IS Mission, values and approaches

International Service’s vision is a world where poverty and oppression are history.
 

Our Mission

International Service's mission is to combat poverty and oppression by strengthening the organisations of the poorest groups in our countries of operation and by increasing global understanding of development issues.
 

Our Values

This is what we value

• We value partnerships based on mutual trust, respect and cooperation

• We value diversity and inter-cultural learning

• We are global citizens with shared responsibility to find sustainable solutions to poverty and inequality.

• We see participation and empowerment of local people as basic principles in all our projects

• We believe that true development is not possible without human rights for all

What We Do

What International Service Does International Service's mission is accomplished through these activities:

• Placing development workers: recruiting, funding and selecting committed professionals to share their skills and help local organisations achieve their objectives;

• Building partnerships: increasing development awareness and promoting the concept of global citizenship in the UK and elsewhere;

• Mobilising resources: helping our partners to access resources for development initiatives;

• Continually improving all aspects of our work: through effective learning and organisational development.

Our Approaches

Our core principle of “Start with what people know, build with what people have” is underpinned by seven approaches that we have adopted in our field work.

• We believe that development is a process of change, not a series of projects, and our development workers participate in this process aiming to make a contribution of lasting value

• The sharing of skills as a process of mutual learning and development, leading to enhanced capacity and reduction of poverty

• Intercultural exchange based on mutual respect, solidarity and international co-operation - a concept of global citizenship

• Partnerships with organisations in the South based on commitment, honesty and trust

• Participation of women and marginalised people in development initiatives

• Empowerment of local communities by promotion and ownership of grassroots initiatives

• Organisational integrity based on transparency, commitment to quality, and service

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