Annual Report 2018

Annual Report 

2018

Content 

"Peace grows with us” 

The theme of our 2018 campaign 

Donations 

PostFinance AG: 

Mingerstrasse 20, CH-3030 Bern 

BIC/SWIFT: POFICHBEXXX 

IBAN CH58 0900 0000 4072 6233 2 

Mission 21, POB 270, CH-4009 Basel 

ZEWO Certificate 

Mission 21 is certified 

to be ZEWO compliant 

since 2 December 2014 

EduQua-Label 

Mission 21 is certified 

to carry the EduQua label 

since 6 November 2015. 

ACT Alliance 

Mission 21 is a member 

of ACT Alliance 

since 10 October 2018. 

Editorial 5 

Johannes Blum, President of Mission 21 5 

Claudia Bandixen, Director of Mission 21 7 

International Relations 9 

Better prospects for life 10 

Cameroon: Focusing on emergency relief and reconstruction 11 

Bolivia: “Now I know how we shall be filled” 12 

Tanzania: Healthcare promotion with a holistic approach 14 

Peru: Strong women for sustainable village communities 16 

Indonesien: Interfaith Youth Camps and 

Peace Villages support peaceful coexistence 18 

Women and Gender Administrative Department: 

Advocating gender equity across the globe 20 

Education Exchange and Research 22 

Bringing about interfaith understanding: 

a form of peace work 24 

Developing the future in diversity 26 

Research: A productive source for promoting 

academic research 28 

Donations 29 

Arlesheim: The bazaar is an experience for 

the whole community 30 

Charitable foundations: Peace grows with us – 

in Nigeria, for example 32 

List of donations 33 

Annual statement 34 

Balance sheet und Operating result 34 

Source and use of funds 36 

Annual Financial Statement 37 

Organisation 38 

Organigram Mission 21 / Short profile Mission 21 38 

Governing bodies and committees in 2018 / 

Publications in 2018 39 

Mobile HIV clinic in Tanzania. 

Photo: Fritz Weibel/Mission 21 

Panel discussion at the symposium on gender roles. 

Photo: Mara Wirthlin/Mission 21 

Title illustration: Nila Condori Mamani, a farmer 

from Chupa (Peru), has benefited from Alfalit’s 

literacy project. Photo: Dorothee Adrian/Mission 21 

Imprint 

Mission 21 Annual Report 2018 

Published by: Mission 21, Department 

Communication and Marketing 

Responsible: Johannes Blum, President Mission 21 

Editorial office: Christoph Rácz 

Photo: Mission 21 (unless otherwise noted) 

Layout: Vischer Vettiger Hartmann AG 

Print: Gremper AG, Basel 

Print-run/date of publication: 2400 Ex./June 2019 

A group of course participants in front of a planting bed 

in El Alto, Bolivia. Photo: Focapaci 

The lucky dip at the bazaar staged 

by the Arlesheim church congregation. 

Photo: Dieter Küng 

2 3

Editorial by the President 

Young people from different religious backgrounds pose to be 

photographed together: Jakatarub organises effective public relations 

activities in Indonesia to promote interfaith understanding. 

Photo: Jakatarub 

The cultural diversity of 

the global Christian church 

Johannes Blum 

The overarching theme of Mission 21’s Synod last year was “Migration”. 

With this in mind, we focused on the fact that migration is a reality 

– and that it is likely to increase. Christians, too, are arriving in Switzerland 

as a result of this migration, and it is also enabling us to get 

to know theologies that are unfamiliar and foreign to us. It is my impression 

that many Protestant churches in Europe have not yet realised 

that the church is already a global church – as it has been for a long 

time. The Protestant churches, both in Europe and North America, fail 

to make an adequate distinction between culture and faith. They speak 

of the defence of Christian values as if they were self-evident – but in 

fact, they are referring more to Western Christian values rather than 

Christian-African or Christian-Indian values, for example. 

These values make the global church colourful and diverse. From 

the churches of Africa, for instance, we can learn to have a closer relationship 

with the spiritual world. For them, supernatural powers hold 

sway in the world. When a person falls ill, there is often a search for a 

spiritual and a social cause. This inspires people to pray, and they expect 

healing and help from Jesus. Christian Africans often find it impossible 

to understand that we no longer make use of this spiritual source 

in our part of the world. 

From churches in a number of Muslim countries, we can learn how 

faith must – and can – prove itself in times of persecution, and what it 

means to live in a country where there is growing insecurity. In Indonesia, 

Mission 21 supports events attended by young people of the Muslim 

and Christian faiths, at which they can jointly experience and show 

respect for each other’s beliefs. 

Climate change is already having visible consequences in the countries 

of Latin America: many sources of water have dried up, and farmers 

can no longer cultivate their soil. Numerous churches are committed 

to combating poverty here. From them, we can learn what it means 

to take on political responsibility. 

Whether in Africa, Asia or Latin America: at Mission 21, we have the 

opportunity to get to know the global Christian church. 

This work in the global church has also provided the motivation for 

Claudia Bandixen, the Director of Mission 21. Now, after seven years, 

she is stepping down from her office. She came equipped with extensive 

experience of leadership and management from her previous position 

as President of the Council of the Cantonal Church of Aargau. Her 

enormous expertise, abundant enthusiasm, huge efforts and impressive 

dedication have made her into an example for many. During her term 

of office, our mission statement was revised and the organisation was 

professionalised. Mission 21 obtained the ZEWO quality label and government 

recognition as a charitable organisation. In financial terms, 

our Mission achieved the turnaround. 

By appointing Jochen Kirsch, the Board has opted to ensure continuity 

in Mission 21’s development. Jochen Kirsch, a theologian and 

holder of a diploma in NPO management, has already been deploying 

his diverse skills as an expert in international cooperation for 

Mission 21 since 2004. 

Johannes Blum, President of Mission 21 

4 

5

Editorial by the Director 

Christians and Muslims attending a literacy 

course together in the Gurku Peace Village. 

Photo: Jonathan Liechti 

Working together 

across borders 

Claudia Bandixen 

During 2018, Mission 21 undertook work in 20 countries and about 100 

projects, with the focus on its four core themes: healthcare, education, 

livelihood security and peace promotion. Behind these dry keywords, 

there are real programmes that benefit thousands of people. 

The Mission’s strength lies in its continuous and faithful development 

work. 

For the last five years or so, the provision of emergency relief for 

certain partners has been a crucial and urgent requirement because 

they receive hardly any international aid, even though they are in situations 

of extreme distress. These not only include the harsh conditions 

for Mission 21’s partners in northern Nigeria and South Sudan but also 

– as a new development – in the English-speaking part of Cameroon. 

In 2018, our “Peace grows with us” campaign offered insights into 

Mission 21’s peace work. In northern Nigeria, for instance, the endless 

suffering caused by the violence of the Boko Haram terrorist militia 

continues. Nevertheless, the numerous victims are setting out to shape 

their futures without seeking vengeance on the henchmen of Boko Haram. 

They are convinced that violence merely generates more violence. 

Mission 21 supports the peaceful coexistence of Christians and Muslims. 

In Gurku Peace Village, children attend the school (made possible 

by Mission 21) together. Thanks to Mission 21 and its partners, people 

from different ethnic backgrounds are working together on various 

projects in South Sudan. In this way, they are shaping their futures and, 

at the same time, dismantling reciprocal prejudices. 

Each year, the international delegates of Mission 21 meet to take the 

most important decisions together at the Mission Synod. In 2018, the 

Mission was hosted in Aarau by the Aargau regional church. The process 

of democratic determination at the Synod reinforces the awareness 

of a shared responsibility. It is impressive to see how our African 

partners, with the little that they possess, play a practical part in bringing 

food to displaced people and in setting up facilities where they can 

seek protection. Nobody can or should become accustomed to unnecessary 

death and suffering as everyday occurrences – that is their conviction. 

Now that I am taking retirement and handing the professional work 

in the Mission movement over to my successor, Jochen Kirsch, I am 

overjoyed to see that all the joint efforts for Mission 21 have been rewarded. 

Reliable work is being accomplished in a spirit of solidarity on 

four continents, and the operation in Basel ensures that administration 

is both efficient and minimal. Even more important than all the functional 

aspects is the clearly evident determination of our employees and 

partners, and of the Board of Mission 21, to continue their commitment 

to the weakest, with all their strength, year after year. It was for this 

purpose that the Mission was founded over 200 years ago, and it still 

stands for this purpose today. 

Claudia Bandixen, 

Director, Mission 21 

6 

7

“Peace grows with us” – the theme for the 

2018 campaign highlighted Mission 21’s 

commitment in Nigeria. 

International 

Relations 

Mission 21 is actively committed to combating poverty, improving 

education and healthcare, and to carrying out peace work all over 

the world. We promote gender equity in all our projects and programmes. 

In 2018, we focused on peace promotion through our 

“Peace grows with us” campaign: in Nigeria, for example, we work 

jointly and successfully with our partner organisations so that 

people of the Muslim and Christian faiths can live in peace with 

one another. Peace promotion will also continue to be one of our 

most urgent core themes in 2019. 

8 

9

International Relations 

We protect and strengthen disadvantaged people 

Better prospects for life 

In Africa, Asia or Latin America: the challenges to be overcome through Mission 21’s 

work are increasing. For this reason, steps were taken to expand our operations in 

2018 in order to provide even better support for the beneficiaries. 

Asia 

In Asia, we focus on the dramatic migration of women from 

Indonesia to work in countries such as Malaysia, Taiwan or 

Hong Kong. About seven million Indonesian women work 

abroad as domestic employees and caregivers. They have 

poor working conditions, they often experience violence, 

they are trapped by restrictive contracts, or they fall into 

the clutches of human traffickers. In response to these 

problems, the new Asia-wide programme to strengthen 

migrants carries out information and education work before 

the women leave Indonesia. This programme makes it 

possible to protect and support migrant workers in Malaysia 

and Hong Kong, and it builds up a network to support 

the women concerned on their journeys between Indonesia 

(their country of origin) and the relevant host country. 

