Our work has left traces. We have been at the UN, at the Swiss Peace Symposium and in a range of media.
ECOSOC – consultative status with the United Nations
Another milestone in the history of DaN Basel: since 2025 the association has been recognised as an NGO with special consultative status at the UN Economic and Social Council.
Our long-standing work on «Zero hunger», «No poverty», «Reduced inequalities» and «Responsible consumption» – in line with the UN Sustainable Development Goals – together with our experience with refugees and our efforts at intercultural mediation, earned us ECOSOC status. We can now bring what we have learned into the Council's sessions.
We can also hold our own sessions and speak about the taboo of «poverty in rich countries too» – including poverty in Switzerland.
DaN Basel at the UN in Geneva
Andreas Schaeppi in front of the flags at the UN headquarters in Geneva.
Since 2019 Andreas Schaeppi, president of the association, has regularly taken part in humanitarian sessions and speaks on poverty in Switzerland and on integration.
Nobody's religion should be the cause of unrest. Cultural mixing and the variety of religions are rather the ground and the chance to create something good. Every religion we know contains kindness towards the poor and tolerance for those who think differently. DaN Basel came into being precisely because of its culturally diverse team, and grew into what it is today.
Alongside the food, the weekly clothing hand-outs, help with authorities, finding housing and returning to working life, we manage to offer a place where everyone feels treated equally. With friendliness and dignity. That makes peaceful coexistence of all the cultures and religions present possible.
Many constructive conversations and a cultural exchange arise here that few other places see. The volunteers from many nations in particular give the project its own perspective. We welcome regular visits from school classes who want to experience how kindness and humanity help people in need.
We know our model will not change the world. But if more people commit to this idea, the immediate surroundings can change for the better – and that spreads. Another culture or religion need not be a reason for fear; it is an enrichment.
Andreas Schaeppi at the United Nations conference table.Andreas Schaeppi at the Geneva Summit for Human Rights and Democracy.
Swiss Peace Award
Swiss Peace Symposium 2020, awarded by Ahmadiyya Muslim Jamaat Switzerland. We thank them warmly for this recognition and hope to keep helping people in need together, and to mediate between cultures and religions to find a common path in peace.
