Initiatives of Change International

Contents

Initiatives of Change International
Initiatives of Change
Aims
Funding Sources

Initiatives of Change International (IofC International) is a non-government organization (NGO) working for peace, reconciliation and human security worldwide. It has Special Consultative Status with the Economic and Social Council of the United Nations, and Participatory Status at the Council of Europe in Strasbourg. It stresses the importance of personal responsibility, ethical leadership and building trust across the world’s divides.

Based in Caux, Switzerland, IofC International was founded in 2002 as an association bringing together the autonomous national bodies of the Initiatives of Change movement which are active in 39 countries, many of them over several decades.

IofC International represents the universality and multifaith character of the movement, and facilitates its relationships with the United Nations and other international organizations through its Geneva office. Its Office of Training Services in Geneva connects the training capacities of the worldwide movement with needs identified by the UN and other international agencies.

IofC International has operational responsibility for Initiatives of Change’s global communications and facilitates collaboration between IofC national bodies. Certain trans-national programmes of the Initiatives of Change movement also operate under its auspices.

In 2008 IofC International launches the new Caux Forum for Human Security at the movement’s international conference centre in Caux. The Forum is expected to become a global resource for those working for peace and human security at all levels.

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About Initiatives of Change 

Initiatives of Change (IofC) is a diverse, global network committed to building trust across the world’s divides. Active in over 60 countries, it comprises people of many cultures, nations, beliefs and backgrounds transforming society through changes in individuals and relationships, starting in their own lives.

In 1938 as Europe prepared for war Frank Buchman, its originator, launched a campaign for ‘moral and spiritual re-armament’ as the way to build a ‘hate-free, fear-free, greed-free world’.

Following World War II, Moral Re-Armament (MRA), as it became known, worked for reconciliation between France and Germany, and between Japan and some of its Asian neighbours. It was involved in the process of decolonization, and in forging industrial teamwork and harmonious race relations. It was also active in interreligious relations and in the struggle for the rights of indigenous peoples.

In all these cases, what made the difference was the reality that each person, whatever their situation, has a role to play. Through changes in behaviour and mindsets, individuals and groups in conflict found a way to bridge their divides. Change isn’t easy and a spiritual dynamic is required to overcome inertia. Daily quiet times to seek inner inspiration and a commitment to ethical practice can provide that dynamic.

IofC’s emphasis is on individuals taking personal responsibility for change, recognizing that everyone – even the seemingly weak or powerless – has a part to play. Its methods focus on the interaction of people, whether few or many, in homes, small or large groups, personal encounters, training courses, and local or international conferences. For over 70 years IofC has brought people of diverse backgrounds and faiths together, providing a rallying point for individuals and teams to work for justice, healing and human development.

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Aims 

As a diverse global network, IofC initiates programmes aimed at:

• Healing the wounds of history that sustain cycles of revenge, especially where cultures and civilizations meet.
• Strengthening the moral and spiritual dimensions of democracy, so challenging selfish interests and corruption.
• Helping individuals and families to counter the climate of blame and selfishness with a culture of care and personal responsibility.
• Strengthening the motivation of care and moral commitment in economic life and thinking, in order to create jobs, correct economic and environmental imbalance, and tackle the root causes of poverty.
• Rebuilding a sense of community and hope in cities and tackling the causes of racial and communal discrimination.
• Forging networks among people from different cultures and faiths based on a shared commitment to work for reconciliation, justice, and peace.

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Funding 

Initiatives of Change is financed by a combination of individual contributions, its own activities, grants from corporations, foundations and governments, and income from invested funds, mostly received from bequests.

Its major conference centre, owned and managed by the Swiss foundation CAUX–Initiatives of Change, is funded in like manner and by the lease of the Caux facility to a hotel management school for 10 months of the year. Asia Plateau centre in India is largely funded by training programmes and contributions of conference participants.

Full-time workers receive modest salaries or allowances and in-kind support. Part-time volunteers make significant contributions of their time and skills. Accounts of national societies are audited annually and are available on request.

Initiatives of Change International receives occasional grants for specific projects from governments and private foundations, and is supported by contributions from individuals and its 21-member national societies. Fresh funds would enable us to expand our capacity, to satisfy the growing demand for our trust-building work. Contributions are usually most tax-efficient through the national associations of IofC. Contributions and funding enquiries for international operations can be directed through the Treasurer.

Click here for information on online payments.

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