Mission 21 supports the Christian Action organisation in Hong Kong 

with providing legal advice for exploited domestic employees. 

Photo: Christian Action 

Latin America 

In Latin America, the increase in political and religious 

forms of fundamentalism is giving cause for concern. Basic 

training and continuing education in theology has therefore 

gained relevance as a factor in promoting fair societies. 

Mission 21’s partner organisations such as the UBL 

theological college (Latin American Biblical University) or 

the DEI (Ecumenical Research Department) centre in Costa 

Rica are contributing to the education of dedicated leaders. 

They address explosive issues in Latin American societies, 

such as violence against women, social inequality and the 

exploitation of natural resources. Through good educational 

work, lobbying and communication activities, they also 

set processes of social change in motion. 

Africa 

Living conditions are becoming more and more precarious 

in many of our partner countries in Africa. Often 

overlooked by the global public, hundreds of thousands 

of people are battling for survival and fighting to obtain 

fundamental rights and prospects for life, both for themselves 

and their society. Mission 21 supports these people 

and, together with partners, it organises emergency relief 

and reconstruction programmes in Nigeria, South Sudan 

and also (since 2018) in Cameroon. 

International co-workers 

International co-workers seconded by Mission 21 

are undertaking assignments in many partner 

countries, at the explicit request of the partner 

churches and organisations. These specialists 

participate in various projects for periods of several 

years, as coordinators, technicians or teachers. 

At the end of 2018, a total of 15 international 

co-workers were working for Mission 21: 

Gabi Baumgartner-Brandner, China, Hongkong 

Tobias Brandner, China, Hongkong 

Angel Román Dollinger, Costa Rica, San José 

Simone Dollinger, Costa Rica, San José 

Johanna Drach, Peru, Puno 

Daniel Gloor, Malaysia, Sabah 

Uwe Hummel, Indonesia, Banjarmasin 

Yakubu Joseph, Nigeria, Abuja 

Togho Lumumba Mukong, Cameroon, Bamenda 

Jocye Manarisip, Indonesia, Jakarta Timur 

Emery Munfu Mpwate, Tanzania, Daressalam 

Bernard Suwa, South Sudan, Juba 

Adrienne Sweetman, Tanzania, Mbeya 

Jules Tsengele Ngoy, DR Congo, Kasongo-Lunda 

Martin Witmer, Cameroon, Manyemen 

Claudia Zeising, Tanzania, Mbeya 

Contributions for projects and programmes 

in the global south 

For the Healthcare Promotion 

core theme: CHF 

For the Education core theme: 

805186 

CHF 2 260065 

For the Peace Promotion 


634 691 

For the Agriculture and Livelihood Security 


For Emergency Relief and Reconstruction: 

772 903 

CHF 

589 384 

Contributions for projects 

and programmes 

in the global south 

For a long time, this country on the southern 

coast of West Africa was regarded as stable and 

peaceful. It was not until autumn 2016, when 

the government of Cameroon took violent action 

against lawyers and teachers mounting peaceful protests, 

that the conflict became visible to the public. The demonstrators 

opposed the creeping “gallicisation” of the legal 

and educational system in the English-speaking part of the 

country. The situation escalated following the crackdown 

on the protests until October 2017, when separatists went 

so far as to demand independence for the English-speaking 

part of Cameroon under the name of “Ambazonia”. Both the 

government and the separatists are acting with relentless 

cruelty and are committing massive violations of human 

rights. Criminal gangs seeking to obtain money by any 

means are adding to the insecurity. Entire villages are being 

burned to the ground and houses are being plundered, 

while schools and other public facilities are being closed 

down or even destroyed. Thousands of people have been 

killed. The prisons are full to overflowing. Fear and terror 

reign in what was once a peaceful country. 

About 500 000 people have currently taken flight following 

this escalation of violence, according to the latest 

official information from the United Nations: almost all of 

People fleeing from violence in the English-speaking 

region of Cameroon. Photo: YOP 

them are in urgent need of water, food and basic 

medical care. They also include thousands of children 

who became separated from their families 

as they fled. 

In this profoundly polarised and traumatised 

society, our church partners are the only players who are 

still able to provide effective help and to stand up for the 

rights of the refugees and the population of English-speaking 

Cameroon that has been marginalised by the government. 

These partners have an existing infrastructure at 

their disposal on the ground, and they enjoy the trust of 

the population – because they do not come from outside, 

but have always been there. And also because they are 

a fundamental part of the population: and, by no means 

least, because they themselves are among the people who 

are now fleeing from violence at the hands of the government 

and the separatists. 

The churches play an active part in connection with 

the ecumenical emergency relief and reconstruction programme 

organised by Mission 21 under the auspices of the 

United Nations. They bring food, tents and medicines to 

women, men and children who have taken refuge in the 

bush. They carry out important trauma work and, wherever 

possible, they ensure that people can develop new 

prospects for their lives. They are also supported in these 

efforts by local NGOs with specialist experience. At the 

same time, they assert the rights of the English-speaking 

population at the political level, and advocate a peaceful 

resolution of the conflict. 

Jochen Kirsch, Head of International Relations 

The impact of the programme in 2018 

With the help of Mission 21, two large churches and 

several smaller organisations distributed food and 

goods for everyday needs to about 28 000 refugees. 

While distributing the aid, the participating churches 

also offered psychosocial support. In addition, over 

3000 affected individuals received medical care. 

10 11


“Rays of hope from urban gardens” 

This project in El Alto (Bolivia) is part of the Latin America 

cooperation programme (project no. 400.1001). It provides support 

for women to set up vegetable gardens and greenhouses in the 

courtyards inside their homes, and to keep small animals such as 

chickens or guinea pigs. This improves the nutrition situation, and 

family income is increased by sales at local markets. The target 

population acquires knowledge about sustainable cultivation, new 

technologies, marketing and nutrition. The project also informs 

the participants about women’s rights, and contributes towards 

strengthening their position in society. 

In 2018, our partner organisation Focapaci supported 60 new 

families. They operate greenhouses of up to 30 square meters in 

size. By selling their surpluses each week, they earn an average of 

CHF 50 per month. 

The “Rays of hope from urban gardens” project is assigned project 

number 420.1018. 

Eduarda Taquichiri de Alvarado in her 

small greenhouse. 

Photo: Johanna Drach/Mission 21 

Bolivia 

“Now I know how we 

shall be filled” 

Many people in the city of El Alto are poor. Malnutrition 

and inadequate diet are widespread in this high-altitude city 

in Bolivia. Eduarda Taquichiri de Alvarado is among those 

who are afflicted. But since she built a small greenhouse in 

the courtyard inside her home, she benefits from healthy 

nutrition and earns money for herself and her family by 

selling her produce at market. 

Eduarda Taquichiri de Alvarado is overcome 

by a pleasant feeling of tranquillity whenever 

she steps into her little greenhouse. No matter 

what might be happening outside: “I feel good 

in here”, 66-year-old Eduarda says. When she 

sees how the plants are flourishing, she feels 

safe. Because she knows that food for her family 

is growing here. And this is also where her 

income is growing. Several times each week, 

Eduarda sells her harvest at markets in more 

affluent districts of the capital, La Paz, and she 

also supplies lettuces and sprouts to hotels and 

restaurants. She uses the money she earns to 

provide what she lacks: maize and oil, for ex- 

ample. Her four children are now grown up, 

but her eleven-year-old nephew lives with her. 

Thanks to her greenhouse, Eduarda is also able 

to look after him. 

Exploited as a housekeeper 

Eduarda Taquichiri has rarely felt as secure as 

this at any time in her life. She came to El Alto 

from a rural region. 85% of the population here 

are migrants, and many of them keep their 

heads above water by taking on poorly paid 

work. Food is expensive, so malnutrition and 

poor diet are widespread. 

Eduarda can also tell us all about that. For 

years, she worked as a housekeeper and in factories: 

conditions were precarious, and she was 

frequently exploited. As she grew older, she fell 

ill with a kidney disorder – also due to nutritional 

deficiency, as she tells us. But by then 

she was already part of the “Rays of hope from 

urban gardens” project operated in El Alto 

by Mission 21 with its partner organisation, 

Focapaci. “Healthy nutrition has helped me to 

recover,” Eduarda says. 

Cultivation at 4 000 meters above sea level 

The project run by Mission 21 and Focapaci 

provides support for women to set up gardens 

and build small greenhouses. Homes here are 

usually built around an inner courtyard that 

can be utilised for urban agriculture. Conditions 

are difficult: the yards are in the centre 

of the city, at 4 000 meters above sea level. But 

if the right techniques are used, plenty can 

be grown on just a few square meters. In this 

project, the women learn how to irrigate the 

plants correctly and to cultivate a wide variety 

of crops on a very small area. Thanks to biological 

fertiliser which they produce themselves, 

they are not dependent on expensive products 

that are often harmful. 

Eduarda shows off her tomatoes and carrots, 

recounts successful attempts to grow fruit, and 

outlines her plans to sell flowers at some point 

in the future. She tells how neighbours like to 

come to her garden to make sure they get the 

freshest vegetables. As an additional benefit, 

the greenhouse has become a venue for social 

exchange in the district – an effect that is also 

among the goals of the project. 

Continued education: another way to 

strengthen women 

Another goal of the project is to strengthen 

women. This is particularly important in a 

society where discrimination and violence 

against women are widespread. Thanks to 

their knowledge and their income, participants 

in the project acquire greater independence 

and respect. They also motivate and inspire 

other women. Eduarda Taquichiri explains: 

“Over 20 women living in the district have already 

decided to build greenhouses, too.” 

