Christian Aid

An agency of the churches in the UK and Ireland, Christian Aid works wherever the need is greatest, irrespective of religion. It supports local organisations, which are best placed to understand local needs, as well as giving help on the ground through 16 overseas offices. Christian Aid believes in strengthening people to find their own solutions to the problems they face. It strives for a new world transformed by an end to poverty and campaigns to change the rules that keep people poor.

A brief history of Christian Aid

Christian Aid began life in 1945 as Christian Reconciliation in Europe, responding to the needs of refugees and churches in Europe in the aftermath of the Second World War. In 1949 it became an integral part of the British Council of Churches (now CTBI) as the Department for the Inter-Church Aid and Refugee Service, becoming involved with world refugee settlement and justice issues. It worked closely with the World Council of Churches and the churches in the newly independent countries in the South.

In 1964 the organisation changed its name to Christian Aid after its best known source of income, Christian Aid Week, which began in 1957. Since the reorganisation of the Council of Churches in 1991, Christian Aid has been a separate legal entity, but remains in close relationship with it.

Since its inception Christian Aid has worked on long term development projects where the need is greatest, working with people and communities regardless of race or creed. Today it works in over 60 of the world's poorest countries.

Christian Aid's essential belief is summed up in the statement `We believe in life before death' now part of the Christian Aid logo. In March 2000 the Board approved a new four-year corporate plan, and a vision statement 'Towards a new Earth' which reaffirmed Christian Aid's commitment to strengthening the poor, sharing our common humanity and promoting the dignity and rights of women and men everywhere.

Towards a new Earth

Supported and sustained by the churches and driven by the Gospel, Christian Aid is inspired by the dream of a new earth where all people can secure a better and more just future. Christian Aid's purpose is to expose the scandal of poverty and to contribute to its eradication. The organisation strives to be prophetic, challenging the systems and processes that work against the interests of those who are poor or marginalised.

Christian Aid recognises that change will only come about as a movement is built of individuals who are committed to a better world for all, bringing their faith and talents, their energy, their influence, their gifts and their actions, to achieve what should surely be possible.

Christian Aid in Ireland

Christian Aid's UK & Ireland offices work with churches, communities and individuals to enable them to become part of a world wide movement that strives for justice. Offices organise events, produce local newsletters, support Christian Aid Committees - particularly in the run-up to Christian Aid Week, preach/speak to groups, schools and churches and host programmes for Christian Aid's overseas partners visiting the UK and Ireland.

There are around 150 local Christian Aid committees in Northern Ireland alone, which organise fundraising events for Christian Aid Week and throughout the year. Fairtrade coffee mornings are a fast growing event in the Republic. Individuals can become in involved in many ways: fundraising, campaigning, personal giving and volunteering.

Representatives of Christian Aid's sponsoring churches serve on the Christian Aid Irish Committee, a body which meets three times a year to provide a focus to the Irish Team's work. Four of the Irish Committee members serve on the UK and Ireland Board of Christian Aid. The General Secretary is part of the UK and Ireland management team.