"The collaboration of committed individuals around NETZ impresses and inspires me. I am glad that I can work with NETZ on topics that are particularly close to my heart."

"With its colonial legacies, Bangladesh faces external and internal challenges despite its significant achievements: poverty in an unfair global economic system, climate change, corruption and political instability. For 35 years, NETZ has stood alongside the extremely poor, women, marginalised and vulnerable population groups. Our actions are based on the ideas of the people and local initiatives. It is particularly important to us that we work together in a respectful, equal and power-critical manner. In Bangladesh and West Bengal in India, we support civil society partners in achieving structural change."

"We live in a deeply unjust world. I have a job and even get compensation for loss of earnings – unlike workers in the global textile industry in Bangladesh. This luxury is an obligation for me to give something back to those who were not born into this privileged situation. NETZ is the ideal partner for me, because the organisation is transparent and cost-effective and works directly with partners in Bangladesh. And it is just as important to me that NETZ brings about a change in awareness in Germany through its educational work."

"I have deep empathy for people who live in poverty. Because I was one of them. When you’re poor and go out alone, you can hardly make a difference. Back then, people pointed fingers at me. But I won't do that – instead, I will fight for them."

"Every day, we work with people who have contributed the least to global warming – and who yet feel its catastrophic effects every day. But they are not victims; they are the true experts and pioneers of adaptation and rethinking. Humanity will only have a future if we understand that their lives matter just as much as ours. People around the world, wake up! Stop working against us and start fighting with us. Phase out fossil fuels now!"

"My husband and I have always worked hard, but we didn’t even have enough to eat. In the project, that changed. I was soon able to put more food on the table, with eggs from our hens and vegetables from our garden. I also raised livestock and slowly built a better life. In our women’s group, we share our knowledge among each other and with the whole village. We want to ensure that no one has to live in poverty anymore."

"Every day, I look forward to going to school and to seeing my friends."

"What I enjoy most about school are the lessons where we play theatre, learn poems or dance."

"I am the first child in my family to attend school."

"I just want to be able to continue going to school. Then I will be able to do things in the future that will make my parents proud."

"I want to be a doctor because most people in my area are poor and can't afford to travel far to see a doctor."

"NETZ has long been effectively supporting women's empowerment and the rights of religious and indigenous minorities through its projects. And we will continue our joint struggle against violence and for the equal rights of all people. We in Dhaka and local human rights groups support each other and learn from each other: about our rights and important new approaches such as non-violent conflict transformation. As part of the international civil society, we bring the voices of the disenfranchised into global politics."

"Through pictures, letters and visits from Bangladesh, our students learn about a different way of lifes and culture. Yet it is closely connected to our own lifes because the girls and boys here and there share the same aspirations and goals. We all learn a lot from the exchange, about each other and about ourselves – even if it is not always easy and we question ourselves a lot. In the end, the wish remains to continue our commitment to a more equal world."