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The Dariu Foundation - Testimonials - MICHAEL BADLDINGER

MICHAEL BALDINGER

Trustee of The Dariu Foundation; formerly Chief Sustainability Officer, UBS, and CEO, RobecoSAM

I recently joined Thomas Trüb and The Dariu Foundation to witness their work in Vietnam, Cambodia, and Laos. The foundation’s evolution from basic literacy to advanced tech education is impressive. Seeing a twelve-year-old explain how coding could help her improve lives in her community and watching as a classroom erupts in celebration at the success of getting their first-ever robot to move, I now understand the determination of this next generation. Thank you for this profound insight into the determination of the next generation.

THOMAS GASS

Ambassador of Switzerland to Vietnam

The success of Vietnam’s Industrial Revolution 4.0 will depend on the quality of the education of its youth – from STEM subjects and vocational training to social skills and problem-solving. At the annual National Tech Camp 2025 near Can Tho in the Mekong Delta, my wife Nathalie Gass-Lussi and I saw The Dariu Foundation and its partners building these skills in young people. We saw boys and girls building robots, coding, flying drones and solving real challenges – guided by teachers trained by the Dariu team. Their enthusiasm and curiosity reminded us why supporting education initiatives matters. It was also inspiring to see the Swiss company ABB on site with its robotics team, introducing young learners to collaborative robots and programming. Congratulations to The Dariu Foundation and its partners ABB, Bread for the World, UEH Mekong Campus and the Department of Education of Vinh Long province for nurturing Vietnam’s next generation of innovators.

The Dariu Foundation - Testimonials - DANIEL SIEGFRIED

ULI SIGG

Swiss businessman, art collector, former Swiss Ambassador to China

We all know what traditional literacy means. But in today’s digital world, being able to read and write is no longer enough. Children need to understand digital technology in order to use it safely and effectively. This is where The Dariu Foundation comes in with its Digital Literacy Initiative.

The Dariu Foundation - Testimonials -CAROLINA MÜLLER-MÖHL

ANNABELLA BASSLER

CFO, Ringier AG

As a former trustee of The Dariu Foundation, I am delighted to bring together two causes close to my heart – supporting children and digital literacy – through this commitment. Children’s knowledge and education are essential to our society and our future. Since its founding in 2002, The Dariu Foundation has made a significant contribution to self-determined lives.

MICHAEL RINGIER

Chairman of the Board, Ringier AG, Switzerland

The Dariu Foundation does not provide development aid – it makes investments. Believing in people’s own motivation, and supporting their intent to improve their circumstances, is by far the best start anyone can give to change.

URS WIETLISBACH

Co-Founder, Partners Group, Switzerland

The Dariu Foundation impressed us greatly with its distinctive model: its efficient structure and the visible impact on the education and living conditions of participants. In Southeast Asia many people live below the subsistence level. That makes it all the more important to break the cycle of poverty and lack of education. This is where The Dariu Foundation does outstanding work.

ALBERTO VENZAGO

Photographer, filmmaker and artist, Switzerland

As a committed global citizen, documentary filmmaker and photojournalist, I have seen immense suffering and poverty. The helplessness was overwhelming again and again throughout my work. I always believed that an image could change the world, because I felt bound to the truth. But in the end it is only an image. An organisation like The Dariu Foundation gives hope. Where the media and politics stop, people with conviction step in. Schools instead of swords. Education instead of banal ideologies.

MARC WALDER

CEO and Managing Partner, Ringier AG, Switzerland

Dariu is a global example of long-term thinking and doing the right thing – paired with consistent execution. Dariu makes a difference. A very large one at that.