Experiences of professionals

Development Service contributes to the achievement of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. Particularly relevant in the development service is the shaping of partnerships to achieve these goals. Helping to shape partnerships - at one's own workplace, in the community, at regional and international level - and to expand cooperation and networks is a central task of the professionals.

The activities that await experienced professionals in the development service are diverse and varied. Qualified and cosmopolitan people are needed for all tasks. For example, a political scientist works to promote democracy and good governance, a climate researcher works on sustainable forest use, and an expert in water resource management contributes to improving the supply of clean groundwater. They all work in an advisory capacity and are committed to sustainable improvements in the partner countries.

Learn more about the work of professional development and peace workers here and immerse yourself in a very special form of social engagement.

  • Raphael Nabholz already went to Israel once, as a civilian service volunteer. During his studies he got to know the other side, the Palestinian West Bank. When the Combatants for Peace asked him to work for and with them as a peace specialist through AGIAMONDO (then AGEH), he didn't hesitate for a second.
    More
  • In 2017, Simone Dengler wrote her Master's thesis on "International Peace Education in Prison" and came across the work of Prison Fellowship Colombia (PFC). Afterwards, she decided to give up her work as a probation officer in Germany for the time being in order to get to know this non-profit organisation first-hand.
    More
  • “Organisational consultant for a non-governmental organisation in Kampala, Uganda” is what EIRENE’s job advertisement said. When she was accepted by EIRENE to work for the partner organisation, Action for Development (ACFODE) in Kampala, Vanessa Hugo was overjoyed.
    More
  • Marie von Schlieben, 33 years old, studied French and media studies, and interdisciplinary Latin American studies, started development service in Senegal in 2018, and now lives and works in Ghana. "I have learned here in West Africa that you should not let yourself be thrown off course, even when you go through some frustrating times at work. Change is always possible."
    More
  • Jonatan Müller, 33 years old, industrial engineer and agricultural scientist, worked for almost four years as a development worker in the south of Laos. "I’m now working as a consultant in the field of international project management. And I benefit enormously from the valuable experience which I gained in Laos. I would encourage everyone to gain such experience for themselves."
    More
  • Tobias Kühner, 41, architect and urban planner, went out to Ghana for two years in 2008 and then to Brazil in 2015 for another three years. He is now still living in Brazil. "I can only encourage young people to go and work abroad. A period of service in the global South is a formative experience. You get to work with amazing people. I became more open to the world and more aware. I’m very grateful for that."
    More
  • Saskia Kriester, 37 years old, political scientist, served as a Civil Peace Service professional in El Alto, Bolivia, from 2015 to 2016. "Having completed development service, I’m still always keen to see things from a new perspective. In my job as a consultant at Engagement Global, I now have close links with the Civil Peace Service once again."
    More
  • Jonas Knauerhase, 30 years old, mediator, peace and conflict adviser, has been serving in Sierra Leone since 2019. "The skills and experience that I’m gaining here in Sierra Leone are very valuable. They will stand out in my cv and will qualify me very well to take up jobs in other organisations."
    More
  • Eva Tempelmann, 39 years old, journalist and trainer/presenter, went out with her husband and two children in 2014 to do development service in Lima. Another daughter was born there. "I can strongly recommend to other families: Take the plunge! Because the magic begins outside your comfort zone."
    More
  • Kathrin Buddendieck, 33 years old, consultant for conflict transformation, served as a professional peace worker in the Philippines from 2016 to 2019. "During the returnees' seminar, I worked out how I could use my newly acquired knowledge within Germany. It soon became clear that I wanted to continue to apply my skills in nonviolent conflict management both at home and abroad."
    More