Like Eduarda, Elizabeth Aquise Mamani 

is also a “replicadora”. This is the name given 

to women in the project who are trained to 

pass their knowledge on to others. Elizabeth, 

aged 21, has taken over a greenhouse from her 

mother, and she is already growing enough 

vegetables to earn CHF 20 to 40 each week 

from selling them. This is not a large sum, and 

– like most of the women – Elizabeth Aquise 

Mamani lives an extremely modest life. Nevertheless, 

her small earnings release her from 

some of her worries. But for Elizabeth and 

also for Eduarda, the ability to improve their 

own nutrition and to be healthier than before 

is almost as important as the income they 

earn. Nutrition and health are fundamental 

requirements for them to continue cultivating 

their gardens well so that as time goes on, they 

can contribute to the financial and social security 

of the families in El Alto, and help to 

ensure their health. 

Miriam Glass, 

Public Relations Team 

Elizabeth Aquise can also sell the surpluses from her harvest. 

Photo: Johannna Drach/Mission 21 

A group of course participants in front of a planting bed. Photo: Focapaci 

Project contributions for agriculture 

and income promotion 

Total: CHF 772 903 

In Africa: 

CHF 214 289 

In Asia: 

CHF 106 025 

In Latin America: 

CHF 286 000 

Intercontinental: 

CHF 166 589 

Der angebaute knackige 

Salat wird auf dem 

Markt verkauft. 

0 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 

12 13


Tanzania 

Healthcare promotion 

with a holistic approach 

Project contributions 

for healthcare promotion 

Insgesamt: CHF 805 186 

In Africa: 

CHF 805 186 

The healthcare situation in Tanzania is precarious: there are just three 

doctors per 100 000 inhabitants. As well as the shortage of specialists and 

the lack of infrastructure, the HIV virus is one of the greatest challenges 

facing the country. Mission 21 supports healthcare promotion and efforts to 

combat the stigmatisation of people with HIV. 

“Healthcare and HIV programme in Tanzania” 

This project is part of the Tanzania cooperation programme 

(programme no. 186.1001). 

It ensures access to medical care for as many people 

as possible, especially in the remote rural regions in 

the south-west of Tanzania. Educational and preventive 

measures are an important element of this 

work in view of the high percentage of HIV-positive 

young people. The number of members of self-help 

groups rose by 100 to reach 320 in 2018. In this 

way, the project has also improved the situation of 

HIV-positive people. Measures to promote income as 

well as social and financial support have stabilised 

the economic situation for the people affected: in 

specific terms, 715 individuals have received support 

to help themselves. This project (number 186.1508) 

thus makes an important contribution towards 

achieving the Sustainable Development Goals on the 

UN’s 2030 Agenda: to ensure healthy lives for all 

(goal no. 3) and also to end poverty (goal no. 1). 

HIV test. 

Photo: Regina Mariola Sagan 

“HIV is not merely a health problem in Tanzania 

– it impacts the entire social structure, 

reaching into every corner of coexistence,” according 

to Adrienne Sweetman, Mission 21’s 

new coordinator in Tanzania. Her emphatic 

statement underlines the importance of a holistic 

approach to promoting healthcare. The 

aim should be to consider health problems in 

the social context. The long and successful collaboration 

between Mission 21 and the Moravian 

Church in Tanzania (MCT) is based on just 

such a holistic approach. 

About 1.4 million people are living with 

HIV in Tanzania (according to the WHO estimate 

in 2017). The infection rate among young 

women is higher than the figure for men. This 

is partially attributable to the patriarchal 

structure of society. It is for this precise reason 

that Mission 21 also supports and strengthens 

young women in Tanzania, alongside its work 

to prevent HIV. 

Overcoming the fear of stigmatisation 

Social taboos and stigmatisation are major 

problems in the fight against HIV. This is why 

setting up the “Lusubilo” self-help group in 

2008 was such an important step (its name 

means “hope” in the Nyakusa language). 

HIV-positive people meet in this group to talk 

openly about their illness. “This is something 

extraordinary,” Adrienne Sweetman points 

out. “In Tanzania, people with HIV or AIDS are 

0 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100% 

A family studies the 

educational brochure 

together. 

Photo: Nicholas Calvin 

often excluded from society, which is why the 

people affected usually remain silent about it.” 

The “Lusubilo” group was founded by 

Melania Mrema Kyando, who was infected 

with HIV by her husband. This pastor and HIV 

activist needed some time before she herself 

could talk openly about her infection: “At the 

start, we were just 20 participants – but today, 

there are eight self-help groups with over 320 

members.” They play a major part in improving 

the health situation of HIV-positive people 

– and they also have a preventive impact, 

because the people affected talk openly about 

HIV and how to deal with it. 

Healthcare in remote regions 

A mobile HIV clinic has been operating since 

2017 with the very specific goal of promoting 

healthcare for people in rural areas. It offers 

advice and fast HIV tests. In the remote regions, 

poor healthcare makes the situation 

for people with HIV exceptionally difficult. In 

the Mbeya region, where Mission 21’s partners 

are active, there are some places where one 

in every five people is living with HIV. Many 

have died of AIDS, from the middle genera- 

Seven more groups have been formed thanks to 

the pioneering of the “Lusubilo” self-help group. 

Photo: Gerhard Bärtschi/Mission 21 

tion in particular. This is why very large numbers 

of orphans are living in this region, and 

most of them are left to fend for themselves. 

Several of them are HIV-positive. Here too, 

Mission 21 adopts a holistic approach: the children 

are supported with educational projects, 

and they receive psychosocial assistance from 

trained church co-workers. HIV-positive children 

receive appropriate medical information 

and care. 

Basic healthcare in the countryside is also 

inadequate, because the government does a 

poor job of maintaining the infrastructure – 

roads, power and water supplies. The social 

and medical services offered by the Moravian 

Church are therefore indispensable in the rural 

areas of the South and South-West Provinces. 

Mission 21’s partner church operates 

one hospital in Isoko and another in Mbozi, as 

well as maintaining various associated healthcare 

services. There are plans to improve the 

hospitals’ facilities with new equipment, and 

the healthcare project is to be expanded in the 

future. Trauma surgeon and senior physician 

Jens Marcus Albrecht, who is carrying out 

an assignment lasting several years for 

Mission 21, will contribute to these improvements 

on the ground from July 2019 onwards: 

“We aim to enable as many patients as possible 

to resume their lives quickly with no 

restrictions after an accident, for example.” 

An important contribution to the UN’s 

Development Goals 

Health is a human right. It is both an objective 

and a result of sustainable development. 

This is why better health for all is included 

in the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals 

(SDGs) that form part of its 2030 Agenda. 

Through its healthcare programme in Tanzania, 

Mission 21 is actively endeavouring to implement 

goal no. 3: “Ensure healthy lives and 

promote well-being for all at all ages.” 

Meret Jobin, Public Relations Team 

14 15


Peru 

Strong women for sustainable 

village communities 

The Southern Andes 

region of Peru is a 

predominantly rural 

area where women 

are often socially, politically 

and economically 

disadvantaged. 

Photo: Bruno Biermann/ 

Mission 21 

Many indigenous women in Peru’s Southern Andes are at a disadvantage because 

of their inadequate school education. They are given few opportunities to have 

their say in society, and they have virtually no chance of earning the income that 

they so urgently need. Mission 21’s literacy project provides holistic support for 

these women through education. 

In the rural Southern Andes of Peru, where the 

population is largely indigenous, many women 

aged over 30 cannot read or write adequately. 

In the country as a whole, 2.5 times more women 

(10%) than men (4%) are affected by illiteracy. 

Because of this gap in their education, many 

women are disadvantaged and marginalised at 

the social, political and economic levels. 

“Literacy project in the Southern Andes of Peru” 

The literacy project in the Southern Andes of Peru is part of the 

Latin America continental programme (no. 400.1001). Support with 

reading, writing and arithmetic is provided for indigenous women 

from rural areas in particular. They also acquire knowledge about 

agriculture, diet, health and women’s rights. 91 women and nine 

men from six hamlets are currently participating in the project. 

However, the overall reach of this project is significantly broader 

because the women act as multipliers, passing their knowledge 

on to their families and the village community. As a result of their 

education, they are accorded more respect and are less vulnerable 

to abuses such as domestic violence or human trafficking. This 

project helps the target population to have its own voice in politics 

and society. Several beneficiaries of the project now occupy management 

positions and are actively involved in the development 

of their communities. This project is run by “ALFALIT en el Perú”, 

an evangelical development service, with support from Mission 21. 

The literacy programme is assigned number 476.1019. 

Women in an Alfalit class. 

Photo: Mission 21 

Virginia Huaquisto Ampuero, aged 36, has 

also realised this. Virginia is married with 

three daughters aged 16, 8 and 2. “As a woman, 

I didn’t dare to speak up at community meetings 

in the past,” she recalls. “But now, I know 

my capabilities and rights – and I also know 

that as a woman, I can have my say about life 

in the village.” 

She gained this new self-confidence in the 

literacy project run by Alfalit, one of Mission 21’s 

partner organisations, where she learns reading, 

writing and arithmetic. The project also 

covers many other topics such as nutrition, 

healthcare, the environment, domestic violence, 

women’s rights, personal and social development, 

and productive initiatives. 

Greater self-confidence 

Virginia’s newly acquired knowledge radiates 

into many areas of her life. Before she took 

part in the Alfalit project, she lived a very 

withdrawn life; she was unhappy and fearful. 

Thanks to the Alfalit courses, Virginia has acquired 

practical skills that have helped her to 

overcome her fears: “Previously, I hardly dared 

to speak with my neighbours. Nowadays, I often 

meet up with other women and I’m less isolated. 

This makes me very happy, and gives me 

strength.” 

Her marriage has also improved thanks to 

Alfalit: “My husband used to be a macho character. 

