A brief history of

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.

Statement of faith of Christian Aid

Too often the dream of a new earth is in conflict with reality. With this in mind we take strength from our belief that: God hopes and works for a new earth where all shall be included in the feast of life. In Jesus Christ we see how costly it is to bring that new earth about.

God's design for a new earth is to put the poorest first, and the Gospel tells us the importance of bringing the poor good news

Anyone, rich or poor, can be generous, wise and creative because everyone, rich or poor, is made in God's image and everyone is impoverished when one person is excluded.

The world is structured to benefit rich rather than poor communities, but we can work together to redress the balance. None of us can be entrusted with too much power over others.

Loving our neighbours means working for justice, so that all people have some control over the way they live their life. God made the earth to sustain and delight us, and we are called to take care of it and enjoy it.

The God of all the earth is at work beyond the churches as well as within them, making common cause with all who want the poor to be included.

Despite the persistence of evil, now is always the time when more good can be done and we can make a difference. We long for the time when the meek shall inherit a new earth and all who hunger and thirst after justice shall be satisfied.

Statement of intent of Christian Aid

We will substantially strengthen key partnerships and international and local alliances.

We will work with those who are committed to supporting poor and marginalised communities to eradicate poverty and promote basic rights and justice.

We will seek to enhance Christian Aid's response to emergencies, to ensure that these are flexible, integrated, effective and able to address immediate and long-term needs.

We will continue to strive for demonstrable changes to address unjust and unequal power relationships, systems, structures and processes that discriminate against the poorest people, achieving these through education, advocacy and campaigning.

We will continue to listen to, and seek to inspire and serve more churches and individuals, enabling them to respond to the Gospel as good news to the poor and to put their faith into action.

We will do this in ways that build the support and commitment of a movement of people concerned to win changes that achieve real impact and lasting justice for those who are poor and powerless.

To do this we will aim to increase substantially Christian Aid's annual income, building an integrated, ethical and appropriate strategy.

We will strive to be well managed, accountable and a learning organisation, which recognises the needs of supporters, volunteers, staff and partners, developing flexible ways of working and the resources to support them.

Further details of Christian Aid can be found on their excellent website: http://www.christian-aid.org.uk