The philosophy behind TwoWings is to create a future with education.
This thought runs like a red thread through all projects TwoWings supports worldwide. Because only if the people whom we want to support are not dependent on our support in the long run, but understand the support as an impulse to become active themselves, to change and improve their situation, this support can be of lasting use. Education is the key to success.
Unsere Leitprinzipien
“Die Welt des Menschen besitzt zwei Schwingen – die männliche und die weibliche. Solange beide Schwingen nicht gleich stark sind, wird der Vogel nicht fliegen.„
Die Entstehungsgeschichte von Two Wings
Between 1980 and 1995 the married couple Bahia and Dr. Faramarz Ettehadieh travelled to more than 70 countries and regions where tourists are usually not found and gathered impressions on the spot which they could no longer get rid of. Depressing poverty, a lack of education, a lack of hygiene and especially the oppression of women let both become active. They were inspired by the quote: “Think of man as a mine, rich in precious stones of inestimable value. Only education can bring it to reveal its treasures and benefit humanity”.
As a result, the TwoWings Network was founded in 1996 in the form of a non-partisan, non-denominational, non-profit association for development projects on the basis of the Austrian Law on Associations. A board of trustees of personalities with interest in education and development was appointed. New development strategies based on mutuality and local initiative were forward-looking. The concept of reciprocity was realised by the North-South Advisory Council, where people from all parts of the world work together to provide the best possible support for development projects.
In 1997 a solid basis for the implementation of the TwoWings idea was laid. The association base was expanded, the network consolidated, concrete development projects selected and donations collected for the first three projects: The Masethla Institute in Zambia, Barli in India and Fundaec in Colombia. All three projects, which at that time were still smaller initiatives, are now established educational institutes.
In more than 20 years Two Wings has been able to promote promising sustainable projects in 12 countries with the help of generous donations and for 11 years has been able to award the Two Wings Award to people who have made special contributions to improving the world, such as Prof. Yunus and Jane Goodall. Furthermore, Two Wings actively held seminars for university students in Austria in cooperation with AIESAEC in order to deepen the understanding for development work.
