Annual Report 2019

In 2019, a total of
4149 women,
men and young people
attended courses and events
organised by Mission 21.
And
1797 adults
participated in
95 courses
that gave
them inspiration and motivated them to go into action.
Elham Manea, the Yemeni-Swiss political
scientist, at the interfaith symposium
titled "Islam is part of Switzerland" held
at Basel in 2019.
Photograph: Mara Wirtlin/Mission 21
And
1552 specialists and
other interested participants
17
ranging from theology students to teachers attended
events
where they gained fascinating information
and new knowledge.
to meet these needs through the educational activities
we offer, including courses, symposiums
and other events tailored specifically to each
target audience.
One important objective is that our offerings
should empower the participants to apply new
experiences and realisations in their professional
careers as well as their private lives; we also
aim to encourage them to act in solidarity. Local
action combined with a global mindset continues
to be an important motto for our awareness-raising
work.
Through our educational programme, we
reached over 4000 individuals in various age
groups during 2019. We addressed these issues
and examined them in depth with attendees at
30 events that attracted 552 participants, and
through 148 courses for which 2597 students
enrolled.
After every event and course, we carry out
evaluations that show us where we can improve.
These analyses also indicate that the intended
effects were achieved. One young person writes:
“I realised how good our lives are, and that we
should not forget other people – such as refugees.”
Another participant noted that she had
now come to understand the major difference
between Islam and Boko Haram: this, she said,
would enable her to adopt a different approach
to people of the Muslim faith in Switzerland.
Participants often state that they have experienced
a “broadening of their horizons”. This encouraging
feedback shows that the activities we
offer are helping to open people’s eyes and shift
their focus away from themselves and towards
people who are strangers to them at first – and,
in this way, to create possibilities for new experiences
and insights.
Magdalena Zimmermann
Head of Education Exchange Research
25