125 years after its founding, Caritas Switzerland takes stock of the global development of poverty. 'The progress of the past decades is impressive - but it can be quickly lost,' warns Esther Reinhard, Interim Director of Caritas Switzerland. As the climate crisis, wars, and inequalities increase, wealthy countries like Switzerland are drastically reducing their contributions to international cooperation. Esther Reinhard: 'The reduction of poverty has come to an almost complete standstill.' Currently, around 1.1 billion people worldwide are affected.
In Switzerland, too, poverty has become a chronic problem. The federal government, cantons, and municipalities have no joint strategy to effectively address the issue. The number of people living at or just above the subsistence level remains high at 1.45 million people. That's one in six people - on average, there are four children in every school class whose parents can barely afford the necessities.
Despite these high numbers, social benefits and fundamental rights are under pressure: Families living at the subsistence level face enormous burdens but are left alone by the state. People without a Swiss passport risk their residency rights if they receive social assistance, and refugees see their social assistance reduced. 'The current developments worry me,' says Esther Reinhard. 'Especially now, we must prevent more people from falling into precarious living conditions. We need more courage in politics to fight poverty.'
Exhibition: Experience Different Dimensions of Poverty
With the exhibition 'Unequal Distribution - What Poverty Has to Do with Us,' Caritas Switzerland aims to raise public awareness, especially among students, about the issue. From September 9 to 30, the exhibition at the headquarters in Lucerne will show what poverty means in Switzerland and worldwide, how it arises, and what can be done against it. Interactive elements allow a change of perspective and make various dimensions of poverty tangible.
'Poverty is more than just having too little money,' says Monika Maire-Hefti, President of Caritas Switzerland. 'Poverty influences where someone can live, what educational opportunities are available, how healthy someone lives, and whether social participation is possible. With the exhibition, we show that poverty affects all of us.'
125 years: From Helping to Changing
When the Swiss Caritas Association was founded on September 23, 1901, organized Catholic 'charity' was at the center. Since then, Caritas's understanding of poverty and poverty reduction has fundamentally changed: Initially confessionally influenced aid for people in need developed into cooperation with affected people - on an equal footing and with local responsibility in the project countries.
Today, Caritas Switzerland supports around 500,000 people worldwide each year. It is not only about alleviating acute need but also about achieving a sustainable impact. Caritas also advocates for structural changes in societal and political frameworks by actively contributing its expertise to public debates.
'125 years of Caritas Switzerland show that poverty can be effectively combated,' says Monika Maire-Hefti. 'Where politics, business, civil society, and those affected act together, changes are possible. We must pursue this claim with emphasis in the future.'
Note to Editors
Caritas Switzerland is hosting various events at its headquarters in Lucerne to mark its 125-year anniversary, to which media representatives are warmly invited:
- September 16, 6 pm: Panel 'Global Solidarity in Dialogue' on the role of Switzerland and NGOs in international cooperation.
- September 23, 4 pm: Official founding day with birthday celebration.
- September 28, 5:30 pm: Panel 'Working Poor - Despite Work, Not Enough Money to Live' on the causes and consequences of in-work poverty in Switzerland.
We are happy to provide historical documents and image material and arrange interviews. More information at: www.caritas.ch/jubiläum.
Numbers and Facts about Poverty and Caritas Switzerland
- In Switzerland, 743,000 people live below the subsistence level, and just as many slightly above it. This totals 1.45 million people, including 315,000 children. Poverty particularly affects single parents, persons without post-compulsory education, larger families, foreigners, and the unemployed.
- According to the UN, 1.1 billion people worldwide live in poverty. That is 18 percent of the population in the 109 countries examined. More than half of these are children. A significant portion of those affected live in extreme poverty, approximately 830 million people. This means they must survive on less than 3 US dollars a day.
- Caritas Switzerland is a non-profit organization based in Lucerne. Its goal is to overcome poverty in Switzerland and worldwide. Domestically, Caritas Switzerland, together with the 16 independent regional Caritas organizations, supports people in precarious living conditions. Together, they offer 350 services, such as debt counseling, Caritas markets, the CultureLegi, or courses for digital skills. Abroad, Caritas Switzerland collaborates with local partners, either from the international Caritas network or with other organizations. Currently, Caritas Switzerland is active in around 20 countries, implementing projects in the areas of poverty, migration, disaster relief, and climate. Caritas Switzerland has approximately 1,500 employees in Switzerland and abroad.
Press contact:
Niels Jost, Media spokesperson Caritas Schweiz
medien@caritas.ch
076
233 45 04