Aim

Committed to justice, peace, and integrity of creation; promote that all people have a right to live safe, dignified lives free from all forms of oppression; command respect for people of all cultures and religions; help individuals in need, irrespective of their race or religion.

History

HEKS has been giving aid since 1946 where it is sorely needed - to the poorest people in this world, irrespective of their creed, culture or religion. In June 1944 the Assembly of Delegates of the Federation of Swiss Protestant Churches (FSPC) approved an aid campaign for the victims of the Second World War. Members of various cantonal churches started their own campaigns on the back of this initiative and, after the end of the War, the FSPC appointed a clergyman to coordinate them on a part-time basis. This was far from sufficient, however, therefore it was decided to harness all the cantonal campaigns together under one umbrella and HEKS was born. In 1946, the aid organisation of the Protestant churches of Switzerland with its headquarters in Zürich and an office in Geneva – before relocating to its present location in Lausanne – is finally christened the “Hilfswerk der Evangelischen Kirchen Schweiz” which is shortened to HEKS, or EPER in French (Entraide Protestante des Eglises en Ruines).