About us
At the beginning of the 1960s, the canton of Basellandschaft realized that “something had to be done”. Under the leadership of Dr. Adolf Ballmer, head of the KIGA at the time, and with the support of numerous employer companies, the regional churches, various associations and organizations, this led to the creation of the ald with the legal form of an association. With the most modest means and without any practical experience, the aim was to build up services from virtually nothing. When the federal government set up the Federal Commission for Foreigners (EKA) in 1970, it was happy to be able to fall back on the handful of offices throughout Switzerland that had dealt with the problems of immigrants in the 1960s. This also included the ald BL.
The business community was not only an important supporter and partner when the ald was founded, but has always remained so. A circumstance that led to the founding of the Baselland Foreigners’ Service was also reflected in its first name. At that time, it was called the “Basellandschaftliche Arbeitsgemeinschaft für die Betreuung ausländischer Arbeitskräfte”. A lot has changed in the meantime.
Thanks to service contracts with the federal government and the canton, the ald was able to set up the Integration Office in 2001. Over 6 decades, the ald has developed from a low-threshold contact point to a competence center for integration issues. The ald is convinced that the “Ausländerdienst Baselland” model chosen at the time, with its broad support for our canton, is still a good way to implement integration measures at an operational level.
As a non-denominational and politically independent association, the purpose of the Foreigners’ Service is to advise, promote and integrate foreign employees and their families who live and work in the canton of Basel-Landschaft by
- Language and qualification offer
- Early intervention programs
- Information and advice
- Coaching for sustainable professional and social integration
- Use of intercultural interpreters
- Cooperation and coordination with the federal government, canton, municipalities and third parties
The Foreigners’ Service is available as a competence center for migrants, Swiss nationals and various institutions and individuals dealing with integration issues.
Mission statement
• We see ourselves as a regionally based center of expertise that carries out professionally sound and human rights-oriented integration work.
• We recognize the structural, societal, and individual challenges associated with migration and address them in a professionally informed manner.
• We make an effective contribution to socially just and sustainable integration—by respectfully balancing the interests of clients, society, and institutions.
• We support and challenge our clients through programs and services that empower them to help themselves and foster their participation.
• We are committed to active, constructive collaboration and dialogue with government agencies, the business community, professional organizations, private individuals, and society at large.
• We do not pursue any end in itself, and our actions are guided by our social mission rather than by a profit motive.
• We are committed to providing professional, high-quality services.
• We value employees who act responsibly, with professional insight, and in a manner that upholds human rights, and who are committed to a just society.
• We foster a respectful, resilient, and diversity-conscious work culture in which employees can contribute and grow.
• Open communication, a healthy culture of learning from mistakes, and personal responsibility define our work—always in tandem with mutual support and shared organizational responsibility.
• We act transparently, responsibly, and in a resource-conscious manner. Whenever conflicting goals arise (e.g., between quality, quantity, and available resources), we work together to find the best possible balance in line with our social mission.
• We place people and their relationships at the center of everything we do and use technology only where it meaningfully supports our professional work.
Pratteln, March 2026
Ausländerdienst Baselland finances its programs, projects and activities as follows:
- Cantonal performance agreements and cantonal integration program (CIP)
- Municipalities (social services) make use of services
- Income from own work
- Membership fees and donations
Further information on the financial situation of the Foreigners’ Service Baselland can be found in our annual reports.
Migration and integration are key social challenges. Social cohesion in our society is important to Ausländerdienst Baselland. External support is important in order to continue to offer and develop our services as a non-profit organization in a targeted, appropriate and professional manner.
Thank you very much for your support.
Management
Christopher Tütsch
Human Resources and Executive Assistant
Nicole Leuenberger
Cleaning + house maintenance
Upul Mahakumara
Information & Consulting Department
Cristina Franchi (Management)
Carolina Hutmacher
Eda Ilkhan
Evelyne Tran
Anna Beloborodova
Coaching & Integration department
Ines Pareja ( Director)
Tatjana Kresse
Corinne Egger
Priscilla Samantha Parzanese
Evelyne Tran
‘s Team: Coaches & BWW Assistants
Interpreting & Translation Department
KamilStrzelecki (Head)
Kezban Yetis
Silvana Calvagna
Ana Palesko
Charlotte Golay
234 Interpreters and translators
Courses department
Bettina Kiedl (Management & QM)
Renate Eschbach-Eckert (Head of UKR courses, preparation for bridging courses)
Eva Weidmann
Jasmin Chrétien
40 teachers and language test examiners
7 childcare workers
Early language support department
Renate Eschbach (Head)
16 early childhood educators
Board of Directors
Joseph Thali-Kernen, President
Philipp Schoch, Vice President
Stephan Ackermann
Stephan Mathis
Thusanthy Sinniah
Julie von Büren
Luca Pontillo
