Green Cross Switzerland

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The logo of Green Cross Switzerland

As an organization in the field of development cooperation, Green Cross Switzerland supports the global Legacy Program to deal with consequential damage from industrial and military disasters as well as the legacy of the Cold War in Eastern Europe , the USA and Vietnam . Green Cross International is the umbrella of thirty-one national Green Cross organizations.

Origin and seat

One year after the establishment of Green Cross International , the foundation was established in 1994 with headquarters in Zurich . The then National Councilor Roland Wiederkehr promptly launched a "World Green Cross" in Switzerland with the same goal. The two organizations merged in 1993 to create the Green Cross International. In the following year the first five national organizations were founded, including Green Cross Switzerland, USA and Russia .

Purpose and character

The work of Green Cross Switzerland is characterized by quick and directly effective help for self-help on site. With the disarmament program, the non-governmental organization pursues the advancement of the disarmament process as well as the clean-up of contaminated sites from the Cold War era. The social medicine program aims to improve the quality of life of people affected by chemical , radioactive and other contamination. The focus is on promoting sustainable development in the spirit of cooperation instead of confrontation, taking into account all the groups affected by a problem .

Legal form and members

The organization Green Cross Switzerland is legally a foundation and is administered by the Board of Trustees. Management and team take on the operational activities. Green Cross Switzerland is supported by many sympathizers and at the end of 2014 had around 49,500 members .

Commitment and project work

When examining projects , a lot of emphasis is placed on education, communication and scientific argumentation to find solutions. The aim is to prevent ecological risks, and this is done through cooperation with the parliamentary group Green Cross. UN status and consultant status in the Council of Europe serve to help shape decisions of global importance. Project work supports the global disarmament of chemical, nuclear , biological and conventional weapons . The effects of the military use of nuclear materials on the environment and health are examined. With pilot projects, possibilities for the renovation and conversion of military bases are shown. Share is also taken on global projects such as the water program "Water is Life" or the "Earth Charter" Earth Charter .

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