Our vision
A world where every child and every adult who is on the move or separated from their family by borders is supported and protected with full respect for their rights.
Our mission
Four promises
for one commitment
ISS Switzerland is committed to supporting, defending, reuniting and protecting children, adults and families in a transnational context. Backed by a network present in 120 countries, it provides individual social, family and legal support.
Drawing on this field expertise, it has contributed since 1932 to the development of practice and legislation on children’s rights and migration law, in Switzerland and internationally.
Our values
What guides all our work
Solidarity
ISS Switzerland strives to make its services accessible to the people who need them, whatever their financial situation.
Non-discrimination
ISS Switzerland acts regardless of the nationality, residence status, political, cultural or religious affiliation, gender or sexual orientation of the people it serves.
Equality
Alert to situations of discrimination, oppression and violence – especially domestic violence – ISS Switzerland is committed to deconstructing patriarchal patterns and decolonising practice.
Welcome
ISS Switzerland gives its full attention to every request it receives and responds with respect and kindness. People are welcomed and listened to in all their humanity.
Guiding principles
How we work
The work of ISS Switzerland is guided by the following principles:
Independence
ISS Switzerland acts independently of those who commission its services (in particular cantonal and federal authorities), in keeping with its mission and ethical principles. This independence allows it to take a professional view and to defend the rights and interests of the people it supports.
Subsidiarity
ISS Switzerland works alongside other existing services, and primarily where no other organisation is competent.
The law as a pillar
ISS Switzerland relies on the national and international legal framework to guide its social support.
Respect for cultural specificities
We recognise the diversity of backgrounds, references and cultural realities of the people we support. Aware of our own frames of reference and biases, we adopt a listening and questioning stance, without judgement or assumptions, in order to take account of each situation in its uniqueness.
Participation
Every person is an active participant in, and agrees to, the steps that concern them. We look for solutions with the people concerned, not for them.
Valuing expertise
ISS Switzerland carries out its activities with a view to developing and passing on knowledge and practice.
Our work with children and families is specifically guided by the following principles:
Multidisciplinarity
Each situation is handled by our multidisciplinary and multilingual teams of social workers, mediators and lawyers. They combine their professional perspectives and work in a network with partners in Switzerland and abroad.
Multi-partiality
We give equal attention to everyone we support, without taking sides, so that they can make informed choices while keeping the child’s interests at the heart of our work. We strive to remain neutral on the content and topics discussed.
The primacy of the best interests of the child
ISS Switzerland’s teams assess and handle each situation with the best interests of the child as a primary consideration, in accordance with the Convention on the Rights of the Child and the related General Comments.
Seeking dialogue and amicable solutions
We always favour negotiated, amicable solutions in line with the applicable legal framework over court proceedings, which can be long, costly and harmful for children and families.