He took all the decisions for our family. 

What’s more, I was left to cope with a large 

part of the family tasks and the agricultural 

work, while he did whatever he wanted – going 

out to play football and drink with his 

friends, for instance.” Virginia never used to 

defend herself against these inequities. At Alfalit, 

she learned a lot about equal rights for 

men and women, and she began to stand up 

for her own needs. “My husband and I understand 

one another better now; we are close 

together, instead of each of us sitting stubbornly 

in their corner. Nowadays, we plan our 

everyday activities together, we support each 

other and we carry out the work that’s needed 

in the house and on the farm before anyone 

goes out.” 

A better life at every level 

Like most of the families in Peru’s Southern 

Andes, Virginia and her family live by meeting 

their own needs. As well as livestock farming, 

they also cultivate vegetable plots. But 

the difficult conditions for agriculture in the 

highlands present problems for many small 

farmers. Malnutrition and poor diet are widespread. 

For this reason, participants in the 

literacy course are also educated about ecological 

fertilisers and better methods of cultivation. 

This improves the families’ health, 

and also strengthens them economically. Improved 

harvest yields make it possible to sell 

the surpluses. For women like Virginia, additional 

income of this sort is urgently needed 

– for example, to pay the children’s school 

expenses. 

Mission 21’s Responsible Programme Officer 

for Peru, Claudia Quispe-Rampa, has this 

to say about the project’s successes: “There 

Virginia Huaquisto 

Ampuero: 

“Today, I know 

my rights!” 

Photo: provided 

Project contributions for education 

Total: CHF 2 260 065 

In Africa: 

CHF 886 078 

In Asia: 

CHF 659 755 

In Latin America: 

CHF 534 975 

Intercontinental: 

CHF 179 257 

0 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 

have been significant increases in the project 

beneficiaries’ verbal communication skills 

and self-confidence.” This is also evident from 

the way course participants consistently take 

part in local decision-making processes. “They 

have their say during community meetings, 

they contribute their opinions, and they are 

pushing initiatives forward. They really are 

able to change things in their communities.” 

Franziska Vogel and Mara Wirthlin, 

Communications Department 

16 

17


Indonesia 

Interfaith Youth Camps 

and Peace Villages support 

peaceful coexistence 

Radical Islamic organisations are exerting increased influence in the country with 

the world’s largest Muslim population. Groups such as Jakatarub, based in Bandung, 

show their commitment to counteracting this tendency by organising activities 

to promote interfaith understanding that have an impact on the public. For example: 

Mission 21 provides support for Jakatarub to stage an Interfaith Youth Camp. 

“Interfaith collaboration for peace and justice” 

The Jakatarub network’s efforts to bring about 

interfaith understanding achieved an especially 

positive result in 2018. For the first time, 

school students at a Muslim boarding school 

(pesantren) took part as guests in the youth 

camp for Christians, Muslims, Buddhists and 

Hindus. In previous years, each participant 

registered individually for this event, but now a 

Muslim institution was also brought on board. 

This project is part of the Asia cooperation programme (no. 

225.1001). The main goals are to empower people to develop peaceful 

relationships based on equal rights across religious divides, to 

prevent violent conflicts and to weaken fundamentalist groups. To 

achieve this, Mission 21 supports the establishment and development 

of interfaith networks that link young adults together. In 2018, 

about 9 960 individuals benefited directly from these activities, 

for example at the Religions Expo in Banjarmasin (Borneo) or the 

Interfaith Youth Camp in Bandung (West Java). Peace work is to 

be gradually expanded in 2019: in collaboration with the Wahid 

Foundation, certifications will be awarded to Peace Villages whose 

populations actively advocate peaceful coexistence and gender 

equity. The “Interfaith collaboration for peace and justice” project 

is assigned number 225.1007. 

Jakatarub draws public attention to its concerns by organising 

street campaigns. Photo: Filmstill/Jakatarub 

This outstanding success comes as the result 

of Jakatarub’s persistent work. For some 

years now, the network has been organising 

Interfaith Youth Camps of this sort in Bandung, 

an Indonesian city with a population 

of over two million. At the latest event in the 

series, 100 young people and young adults 

gathered together in a relaxed ambience to 

attend workshops and presentations, and to 

meet one another. Jakatarub’s objectives are to 

arouse understanding for other religions and 

to dismantle prejudices. Former participants 

(known as ’alumni’) now help to organise and 

manage the camp themselves – a sure sign that 

this work is producing a lasting impact. 

Active in a province where religious 

intolerance is prevalent 

In addition to the camp, Jakatarub organises 

about 160 other activities each year, ranging 

from spontaneous street campaigns to Muslim 

fast-breaking ceremonies in a church. 

Pastor Supriatno of the Pasundan Christian 

Church (Gereja Kristen Pasundan, GKP), one 

of Mission 21’s partner churches, is delighted 

that activities such as these are producing an 

impact: “Understanding for other religions and 

for pluralism is growing among people who are 

reached by these activities – and it’s encouraging 

that this is happening among young people 

in particular.” This is also exerting an influence 

on the wider population, he adds: “Activists 

for interfaith understanding have generally 

strengthened the movement of groups in 

civil society in Bandung.” 

The Pasundan Church supports Jakatarub’s 

work with help from Mission 21. The church’s 

persistent efforts to bring about peaceful religious 

coexistence are courageous, because 

the environment tends to be hostile. A large 

proportion of the population in the province 

Participants in the 2018 Interfaith Youth Camp – photos such as this one 

are shared widely on social media. Photo: Jakatarub 

of West Java and in Bandung, its capital, are 

considered to be exceptionally intolerant as 

regards religion. The Pasundan Church is a 

small minority with only 33 000 members, 

and it is under pressure. For example, it is unable 

to use some of its churches due to threats 

from Muslim hardliners. 

Pastor Supriatno, who currently supports 

interfaith activities throughout Indonesia as 

the key coordinator for Mission 21, notes with 

regret that overall sentiment has hardened. 

“Muslim preachers of hatred and threats from 

radical organisations are on the increase. Violent 

attacks on interfaith institutions are also 

taking place.” This gives added importance to 

the numerous interfaith groups. Others are active 

alongside Jakatarub: examples include the 

Pelita Group in the city of Cirebon, West Java, 

which was founded by alumni of the Jakatarub 

network. 

Religions Expo attracts 7000 visitors 

Mission 21 supports interfaith work in other 

regions of Indonesia and at various social levels. 

In the Javanese city of Yogyakarta, known 

as the “Capital of Education”, students are 

encouraged to engage in interfaith exchange. 

Christian and Muslim students of theology 

spend a certain amount of their study time in 

the other religion’s residential homes. 

LK3, the Muslim organisation in Banjarmasin, 

South Borneo, is in even closer contact 

with the general public. It advocates a tolerant 

Islam, collaborates closely with the GKE 

(Gereja Kristen Evangelis/Evangelical Church 

in Kalimantan), Mission 21’s partner church 

there, and also receives support from Basel. 

LK3 organises a “Religions Expo” each year. 

In 2018, 36 organisations of different religious 

colourings staged presentations at this event; 

the Expo attracted the encouraging number of 

7000 visitors. 

Project contributions for 

peace promotion 

Total: CHF 634 691 

In Africa: 

CHF 226 269 

In Asia: 

CHF 408 422 

0 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 

Peace Villages against hatred 

Given that religious freedom in Indonesia is 

coming under increasing pressure from Islamist 

groups and hardliners, it is crucially 

important to foster trust across religious divides 

and to build up peaceful relationships. 

An effective way of achieving this is to support 

groups that aim to bring about peaceful coexistence 

among religions in the country with 

the world’s largest Muslim population, as a 

means of strengthening social bonding. 

For this reason, Mission 21 intends to expand 

its interfaith peace work in Indonesia on a 

significant scale; as a new development, it will 

collaborate with the Wahid Foundation. “The 

Wahid Foundation has an impressive concept,” 

Supriatno states with conviction. “It goes into 

the villages, provides economic support for 

women on the one hand and, on the other, encourages 

them to advocate religious tolerance 

in order to immunise their fellow residents 

against preachers of hatred, so to speak. The 

objective is for the community to declare that 

their village is a Peace Village.” Villages that 

meet the criteria are also officially certified 

as Wahid Peace Villages. Mission 21 supports 

this project as a way of stepping up its contribution 

to interfaith peace and, in general 

terms, to peaceful coexistence in Indonesia. 

Christoph Rácz, 

Team Leader, Public Relations Work 

18 19


Women and Gender Administrative Department 

Advocating gender equity 

across the globe 

Mission 21 is part of an international movement for gender equity. Gender 

equity is achieved when every human being – irrespective of gender and 

sexual orientation – can lead a life free of discrimination. Mission 21 has 

the vision of a world where human rights are also fully and completely valid 

for women. In order to turn this vision into a reality, the Women and Gender 

Staff Unit at Mission 21 operates at three strategic levels: gender mainstreaming, 

advocacy, and the advancement of women who support gender 

equity in their organisations – women such as Ebed Grijalva, Obertina 

Johanis and Suzan Mark. 

Obertina Johanis, 

Indonesia 

Obertina Johanis is a pastor and counsellor in the Pasundan 

Christian Church (GKP), Mission 21’s partner church in West 

Java. She works for the GKP’s Durebang Centre, where 

women can find refuge and advice when they have fallen 

victim to violence. As a coordinator for Mission 21, she 

supports and expands the network of women in Asia. She 

is involved in the fight against human trafficking and for the 

rights of young women who emigrate as migrant workers 

to Hong Kong or Malaysia, where they are often ill-treated 

or exploited. Obertina Johanis also focuses special efforts on 

prevention, and on strengthening and educating young 

women so that they can find alternatives to labour migration. 

