Action for World Solidarity

The birth of Action for World Solidarity is the Appeal for the Hungry (orig. "Aufruf für die Hungernden"), initiated by Lothar Kreyssig in 1957 and signed by well-known personalities of German public life, including Heinrich Albertz, Willy Brandt, Heinz Galinski, Kurt Scharf and Otto Suhr. People were requested to forego a meal once a week and to donate the thereby saved money for starving people in poor countries. Subsequently, Action for the Hungry (orig. "Aktionsgemeinschaft für die Hungernden") was founded.

The construction of the Berlin Wall in 1961 led to a split-up of Action for the Hungry. While being instrumental in founding the non-governmental organization INKOTA (Information, Coordination, Conferences) with help of the evangelic church in East Germany, the non-denominational Action for World Solidarity evolved in West Germany.

In 1975, the former board of directors decided to end the implementation of child sponsorships due to the realization that while child sponsorships indeed raise the donation income, local children hardly benefit from them. Sponsorships isolated children and estranged them from their family and village community. Until 1982, the support of children's homes ran out and since then Action for World Solidarity intensively promotes community aid.

Already in the early stages, Action for World Solidarity sustained an office in India. Since the 70s, more and more Indian partners were put in charge for mentoring the projects in India. This evolution of the AWS India Office resulted in the foundation of the Centre for World Solidarity CWS in 1992, which became an independently acting partner of Action for World Solidarity.

Action for World Solidarity started education and campaign work in the 70s and 80s. Four times a year, the children's magazine SAMsolidam was published to eliminate prejudice before they arise. The production was ceased in 2000.