Non-Governmental Organization

WEED is an independent NGO and was founded in 1990. Our goal is to create more awareness in Germany for the causes of worldwide poverty and environmental problems. WEED is committed to national and international networks and unites organisations and initiatives in the North and South.

Our focus is on:

• international indebtedness, debt clearance initiatives and Germany's role in this context;
• politics, projects and programmes of the IMF (International Monetary Fund) and the World Bank;
• reforming and democratizing the international financial markets;
• international trade policy and WTO (World Trade Organisation);
• the North-South policy of the European Union, and international environmental and development policy

WEED performs research, collects background material, and writes working papers, including for example, the WEED-Schuldenreport (the Weed debt report) that is published on a regular basis and provides information on indebtedness. WEED runs campaigns, talks to political decision-makers and intervenes in political decision-making processes. WEED wants to draw attention to these problems by organizing seminars, workshops and conferences, by collaborating with the media and through public relations. WEED works together with national and international NGOs, and supports and completes the work of other environmental and developmental organisations.

ELAN is an association of organizations committed to development policy. Its members range from small solidarity groups, aid organizations, and "Weltläden" (Fair Trade stores) to working groups, youth associations. and networks. Overall, about 400 groups from Rhineland-Palatinate are organized in this statewide network. ELAN's work in development policy is very diverse. The main focus is on: Fair Trade, partnerships, campaigns, Local Agenda 21, as well as globalization and its effects in the Northern and Southern Hemisphere.

As a parent organization, ELAN is responsible for networking development policy initiatives within the state. Through publications or the Internet, its member organizations receive information about current subjects, activities, and campaigns and participate in discussion forums. The dialog between ELAN and the state government gives significance to the diverse aspects of the work related to development policy in the state. The ELAN office in Mainz coordinates the educational and public relations work and assists member organizations with projects.

To secure a viable future for people, animals, and in fact the whole planet, a new course must be set in global politics. Hence, the following principles determine the work of ELAN:

1. A more just, permanently inhabitable world can only be achieved if everyone is granted the right to live, and people can live in dignity and in a socially secure environment.
2. It makes sense to network efforts. In order to critically observe and monitor the process of economic networking and monopolization, both governments and NGOs must cooperate worldwide.
3. Democracy must be strengthened because informed citizens identify undesirable developments early on. They should not feel at the mercy of their governments, and they should assume responsibility for the preservation of the basic living conditions worldwide through their commitment to sustainable development.

The FRSH was founded as an incorporated association in 1991. It is an independent umbrella organisation for groups, initiatives, organizations and individuals involved in refugee aid in Schleswig-Holstein. The FRSH gives advice and support to its members, immigrant and refugee initiatives and exile organizations. It is a member of the nationwide PRO ASYL e.V. and part of the network of refugee councils in Germany. For counselling, some projects, and other events, the FRSH cooperates with churches, associations, human rights organizations, political parties, the authorities and political activist groups.

The Refugee Council demands

• The full application of the Geneva Refugee Convention, the European Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms, the Convention on the Rights of the Child, the Convention Against Torture (CAT).
• The abolition of all laws and regulations that discriminate against foreigners or that place them at a disadvantage.
• Abolition of the so-called third state rule (Drittstaatenregelung: a rule limiting asylum to applicants entering the EU from unsafe third states), the official lists containing countries of safe origin and the so-called airport regulation in the German law of asylum.
• The stopping of the deportation of undesired aliens and the abolition of the detention of aliens prior to deportation.
• Full recognition of the reasons for seeking asylum as protection against prosecution on the basis of gender or non-governmental prosecution.
• Full application of the Bundessozialhilfegesetz, concerning public welfare benefits and public health regulations; freedom of movement and unrestricted access to schooling and education, the unrestricted opportunities to seek work.
• The abolition of degrading and inhumane accommodations.
• Practical administrative work that is intercultural and aimed at the integration of refugees and asylum seekers.
• The right to stay in Germany for refugees that have been tolerated to stay on a long-term basis.

Main Topics and Projects

• Network Baltic-Refugee. Net is a Forum that links all countries involved in refugee-aid and bordering on the Baltic Sea.
• EQUAL partnership for education, organizes educational programs for refugees; the aim is to integrate refugees and asylum seekers into the economy who have been denied education and employment.
• Project for unaccompanied minor refugees . Adolescents over 16 years of age are the focal group for this project that is looking for guardians for these minor refugees; it also provides advice and information concerning adolescent refugees.
• Project Brise. This project organizes opportunities for education and training provided by volunteers, who help and give advice to refugees.

Intercultural School Partnerships

Since 1974 we have been a registered association, running a fair trade shop, called a ‘Weltladen’ and are involved in group education and education projects in schools. Furthermore, we undertake campaigns for more justice in world trade.