Palestinian 

territories 

China 

South Korea 

Japan 

India 

Hong Kong 

Taiwan 

Nigeria 

Costa Rica 

Ghana 

Cameroon 

South Sudan 

Malaysia 

Indonesia 

Ebed Adai Grijalva 

Yauri, Peru 

Peru 

Bolivia 

DR Congo 

Tanzania 

Ebed Adai Grijalva Yauri is a delegate to the Synod, 

Mission 21’s senior decision-making body. She is a 

trained accountant, and she holds a Master’s degree 

in management and finance. She currently heads the 

Ecumenical Centre for Promotion and Social Action 

(CEDEPAS) in Peru, of which she is the Director. 

Ebed Grijalva also chairs the network of Mission 21’s 

Peruvian partners, where she has advocated the 

strengthening of women and their participation in 

decision-making bodies for many years. 

Chile 

South Africa 

Suzan Mark, 

Nigeria 

For several years, Suzan Mark has headed the entire 

Work with Women section of the Church of the Brethren, 

Nigeria (Ekklesiyar Yan’uwa a Nigeria, EYN), Mission 21’s 

partner church in Nigeria. By carrying out this remit, she 

strengthens women in various contexts – for example, 

through activities to promote mother-and-child health or 

by means of literacy courses. In 2018, Suzan Mark was intensively 

involved in providing support for women afflicted 

by the terrorist activities of the Boko Haram group. She 

supported these women in their everyday lives, on arrival 

at their places of refuge, and especially with overcoming 

their trauma. In these ways, she helped the victims to 

regain their courage and boost their sense of self-worth. 

20 21

Participants in the Youth Ambassadors 

Programme during the 2018 Synod in Aarau. 

Photo: Tobias Frey/Mission 21 

Education Exchange 

and Research 

Mission 21 sees educational work in Switzerland as an inseparable element of its worldwide 

programme and project work. In 2018, we reached over 5000 individuals personally through 

the services we offer. We raise participants’ awareness of current global challenges, and 

we encourage and empower them to advocate solidarity, justice and peace in their environments. 

Through these activities, we are playing our part in implementing the Sustainable 

Development Goals set out in the UN’s 2030 Agenda. In the educational sector, we focus principally 

on Goal 16: “Promote peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development.” 

This is also the basis for our focus on interfaith peace work in Switzerland. We implement 

the gender mainstreaming approach, and we are certified with the eduQua label. 

22 

23

Education Exchange and Research 

Bringing about interfaith 

understanding: 

a form of peace work 

Contributors of stimulating 

presentations at 

Mission 21’s interfaith 

symposium on “Gender 

roles in the religions” 

(left to right): Esma 

Isis-Arnautovic, Magdalena 

Zimmermann, 

Amira Hafner-Al Jabaji 

and Ahmad Mansour. 

Photo: Mara Wirthlin/ 

Mission 21 

In Switzerland, Mission 21’s educational work raises awareness about the themes of 

our worldwide programme and project work in the global south. In 2018, over 5000 

individuals took advantage of an educational service offered by Mission 21. As they 

did so, they also learned more about the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals. 

Mission 21’s offering focuses on the correlation 

between religion and development. Public 

events such as the “Dialogue International” 

series make people aware of development 

policy topics and inform them about burning 

issues in the countries with which we are in 

direct contact through our partner churches 

and organisations. They offer a forum for critical 

examination of the importance of religion 

for sustainable development. They highlight 

opportunities for participants to take action 

in the context of their professional practice or 

honorary positions. 

The course programme is continuously 

updated and adapted to take account of new 

issues. One particularly relevant course at 

present is: “The UN’s 2030 Agenda – how can 

the goals be achieved?” It affords insights into 

the historical origins of the Sustainable Development 

Goals (SDGs)‚ takes their content 

as material for discussion, and relates them to 

examples of experiences gained in Mission 21’s 

programme work: what practical and effective 

steps can be taken to combat hunger and poverty, 

to improve healthcare and education, and 

to advocate peace and justice? What makes 

development sustainable, and how can we ourselves 

contribute to this objective at the local 

level? 

Symposium on gender roles in the religions 

For several years, Mission 21 has organised 

symposiums on interfaith peace work attended 

by large numbers of specialists on church affairs, 

migration, asylum, security and school 

education, and from the healthcare sector. The 

gathering on 5 March 2018, devoted to “Gender 

roles in the religions”, met with great interest 

and attracted an extensive media presence. 

Four experts on psychology, Islamic studies 

and development cooperation gave presentations 

and led workshops. They included Ahmad 

Mansour, the German-Palestinian psychologist 

and expert on Islamism, and Amira Hafner-Al 

Psychologist and extremism 

expert Ahmad Mansour in Basel: 

patriarchal structures as a 

cause of extremism. 


Jabaji, moderator of the SRF (Swiss Broadcasting 

Corporation) “Sternstunde” discussion programme. 

The event made it clear that gender roles and 

patriarchy are not primarily attributable to 

individual religions but rather to the complex 

interaction of cultural, economic and historical 

factors. Ahmad Mansour provided some food for 

thought: “I see that the debate is being conducted 

in a very polarising and moralising way. On 

the one hand, religions – and Islam in particular 

– are often demonised as oppressive evils. And 

on the other hand, there is a ‘multi-culti-naiveté’ 

that downplays problematic religious content 

and practices.” Mansour added that a subtly differentiated 

debate – such as the one encouraged 

by this symposium – was necessary in order to 

identify where religions might be instrumentalised 

to legitimise and consolidate patriarchal 

structures, and where they could offer potential 

for conferring equal rights. 

Interfaith Women’s Parliament 

Mission 21 collaborates with many organisations 

that are committed to promoting interfaith 

dialogue in Switzerland. One expression 

of this cooperation is the Interfaith Women’s 

Parliament, which convened on 24 June 2018 

in Zurich to focus on the visibility of women 

of different religions in society and politics. 

Many women are active in their communities, 

and they undertake huge voluntary efforts to 

integrate their members into our society. Nevertheless, 

they are often ignored. Two female 

Zurich politicians, Jacqueline Fehr (Member 

of the Government Council) and Barbara 

Schmid-Federer (Member of the National 

Council) responded to the concerns of about 

one hundred women from five different religions. 

The participants agreed that although 

their participation is desired, they are under-represented 

in decision-making bodies. 

The idea of an interfaith umbrella organisation 

for women that would assert their concerns in 

public was welcomed with enthusiasm. The 

Women’s Parliament was in agreement that 

women should cease to be invisible as the unofficial 

“social capital” of society and the religious 

communities. Mission 21’s commitment 

to this forum shows how important it is for our 

organisation to support gender equity. 

Christian Weber, Director of Studies, Education 

Exchange and Research Department 

In 2018, a total of 

5220 woman, 

men and young people 

attendet Mission 21’s 

courses and events. 

3268 adults were therefore inspired and motivated 

by 124 courses 

Also 

1254 specialists 

and interested individuals, 

ranging from social workers to professors, acquired stimulating 

information and new knowledge at17 events. 

24 25


Today’s young people benefit from global digital networking; they find themselves 

facing challenges that impact the entire planet. Through the young@mission21 

network, Mission 21 offers young adults the chance not only to work on issues 

such as migration, environmental protection and interfaith understanding, but also 

to go into action themselves – especially under the auspices of Mission 21’s Youth 

Ambassadors Programme. 

With sustainability in mind, it is a high priority 

for Mission 21 to interest young adults in 

our organisation’s objectives and to motivate 

them to take part. The Youth Ambassadors 

Programme has a key role in this context. The 

programme’s first round was completed successfully 

in 2018. During the first stage in 2017, 

young adults became familiar with cultural 

and religious realities in Africa, Asia and Latin 

America. Then in 2018, 19 international youth 

ambassadors made their way to Switzerland. 

The youth ambassadors also took part 

in the Synod sessions. Photo: André Albrecht 

Developing the future 

in diversity 

In between events such as intercultural training 

sessions and theme evenings on burning 

issues of world affairs, youth ambassadors 

from different continents got to know one another 

and exchanged ideas about the realities 

of their lives. 

The programme also included visits to the 

Continental Assembly of Europe – the European 

conference held in advance of Mission 21’s 

annual Synod – and to the Mission Synod itself. 

One exceptionally enriching activity was par- 

ticipation in the International Youth Summit, 

which provided opportunities to meet young 

adults from Switzerland with an interest in 

the issues that Mission 21 addresses. 

Second round of the Youth Ambassadors 

Programme is launched 

These activities were followed in November 

by the final evaluation weekend of the Youth 

Ambassadors Programme, when the European 

youth ambassadors were also awarded 

their Certificates of Intercultural Awareness 

in collaboration with the Lucerne Institute for 

Communication & Leadership (IKF). Feedback 

and evaluations were used as input for planning 

the next round of the Youth Ambassadors 

Programme. 

In 2019, the second round of the Youth Ambassadors 

Programme is to be launched with 

support from the Mercator Foundation Switzerland. 

This time, the title is: “Our world – developing 

the future in diversity”. 18 free places 

are again available for young people from 

Switzerland. They will join a similar number 

of youth ambassadors from Asia, Latin 

America and Africa on a journey that will take 

them to different countries, cultures and communities 

of faith. 

Participation and commitment 

It was very encouraging to see 

the exceptionally large number of 

young professionals who showed 

interest in the PEP! professional 

exposure programme last year. 

Nine young women and men carried 

out assignments lasting up 

to twelve months in Tanzania 

and Hong Kong. 

For the first time, young@ 

mission21 organised an international 

youth conference in 2018. 

This event, which took place in 

Aarau, focused on the issues of 

“Flight and Migration”. Over 60 

young adults from all over the 

world addressed the issue of asylum 

in Switzerland, the situation 

of migrants in Hong Kong, flight 

and migration in Africa and other 

thought-provoking topics. The 

day was brought to a close by a 

joint solidarity action with the 

Youth Festival in Aarau. 

