverty.
1991 – Visit at the Federal Parliament on the occasion of the World Food Day
Doris Ragettli, one of our loyal volunteers, organized a meeting with 100 young people in front of the Bundeshaus, where they were welcomed by Rudolf Schaller ( General Secretary of the Department of Foreign Affairs) and by René Felber (President of the Federal Council). The young people drew attention to not forget the political promises to eliminate hunger.
1999 – Launch of the African Women Farmers Initiative
Women produce most of the food for household consumption in Africa, but are almost completely overlooked by official efforts to improve food production. The Hunger Project has launched a new initiative to (a) develop a large-scale training and loan program to economically empower African women farmers, and (b) draw the attention of policymakers through a massive advocacy campaign to the fact that the future of Africa depends on the future of African women food farmers.
2003 – Launch of HIV awareness campaign in Africa
In response to the sheer spread of HIV/AIDS worldwide in the 1990s, the Hunger Project launched a campaign in 2003 to educate women in particular about how to protect themselves. The workshop on “AIDS and Gender Justice” became an integral part of THP’s work in the Epicenters in Africa. More than 1.1 million people have already participated in these trainings.
2004 – The expertise of The Hunger Project is highly demanded
Joan Holmes, founder and former president of the Hunger Project global network, is appointed as a consultant to the Task Force to End Hunger under the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). To today, the Hunger Project holds consultative status on the UN Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC).
2007 – Award for exceptional engagement granted by SwissRe
On the occasion of the General Assembly of Swiss Re on April 20, 2007, Daniel Heini, President of The Hunger Project Switzerland, and Claude Heini, Vice President of The Hunger Project Switzerland, received the Swiss Re Militia Award 2007. This award was given in recognition of their extraordinary voluntary commitment to The Hunger Project Switzerland since 1990, in addition to their professional activities.
2008 – 25 years The Hunger Project Switzerland
Around 80 representatives of public authorities, politics and development cooperation, friends and partners of The Hunger Project attended the anniversary event on November 22, 2008 at the Hotel Glockenhof in Zurich. Dr. Hans Hollenstein, member of the Zurich government, Rosmarie Zapfl, president of the Alliance Against Hunger, former member of the National Council and Council of Europe, Dr. Martin Dahinden, director of the SDC’s Directorate for Development and Cooperation, and Martin Koller, departmental secretary of the Board of Finance of the City of Zurich, paid tribute to the work of The Hunger Project in their welcoming messages.
The two guests of the global Hunger Project, Jill Lester, President and CEO, and Dr. Fitigu Tadesse, Vice President Africa Region, outlined in their speeches what the development aid of tomorrow should look like. Women in particular play a central role in this.
2009 – ZEWO certification
Since November 2009, The Hunger Project Switzerland has been ZEWO-certified and thus has to fulfill increased requirements of the ZEWO foundation in dealing with donations. This also means that THP Switzerland verifies on site that the funds are used in accordance with the project.
2012 – Afro-Pfingsten Symposium
Renowned speakers from politics, business, science and organizations gave short presentations and discussed in two panel sessions. In between, the documentary film by David Syz “Hunger-Enough is Not Enough” was shown. The Hunger Project was represented in the first panel discussion by Leni Rieppel, Country Director of Germany, and by a well-placed information booth. Leni Rieppel represented The Hunger Project’s point of view that affected people recognize their own potential, their own abilities, overcome their resignation and express the will to want to change their future independently.
2013 – Event “Women’s quota – what does it mean globally?”
On March 12, The Hunger Project Switzerland and Germany, together with the organization Fraueninfo, hosted an event with short presentations by the well-known former President of the German Bundestag, Rita Süssmuth, and the Indian Country Director of The Hunger Project, Rita Sarin. At the subsequent panel discussion, the speakers exchanged views on the benefits of women’s quotas with Matthias Mölleney, founder and CEO of peopleXpert, Sue Paredi of Microsoft Switzerland, and Maja Ziegler of the Fachstelle für Gleichstellung Frau und Mann in Zurich.
2019 – Charity concert in honor of Anne-Marie Blanc and Daniel Fueter
Daniel Fueter, father of our ambassador Mona Petri and son of Anne-Marie Blanc, invited to the charity concert for The Hunger Project Switzerland on September 25 – in honor of his mother, his own 70th birthday and the 40th birthday of his daughter Rea Claudia Kost. The large concert hall of the Zürcher Hochschule der Künste was practically full. The audience was thrilled by the chanson contributions of the many well-known contributors, each accompanied on the piano by Daniel Fueter. The beautiful event was moderated by Mona Petri. The presentation of The Hunger Project by the SRF radio presenter Oliver Fueter was given a great emphasis. Thanks to this great, unforgettable evening, 15’200 CHF could be raised.
2020 – We face the COVID-19 pandemic
In light of the outbreak of the global covid 19 pandemic, The Hunger Project’s grassroots approach is proving to be spot on. Amid rising numbers of hungry people worldwide, partners in program countries are responding flexibly and successfully to the situation. They find ways to continue implementing projects – while respecting distance regulations – and thus continue working with the people in their communities, some of whom are most at risk of hunger.
2023 – The Hunger Project Switzerland turns 40!
For 40 years now, many individuals have been committed to ending global hunger once and for all. Even though much has already been achieved: we have not yet reached our goal. Together, we want to pool our efforts and make them efficient so that the impact of our work multiplies. The end of hunger has not yet been reached – but it is within reach. We will continue to work toward this goal until global hunger is defeated once and for all! Be a part of it! Make a donation now.
Empowerment – Investieren Sie in Menschen!