Founded by Matthieu Ricard in 2000, Karuna-Shechen acts and advocates for a more altruistic world with the conviction that altruism is a key to building tomorrow's world and offers concrete solutions to the challenges of our century.

Karuna-Shechen contributes to breaking the cycle of extreme poverty, building resilience and developing the full potential of poor, vulnerable or distressed populations. The organization works primarily in India, Nepal and Tibet, through a local, community-based and holistic approach that interconnects the sectors of Health and Hygiene, Education, Food Security, Economic Development and Environment.

The association intervenes in the fields of health, education, food security, economic development and environmental preservation

Karuna-Shechen Switzerland is an association under Swiss law that carries on the activities of Karuna-Shechen.