The Joint Action for the Environment took 

place in the last week of September. Smallscale 

as well as more extensive activities were 

undertaken in Cameroon, Tanzania, Indonesia, 

South Korea and Switzerland, with the 

aim of promoting environmental protection. 

The young people planted trees, collected 

rubbish and lived according to the zero-waste 

principle for a whole week. The joint hashtag 

#youngat-mission21jointaction was used to 

publicise and share the individual activities 

via social media. 

One particularly encouraging aspect: 

young adults were mainly responsible for developing 

and organising all the offerings and 

events. They took part in the preparations for 

the Youth Summit and the North-South Day, 

with 100 young people involved in Berne. They 

also demonstrated their own initiative when 

it came to choosing the theme for the Joint Action 

and carrying it out. 

Veronika Henschel, 

Project Leader, Young Adults 

More than 740 young people 

became involved with Mission 21’s 

key themes in 2018. 

45 

young adults 

demonstrated their in-depth interest in our work: 

9 young professionals took part in the PEP! 

Professional Exposure Programme. 

36 young people took on commitments in Mission 21’s 

Youth Ambassadors Programme. 

Almost 700 young people completed 

50 courses offered by Mission 21. 

26 27


Research 

A productive source for 

promoting academic research 

A tree for peace – planted by children in 

the children’s day camp of the Arlesheim 

church congregation. 

Photo: Miriam Glass/Mission 21 

Mission 21’s library and archive offer an abundance of information 

on a very diverse range of subjects. They also make 

an important contribution towards the Sustainability Goals 

stated in the UN’s 2030 Agenda. 

Rebuilt and re-equipped 

at a new location 

after it was destroyed, 

thanks in part to aid 

from Mission 21: the 

seminary library of the 

Nile Theological College 

in Juba (South Sudan). 

Photo: provided 

In 2018, both of Mission 21’s research facilities 

focused intensively on the UN’s 17 Sustainable 

Development Goals (SDGs). The management 

of our reference library procured the latest 

specialised literature on the SDGs. In this way, 

we aim to play our part in enabling the public 

to obtain in-depth information about these issues. 

The Research Archive receives increasingly 

frequent visits by specialists in various 

subjects from our partner countries. It is actively 

endeavouring to improve its infrastructure 

in keeping with SDG 9, which addresses 

sustainability as such: we are also digitizing 

our holdings so that they will be accessible locally 

in the partner countries in the future. 

Diverse range of research topics 

Large numbers of international researchers 

visited our archive and our specialist library 

In 2018, usage of the library and the research archive by 

researchers increased by about 10% year-on-year: 

78 researchers 

worked in the archive and the library, for lengthy 

periods in some cases. 

We recorded a total of482 days of usage in the reading room. 

1322 books were borrowed. 29 

again in 2018. Several Master’s theses were 

completed. Other academics are currently 

working on dissertations with the help of 

sources from the research archive. The range 

of topics is very diverse: one Swedish dissertation 

deals with demographic development 

in Africa, especially in Cameroon and Nigeria, 

during the 19th and early 20th centuries. 

A Dutch dissertation on architectural history 

compares five types of building dating from 

the 19th century that are associated with colonialism; 

they include the Basel Mission House, 

as the representative building of a religious organisation. 

Also, a Polish dissertation on the 

writing of history examines the historiography 

of the Taiping Rebellion in China. 

A number of books published on the basis 

of our records in 2018 provide evidence of the 

sustained academic interest in Mission 21’s archive. 

Pascal Schmid, for example, published 

“Medicine, Faith and Politics in Agogo. A history 

of health care delivery in rural Ghana ca. 

1925–1980”; Claudia Hoffmann is the author 

of “Fremdbegegnung – das Totenritual Tiwah 

and die Basler Mission in kontakttheologischer 

Perspektive” (“Encounter with the Unknown 

– the Tiwah Death Ritual and the Basel 

Mission, from the Perspective of Contact 

Theology”). Jaiprakash Raghaviah published 

“Faith and Industrial Reformation. Basel Mission 

in Malabar and South Canara”. 

Records of the Trading Companies 

Mission 21 intends to provide access to the 

holding of documents of the Basel Trading 

Companies (“Handlungsgesellschaften”) in 

the future. The first preparatory work for this 

purpose was undertaken in 2018. This holding, 

which is unique in Switzerland, documents 

the country’s foreign trade relations in 

the 19th and 20th centuries, with Africa and 

Asia in particular. By providing access to the 

documents, the aim is to make them available 

for research purposes. Professors from Switzerland 

and abroad have written a Letter of 

Intent pointing out the importance of this 

holding for global history, and stating their 

readiness to use it for research. 

Patrick Moser, 

Member of the Academic Staff of the Archiv 

Donations 

Annual Financial 

Statement 

Organisation 

28

Donations 

Arlesheim’s efforts to support peace 

The bazaar is an experience 

for the whole community 

Two helpers at the 

bazaar: their cheerful 

mood is infectious! 


If the bazaar of the Arlesheim Reformed 

Church Congregation was a tree, it would have 

an impressive trunk. By 2018, it would have 

gained 70 annual growth rings. Last November 

– for the 70th time – the helpers (who now 

number 150) organised and staged this church 

bazaar, which is popular throughout the region. 

An event that has taken place without interruptions 

since 1948 should also maintain its 

established position on the village’s calendar 

in the future. For Kathrin Meffert-Ruf, President 

of the Church Congregation, one thing is 

clear: the bazaar that takes place on the second 

weekend of November is an institution that 

radiates its aura far beyond the church’s own 

congregation. 

Volunteers and honorary workers also provide 

effective and valuable support for Mission 21. 

In the offertory association, over 300 collectors 

contributed the pleasing total of 

CHF 

The bazaar organised by the Arlesheim church congregation 

is truly a win-win event: it benefits both the congregation 

and Mission 21. As well as many members of the church 

congregation, the bazaar team mobilises numerous groups 

and volunteers from Arlesheim – who, in turn, receive support 

from the congregation. This successful bazaar also benefits 

Mission 21’s projects. In 2018, the proceeds were allocated to 

project work in Cameroon. 

89 812. 

During 2018, about 150 volunteers carried 

out activities in support of Mission 21 

for a total of2000 hours. 

This event creates valuable goodwill for the 

church, and it offers an essential platform for 

the diverse activities undertaken by the church 

congregation. By no means least, it generates a 

remarkable amount of revenue that benefits 

Mission 21’s projects. For some years now, the 

church administration has been convinced that 

Mission 21 and its partners carry out effective 

work in the countries of the south. The impact 

of the bazaar within the church congregation is 

also very valuable. The many volunteers (most 

of whom have been helping out with the bazaar 

for many years) are visible sources of invigoration 

for the congregation. This strengthens the 

community across all the generations. 

Basic healthcare also includes dispensing effective medicines. 

Photo: Heiner Heine/Mission 21 

Ecumenical group picture: 

Evangelical Pastor 

Thomas Mory, Pastor 

Sylvester Ihuoma of the 

Catholic sister church in 

Arlesheim, and Church 

Council President Kathrin 

Meffert (left to right). 


“Do something to support other people!” 

Kathrin Meffert has been President of the 

Church Congregation since January 2019. 

Kathrin, who practices locally as a paediatrician, 

was previously an active member of the 

church administration for ten years. Despite 

taking on the presidency, she has retained her 

responsibility for the bazaar. The bazaar and 

the church are two essential aspects of her life 

story. She grew up in Arlesheim, her mother 

was a doctor before her, and her father was the 

parish priest for 32 years. Commitment to society 

was therefore part of her self-perception 

from an early stage. And when asked about the 

purpose of the bazaar, and about church life in 

the parish, she quite naturally responds: “Of 

course, it’s clear that we should do something 

to support other people!” 

She receives support from the three-strong 

core bazaar team and the extended team that 

consists of the people looking after the various 

stands as well as those in charge of the kitchen, 

coffee shop and many other services that 

are offered. Vigorous support for the bazaar 

also comes from the three members of the 

pastoral staff and their families, as well as the 

employees of the church congregation. How 

is it possible to recruit so many volunteers for 

the bazaar? According to Kathrin Meffert, the 

reason is that the church congregation also 

persuades organisations outside the church to 

back the cause. “We support a whole series of 

socially active groups in the village. And they, 

in turn, undertake to offer an activity or a stand 

at the bazaar. This makes the bazaar weekend 

into an experience for the entire village, with 

the participation of organisations such as the 

Women’s Association, the Oasis Family Centre, 

the Werkstar work integration institution, the 

Pathfinders and the Youth Centre.” With the 

products and services they offer, they all help 

Cameroon cooperation programme 

The Cameroon cooperation programme (no. 

134.1001) groups together Mission 21’s projects that 

aim to enable people in Cameroon to live better 

lives in dignity. From the proceeds of the bazaar 

alone, the church congregation of Arlesheim has 

donated CHF 17 000 for various Mission 21 projects 

in Cameroon. To take just one example: this contribution 

provided effective support for HIV work, 

which continues to focus on prevention. Preventive 

campaigns were carried out in schools, communities 

and healthcare facilities in collaboration with 

the Presbyterian Church in Cameroon (PCC), one of 

Mission 21’s partner churches. Even in the current 

political crisis situation, Mission 21 and the PCC are 

endeavouring to maintain healthcare for the rural 

population. 

the bazaar to come alive and they also attract 

people who prefer to keep a distance from the 

church as well as those in interdenominational 

organisations. 

Strengthening the community, promoting 

peace 

The revenue is impressive: last year, the church 

congregation was able to transfer CHF 17 000 

to Mission 21 – in addition to the already generous 

amount sent to us from the congregation’s 

accounts. The highest income is reported from 

the “Meals for Guests” that take place after the 

bazaar weekend. Tickets for these meals can 

be purchased at the bazaar itself. Volunteers 

offer a meal at their homes for four to ten people. 

