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Relief agencies underscore transparency/ VENRO discusses a Code of Conduct

Bernd Pastors, Dr. Jürgen Thiesbonenkamp und Dr. Hans-Joachim Preuß in Berlin. Picture: Bildschön

(Berlin, 7. April 2008) Today in Berlin, Kindernothilfe and several other German relief agencies have put forward a nine-point plan to ensure greater transparency, quality and control amongst organisations funded by donations. In addition to this measure, VENRO (the Association of German development non-governmental organisations) is assessing the possibility of a Code of Conduct to be drafted in association with the DZI, Germany's Central Institute for Social Issues.

"Transparency, quality and control are not new on the agenda of relief agencies", explains Hans-Joachim Preuss, Welthungerhilfe's Secretary General. "But the recent Unicef affair did spark a public debate which has moved the issue on to another level. Our initiative aims to contribute towards this debate."

Establishing uniform standards, greater control and verifiable professionalism are key goals in the transparency initiative. "People who donate money also invest their trust, and trust is the key to any charity organisation. It is essential to maintain an open and transparent dialogue in order to maintain this trust. That's why organisations funded by donations need to be ‘crystal clear'," says Dr. Jürgen Thiesbonenkamp, Chairman of the Board at Kindernothilfe.

In concrete terms, this means supporting external initiatives such as the internet database "GuideStar Deutschland" planned by the DZI. With this initiative, VENRO is helping the DZI to develop the criteria for its seal of approval as well as backing calls for greater financial support of the DZI via the German government.

"Alongside papers drafted by our members, the nine-point plan forms the basis for an internal discussion within the association. In addition, church related NGOs have been working for a long time towards a commitment to transparency and control," explains VENRO board member, Bernd Pastors. "Many of our members already maintain high transparency standards and make their finances public in annual reports."

It is important to bear in mind that VENRO is a heterogeneous network made up of small and larger organisations working along a variety of guidelines with different standards. "This has to be reflected in the Code of Conduct which we plan to develop in association with our members", explains Pastor. The aim of the code is the development and implementation of standards for transparent and accountable management structures.

At VENRO's request, the DZI will provide specialist assistance in developing this code. "The Code of Conduct can be a practical addition to the DZI seal of approval. The code on "Development related PR" which VENRO introduced in 1998 has proven itself as a valuable guideline for NGOs in the field of development policy," adds Burkhard Wilke, Executive Director of the DZI.

The DZI is currently redrafting tighter guidelines for the independent assessment and allocation of its seal of approval. 230 relief organisations bear this seal. "The fact that 111 organisations were initially unsuccessful in their first application when the seal was introduced 16 years ago shows that the level of assessment for the seal of approval is very high," explains Burkhard Wilke.

The following persons are available for interview upon request:

Bernd Pastors, VENRO Board Member, 0152 - 086 409 95
Dr. Hans-Joachim Preuss, Welthungerhilfe's Secretary General, 0173 - 5442286
Dr. Jürgen Thiesbonenkamp, Chairman of the Board, Kindernothilfe, 0163 - 2344354
Burkhard Wilke, DZI Executive Director, 030 - 839001-11

For press inquiries please contact:

VENRO e.V.
Press and PR Department
Kirsten Prestin
Kaiserstr. 201
D-53113 Bonn
Tel.: +49/ (0) 228 - 946 77-14, (0)152 - 086 409 95
Fax: +49/ (0) 228 - 946 77-99
E-Mail: k.prestin@venro.org
Internet: www.venro.org

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Advocacy: Child rights are human rights more

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