InterAction Standards Report

The InterAction Standards serve a critical role, linking members in the common pursuit of the highest ethical conduct and certifying to the public-at-large members' commitment to certain ideals and ways of operating. Compliance with the Standards is a tangible, professional accomplishment that rightly enhances the credibility of member organizations.

In its recent InterAction Standards self-assessment (February 2001), Church World Service earned high marks in all areas of focus: Governance; Organizational Integrity; Finances; Communications to the U.S. Public; Management Practice and Human Resources; Program, Program; Promoting Gender Equity; Diversity, and People with Disabilities; Emergency, Civil Conflict and Disaster Response; Material Assistance; Migration and Refugee Assistance; Development; Development Education; and Public Policy.

In the area of governance, Church World Service reports an exemplary level of Board involvement. And, with regard to organizational integrity and finances, CWS has forged a network of internal standards insuring that donors' intentions are honored to the fullest extent possible.

Church World Service rates as a family-friendly, equity-oriented organization, with policies and practices that enable both women and men to balance work and family life. This finding is consistent with our international program, in which gender analysis and planning is a top priority, especially in leadership training and education, cornerstones of our work around the world.

One of the hallmarks of CWS work that stands out in the assessment is the high degree to which program participants are involved in the design, implementation, and evaluation of programs and projects. Church World Service gives top priority, both philosophically and operationally, to working in partnership with indigenous local and national organizations, most often ecumenically-based. We encourage the creation of indigenous organizations where they do not exist and their strengthening where they do--respecting the dignity and values of cultures and peoples.

CWS provides disaster and development assistance, as well as aid to refugees, in a non-discriminatory fashion, working with those most at risk regardless of political or religious affiliation. With regard to material aid, Church World Service works to enhance local productive capacity, avoid dependency, reduce vulnerability to future disasters, and lay a basis for long-term development.

In the areas of development education and public policy, Church World Service reports initiatives designed to increase awareness among the U.S. public about how local issues such as the economy, immigration, health, the environment, and trade have an impact on the well-being of local and global society.

For more information about InterAction Standards, please visit www.interaction.org/pvostandards/index.html.

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