Kathrin Meffert points out that new friendships 

are struck up in this way, thus helping the 

community to grow. Another strong earner at 

the bazaar that also fosters the community is 

the coffee shop, where people meet up between 

activities and visits to the stands. 

Each year, the bazaar team selects a motto 

that is in line with Mission 21’s work. “Together 

for peace” was the motto for 2018. The church 

congregation’s day camp for children has planted 

a tree next to the church, to express its commitment 

to the environment and to peace. This 

is a strong symbol with regard to Mission 21’s 

partners: especially in the countries of the 

south, newly planted trees symbolise hope in 

two ways. By protecting the soil against erosion, 

they preserve valuable habitats for humans and 

animals – and this can have the effect of defusing 

conflicts. In this way, trees make a very real 

and important contribution to peace: and as 

they grow larger and more majestic each year, 

they bear witness to the importance of peace. 

Friedrich Weibel, 

Church Partnerships Coordinator 

30 31

Donations 

Sustainable project development thanks to 

thanks to charitable foundations 

Peace grows with us – 

in Nigeria, for example 

People are yearning for peace. Our partner 

churches play an important part in peace 

work. In countries such as Nigeria or South 

Sudan, our partners are often the last beacons 

of hope for reconciliation. For many years, 

these countries have witnessed violent confrontations 

that plunge the people into extreme 

distress and despair. 

Director Claudia Bandixen in discussion with Binta Bakari of 

the relief organisation LCGI on the site of Gurku Peace Village. 

Photo: Julia Henke/Mission 21 

Can it ever be possible to restore peace between 

Christians and Muslims in Nigeria, and 

to strengthen people who are suffering because 

of terrorism? The answer is: yes. Money 

from donations has been used to establish 

the Peace Village of Gurku in a safe area in the 

north of Nigeria. Thus far, about 1200 victims 

from both religious communities have settled 

here. They work together to overcome their 

traumatising experiences. These people learn 

from one another; they respect each other, 

and they extend their hands to one another in 

friendship again. They live in harmony, and 

they sow the seeds of peace by their example. 

Mission 21 supports both Christians and 

Muslims in Nigeria as they travel the road towards 

peaceful coexistence. 

Far-reaching changes of this sort, such as 

those in the Gurku Peace Village in Nigeria, 

are also possible at other locations thanks to 

the financing of our programmes and projects 

by foundations, political municipalities, cantons 

and the Lottery Fund. During the year 

under review, new financing partners joined 

the ranks of the various institutions that have 

already been supporting Mission 21 and the 

work of its partners for many years. Contributions 

from institutional sponsors rose by a 

total of over 60% year-on-year. 

As regards private donors and church sponsors, 

Mission 21 was also able to report increases 

of over 2% and over 3% respectively, as 

compared to the multi-year average. In total, 

including legacies, this resulted in an increase 

of over 13% in income during 2018. We wish to 

thank all donors, churches and – in particular 

– all institutional sponsors for the trust that 

they place in in Mission 21, and for their excellent 

collaboration over the long term. Peace 

grows with all of us. 

Dario Brühlmann, 

Head of the Communications and Marketing 

Department 

Distributing food in the interfaith Peace Village of Gurku. 

Photo: Jonathan Liechti 

List of donations 

Interfaith peace work in Nigeria 

Peace work in Nigeria is more urgently needed than 

ever before. Violence perpetrated by the Boko Haram 

terrorist militia in the north-east as well as violent 

conflicts among different ethnic groups in central 

Nigeria have inflicted suffering on millions of people, 

causing long-term damage to the relationship 

between Christians and Muslims. Mission 21 supports 

its partners on the ground with their efforts 

to support and strengthen people who advocate the 

peaceful coexistence of different ethnic and religious 

groups. Since 2018, Lifeline Compassionate Global 

Initiatives (LCGI), the regional relief organisation, has 

been involved in emergency relief and reconciliation 

work in central Nigeria. At three other locations in 

north-eastern Nigeria, the Church of the Brethren, 

Nigeria (EYN) has set up forums to promote interfaith 

understanding; it has also staged a highly successful 

peace conference in the Federal State of Adamawa. 

The “Interfaith Peace Work” project is assigned project 

number 162.1007. 

Church congregations, cantonal churches and church institutions which 

supported Mission 21 with contributions of CHF 50 000 or more in 2018: 

(in alphabetical order by place name) 

Evangelical-Reformed Church of Basel-Stadt; Evangelical-Reformed United Church Congregation of 

Berne; Protestant Solidarity Switzerland, Berne; Federation of Swiss Protestant Churches (FSPC); 

Evangelical-Reformed United Church Congregation of Biel/Bienne; Evangelical-Reformed Church 

Congregation of Binningen-Bottmingen; Evangelical-Reformed Church Congregation of Hilterfingen; 

Church Congregation of Horgen; Evangelical Regional Church in Baden, Karlsruhe; Evangelical-Reformed 

Church of Lucerne; Evangelical-Reformed Church Congregation of Rapperswil-Jona; 

Evangelical-Reformed Church of Schaffhausen; Evangelical-Reformed Church of St. Gallen; UEPAL 

- Union des Églises protestantes d’Alsace et de Lorraine, Strasbourg; Evangelical-Reformed Church 

Congregation of Thun. 

These institutions and foundations supported Mission 21 

with donations of CHF 10 000 or more in 2018: 


Canton of Aargau; Hand in Hand Institute, Balzers; Basel Mission, Basel; Agency for Development 

and Cooperation of the Swiss Confederation (SDC), Berne; Mukiba Association, Küssnacht am Rigi; 

Commune of Riehen; Sanitas Foundation Davos, Schwyz; Basel Mission German Branch (BMDZ), 

Stuttgart; Evangelical Mission in Solidarity (EMS), Stuttgart; Municipality of Uster; Solidarity Third 

World Foundation, Wädenswil; Evangelical Association for World Mission (EAWM), Vienna; Department 

of Finance of the City of Zurich. 

Local associations and groups which gave support of more 

than CHF 5000: 


Bazaar of the Church Congregation of Affoltern am Albis; Arlesheim Bazaar Group; Bazaar of the 

Church Congregation of the Holy Spirit, Berne; Flawil Mission Work Group; Frauenfeld Mission Work 

Group; Bazaar of the Church Congregation of Herzogenbuchsee; Bazaar of the Church Congregation 

of Holderbank-Möriken-Wildegg; Bazaar of the Church Congregation of Horgen; Bazaar of the 

Church Congregation of Kölliken; Bazaar of the Church Congregation of Rapperswil-Jona; Bazaar 

of the Church Congregation of Rupperswil; Bazaar of the Church Congregation of Seon; Bazaar of 

the Church Congregation of Wichtrach; Windisch Women’s Meeting Group; Bazaar of Winterthur- 

Wülflingen; Bazaar of the Church Congregation of Worb; Bazaar of the Evangelical-Reformed 

Church Congregation of Altstetten, Zurich. 

32 33

Annual Financial Statement 

Balance sheet 

Operating result 

31.12.2018 31.12.2017 

Assets CHF CHF 

Cash and cash equivalents 3 090 259.22 2 789 285.71 

Time deposits 1 206 332.48 1 153 668.36 

Securities 2 554 155.30 2 701 891.05 

Receivables due from third parties 349 000.01 1 316 289.83 

Receivables due from affiliated entities 362 352.81 59 243.73 

Prepaid expenses and deferred charges 462 485.52 98 624.85 

Total current assets 8 024 585.34 8 119 003.53 

Financial assets 1 533 335.00 1 566 669.00 

Tangible assets 7 092.30 15 748.30 

Intangible assets 0.00 0.00 

1 540 427.30 1 582 417.30 

9 565 012.64 9 701 420.83 

Liabilities 

Payables due to third parties 426 932.51 716 689.39 

Accrued liabilities and deferred income 91 816.35 155 495.51 

Total current liabilities 518 748.86 872 184.90 

Provisions 266 208.25 234 889.61 

Total non-current (long-term) liabilities 266 208.25 234 889.61 

Funds with restrictive appropriation 3 963 868.35 4 145 329.48 

Total restricted funds 3 963 868.35 4 145 329.48 

Disposable funds 3 283 621.77 2 951 319.01 

Dedicated funds 1 532 565.41 1 497 697.83 

Total organisation capital 4 816 187.18 4 449 016.84 

Total liabilities 9.565.012. 64 9 701 420.83 

31.12.2018 31.12.2017 

Income CHF CHF 

Donations 8 171 375.12 7 957 219.08 

Of which, restricted: 2 765 430.89 2 699 231.28 

Contributions from organisations 3 764 655.68 3 636 693.78 

Of which, restricted: 2 547 935.07 2 630 170.79 

Bequests 2 086 534.15 1 011 359.76 

Of which, restricted: 144 852.20 30 000.00 

Income from fundraising activities 14 022 564.95 12 605 272.62 

Trading income 17 814.29 19 078.35 

Income from services 82 236.96 87 422.85 

Other income 21 325.47 50 486.65 

Income from services rendered 121 376.72 156 987.85 

Total income 14 143 941.67 12 762 260.47 

Expenditure on services rendered 

Programmes and projects 9 999 694.95 10 981 691.74 

Information activities 2 062 283.49 1 282 514.15 

Business expenses 1 766 435.10 1 796 404.00 

Total expenditure on services rendered 13 828 413.54 14 060 609.89 

Operating result 315 528.13 -1 298 349.42 

Financial result 

Financial income 81 065.30 231 861.18 

Financial expenses -166.855.44 -50 187.49 

Total financial surplus/deficit -85.790.14 181 673.69 

Non-operating income 

Extraordinary income -44.027.78 1 100 000.00 

Total non-operating income -44.027.78 1 100 000.00 

Surplus/deficit before changes to funds 185 710.21 -16 675.73 

Surplus/deficit from funds 

Allocation to fund capital -2.288.505.97 -2 393 510.53 

Use of fund capital 2 469 967.10 2 512 642.38 

Change in fund capital 181 461.13 119 131.85 

Result before changes to operating capital 367 171.34 102 456.12 

Allocation to disposable funds -332.303.76 -2 739.17 

Use of disposable funds 0.00 100 000.00 

Result disposable funds -332.303.76 97 260.83 

Allocation to restricted funds -305.068.37 -625 528.76 

Use of restricted funds 270 200.79 425 811.81 

Result restricted funds -34.867.58 -199 716.95 

Result after allocation to operating capital 0.00 0.00 

The report of the auditing firm PricewaterhouseCoopers certifies 

that bookkeeping and annual statements comply with the law, statutes, 

SWISS GAAP FER 21 rules as well as ZEWO guidelines. 

