up! Restarted!
Founded in 2012 in Bern, Switzerland, up! International is an apolitical, non-religious NGO that works to expose and eliminate violence globally. Our mission is to empower victims of violence and advocate against injustice, working with local grassroots partners, service providers, community members, CSOs, donors, and other non-governmental and governmental institutions to achieve our objectives.
Credit Beat Schertenleib (July 2023 in Bern)
Initially, up! was founded by three passionate individuals driven by the conviction that violence against boys and men was overlooked, while its consequences are far-reaching. Our work involves developing, co-creating, and facilitating groundbreaking research in that specific area of work globally, working with local and international partners. We also recognise that violence is often interlinked with issues such as poverty, exploitation, and conflict, and we work to address violence broadly. The organisation places special attention on marginalised groups outside mainstream society, including those who may be rendered more vulnerable based on their identity, such as diverse SOGIE, impairment or disability, class, or caste.
In recent times, members of up! International have also worked with a wide variety of institutions and funders, playing an essential role in local and global initiatives to address sexual violence in conflict, online exploitation and abuse , exploring the learning and support needs of child protection service providers, national studies related to sexual exploitation of boys and children with harmful sexual behaviours.
Our global team of committed researchers and practitioners, based in Asia, North and South America, and Europe, responds flexibly to emerging needs and embraces new ideas through piloting, reflection, and learning. We value impact, quality, innovation, partnership, and positivity in our knowledge and evidence-based, realistic approaches. We are dedicated to working cooperatively with on-the-ground partners to make a tangible difference by listening and responding to localised needs.
up! tackles challenging issues seriously but with a spirit of trust and optimism. Through tailored, ethical programs, we aim to empower victims, raise awareness, and create lasting change.