The term ‘sustainability’ has certainly been on everybody’s lips since the 1992 Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro, even if it was not in general currency before. It has in fact become the guiding vision in national and international politics. In our work, we too at GTZ are guided by this concept, and in 2005 we declared sustainable development to be our corporate guiding principle.

Sustainable development has long been an integral part of our corporate philosophy: whether we are helping to rebuild the countries devastated by the tsunami disaster, providing legal advisory services in Georgia, or supporting water management in Jordan, all our projects and programmes aim to improve the living conditions and the prospects of individuals in partner countries on a sustainable basis.

For the work of GTZ, sustainable development means:

• supporting economic growth for more prosperity in partner countries
• ensuring equal opportunities for rich and poor, North and South, women and men
• utilising natural resources for the benefit of present and future generations

There are no ready-made sustainable solutions to complex development issues. We understand sustainable development as a constant process of negotiation and learning. In our work we use a combination of advisory services, such as policy, technical and organisational advice. We work at government level as well as with associations, industry, local populations and international donors. Throughout the world, we observe the principles of good governance and operate according to internationally recognised fundamental values, such as respect for human rights.

Within the company, too, the principle of sustainability is of pivotal importance: with innovative approaches to in-company environmental protection, the introduction of HIV/AIDS workplace programmes, the promotion of gender equality and our Code of Conduct, we take on responsibility for our workforce and for the environment.