34 35

Annual Financial Statement 

Source and use of funds 

Source of donations 

(8 171 375 Swiss Francs) 

1.2 % Offertory 

Association 

4.7 % Publications 

4.3 % Bazars and Events 

Commentary on the annual financial statemen 

Increased contributions 

for work in the global south 

12.9 % Institutional Sponsors 

44.8 % Church activities 

and offerings 

19.0 % Private donors 

14.6 % Cantonal Churches 

(including contributions 

via FSPC * ) 

* Federation of Swiss Protestant Churches 

The figures for 2018 make encouraging 

reading: Mission 21 was able to 

increase its income by over one million 

Swiss francs (CHF) as compared to 

the prior year. Thanks to this increase, 

the Mission could (for example) contribute 

more to emergency relief and 

reconstruction for people in conflict 

zones. 

Source of funds 


57.8 % Donations 

Expenditure on services rendered 


72.3 % Total spent 

on programmes 

and projects 

1.1 % Miscellaneous revenue 

14.8 % Bequests 

2.4 % Basel Mission Switzerland 

5.9 % EMS/BMDZ (Sister organisations 

in Germany) 

4.7 % Bread for all 

13.4 % SDC 

12.8 % Other administrative expenses 

incl. continental assemblies 

and international synod (parliament) 

14.9 % Fund raising activities 

The complete and audited annual financial 

statement is available for downloading at 

www.mission-21.org/annual_report or may 

be ordered by calling Mr. Patrick Hascher, 

Head of Finances, at +41 61 560 22 85. 

Mission 21 presents a positive year-end financial 

statement for 2018. The Mission was 

able to book income of about CHF 1.4 million 

more than in the prior year. This success can 

be attributed not only to donations but also to 

legacies and contributions from various organisations. 

Thanks to these encouraging figures, 

Mission 21 was able to increase its direct 

expenditure on projects and programmes by 

CHF 836 000 as compared to the budget and, 

in particular, to allocate the handsome sum 

of about CHF 600 000 to emergency relief and 

reconstruction in various African countries. 

Direct material expenditure for information 

work and operating expenses were reduced by 

CHF 86 000 year-on-year. 

Contributions from institutional sponsors 

rose by over CHF 400 000 (equivalent to an increase 

of 61%), while private donations grew by 

more than CHF 100 000 (up 7%). On the other 

hand, donations from the church sector decreased 

by CHF 195 000 (minus 4%). The total 

quota of donations from the church sector continues 

to be important for Mission 21, given that 

they account for almost 60% of all donations. 

We would like to thank all the private donors 

as well as the many generous church congregations 

and numerous institutions for supporting 

Mission 21’s sustainable development cooperation 

work: the Agency for Development and Cooperation 

of the Swiss Confederation (SDC), the 

cantonal churches and the Federation of Swiss 

Protestant Churches (FSPC). Huge thanks are 

also due to the foundations and political municipalities, 

and to other friendly institutions and 

organisations. Through their contributions, all 

of them play their part in enabling Mission 21 to 

continue its programme and project work in an 

effective manner. 

The Internal Control System (ICS) is based 

on a risk-oriented approach; it ensures the reliability 

of financial reporting and compliance 

with the necessary legal provisions or recommendations 

from experts. The report by the 

auditors, PricewaterhouseCoopers, attests 

that the accounts and the annual financial 

statement conform to the law, the articles of 

association, the SWISS-GAAP-FER-21 guidelines 

and the guidelines issued by ZEWO (the 

Swiss Certification Service for Organisations 

of Public Utility which Receive Donations). We 

shall be glad to send the detailed annual financial 

statement and the balance sheet to anyone 

interested in receiving them. 

Patrick Hascher, Head of Finance 

Two employees of the 

Presbyterian Church in 

Cameroon (PCC) record 

the relief supplies 

distributed to refugees 

under the auspices of 

the emergency relief 

programme. 

Photo: Angelika Weber/ 

Mission 21 

36 

37

Organisation 

Organigram Mission 21 

Governing bodies and committees in 2018 

African 

CA 

with representatives of partner churches and organisations 

Department 


Jochen Kirsch 

Continental Assemblies (CA) 

CA 

Asian 

Latin 

American 

CA 

Finance/IT Admin. Dept. 

Patrick Hascher 

HR Admin. Dept. 

Myriam Pellet 

European 

CA 

Mission Synod 

Board 

President: Johannes Blum 

Management 

Director: Claudia Bandixen 

Department 

Education Exchange Research 

Magdalena Zimmermann 

Basel 

Mission 

Women and Gender 

Admin. Dept. 

Josefina Hurtado Neira 

Supporting associations 

Moravian 

Church 

Evang. 

Mission in the 

Kwango 

Department 

Communication and Marketing 

Dario Brühlmann 

Board 

Term of office: four years, with the option 

of re-election for two further terms 

Prof. Dr. Johannes Blum 

President 

Deputy Lead Clinical Consultant, 

Medical Department, Swiss Tropical and 

Public Health Institute, Basel 

Pastor Karl F. Appl 

Vice President 

President, Basel Mission 

Pastor, Märstetten, Thurgau Canton 

Kurt Kägi 

Managing Director, former President 

of the Church Council of the 

Church of the Two Appenzell Half-Cantons, 

Herisau 

Dr. Margrit Schneider-Schardt 

Dentist, Basel 

Andrea R. Trümpy 

Vice-President of the Cantonal Church 

Council of the Canton of Glarus 

Former Mayoress of Glarus 

Pastor Hans-Joachim Zobel 

Retired Dean, Evangelical Regional 

Church of Baden, 

Freiburg (Germany) 

Pastor Dr. Claudia Hoffmann 

Academic Assistant/Post-Doc., 

Faculty of Theology, University of Basel 

from June 2018 

Publications in 2018 

A selection 

Management 

Pastor Claudia Bandixen 

Director 

Pastor Magdalena Zimmermann 

Head of the Education Exchange and 

Research Department, Deputy Director 

Pastor Jochen Kirsch 

Head of the International Relations Department 

Dario Brühlmann 

Head of the Communications and Marketing 

Department 

Patrick Hascher 

Head of the Finance & IT 

Administration Department 

Myriam Pellet 

Head of the HR Administration Department 

Josefina Hurtado Neira 

Head of the Women and Gender 

Administration Department 

Audit Commission 

Term of office: four years 

Prof. Dr. Arie Hans Verkuil 

Chair 

Theologian, Professor of 

Management and Leadership 

Sibylle Andermatt 

Commercial specialist in the IT sector 

Eckehart Lauk 

Retired senior government official 

Mission 21 is a beacon of hope for a more just world. We are active globally in promoting 

peace, improving education, delivering health services and reducing poverty, especially 

for women and girls. We also provide educational services in Switzerland. We are committed 

to sustainable long-term development cooperation as well as emergency aid and 

reconstruction efforts. We conceive and pursue our projects in accordance with the United 

Nations sustainable development goals 2030. With our Christian roots we reach out 

to twenty countries in Africa, Asia, and Latin America. We cooperate with more than 

seventy partner organizations in over one hundred projects. 

www.mission-21.org 

Auftrag and Nachrichten (donor magazine), 

published quarterly, 52 p., Basel, Mission 21 et 

al., march, june, september, december 2018. 

Projekte der Entwicklungszusammenarbeit 

der Schweizerischen Evangelischen Werke 

2019 (project magazine), published annually, 

52 p., Bern, BfA with HEKS and Mission 21, 

2018. 

Choi, Kwang Sun und Lin, Hsiu Chuan (Ed.): 

Mission 21 in Asia: Towards diversity, 

subjectivity and communion, 335 p., Basel, 

2018. 

Gfeller, Katharina: Junge Menschen in 

Indonesien bauen am Frieden, in: ite, Magazin 

der Schweizer Kapuziner, 5/2018, Olten, 

december 2018. 

Wirthlin, Mara et al.: Favoriser l’indépendance 

des femmes grâce au fonds de promotion des 

femmes de Mission 21, in: l’église missionnaire 

4/2018, p. 3-10, Strasbourg, october 2018. 

Quack, Jürgen: Basler Mission Deutscher Zweig, 

in: Württembergische Kirchengeschichte online, 

https://www.wkgo.de/institutionen/baslermission-deutscher-zweig, 

Stuttgart, 2018. 

38 

39

A happy encounter at the Mission and Town Church Festival 

which concluded the 2018 Synod in Aarau: Suzan Mark 

from Nigeria, Béatrice Ngeh from Cameroon, Jochen Kirsch, 

Head of Mission 21’s International Relations Department, 

and Daniel Godoy from Chile (left to right). 


Mission 21 

Missionsstrasse 21 

P.O. Box 270 

CH-4009 Basel 

www.mission-21.org

Annual Report 2018

You also want an ePaper? Increase the reach of your titles

Delete template?

Save as template?