Mission and guiding principles
Who we are
The Association of German Development Services e.V. (AGdD) is the umbrella association of seven state-approved organisations that implement ‘development service’ according to the German Development Workers Act. These are: AGIAMONDO e.V., Coworkers – Christian Services International (CFI) e.V., the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit GmbH (GIZ), Dienste in Übersee gGmbH (DÜ – Services Overseas) as part of Bread for the World – Protestant Development Service (BfdW), the International Christian Service for Peace (EIRENE e.V.), Pro Peace (Forum Civil Peace Service e.V.) and Weltfriedensdienst e.V. (WFD – World Peace Service). We are a point of contact for the parliament, government and political parties and engage in a professional exchange on all issues related to the secondment of experts.
What we do:
- As an umbrella association, we work to strengthen the policies underpinning the service provided by
professionals in the spirit of solidarity to partner countries in the Global South. - We deal with all contractual and practical issues relating to implementation of the Development Workers Act
and shape any necessary changes. - We support returning professionals by offering career advisory services and by providing opportunities for the
exchange of experiences. - We provide information and report on personnel cooperation and garner social recognition for this
commitment.
How we work:
- We engage in continuous dialogue on development service and partnership-based cooperation with
policymakers and other organizations involved in development policy. - We encourage in-depth exchange and joint action while acknowledging and respecting the different
approaches and distinctive features of our members. Our diversity is also our strength. - We conduct expert discussions, studies and seminars in order to further develop and manage the quality of our
services. - We provide specialist, up-to-date advisory and information services for returnees.
- We maintain close contact with professionals on development and Civil Peace Service assignments and those
returning home, and foster exchange on transcultural experiences and reintegration. - We form and support networks with returnees and other actors connected with our work.
What we want to achieve:
- To ensure that development service remains attractive and fit for the future and takes into account changing
global challenges. - To foster social awareness and recognition of the activities undertaken in the spirit of solidarity by professionals
on assignment for the development services and Civil Peace Service. - To improve the opportunities for returning development workers to draw on their unique international and
professional experience in future work contexts too. - To enhance the sustainable impact of development service in Germany as well and shape this in creative ways.
- To manage our network of returned development workers and strengthen its function as a lively platform for
exchanging experience and sharing information.