Initiatives of Change
 |
|
| Motto | Building trust across the world's divides |
|---|---|
| Predecessor | Moral Re-Armament |
| Founded | 2001, |
| Type | Non-profit, Interest group |
| Location |
|
| Services | Conferences, Campaigns |
| Fields | Building trust |
|
Key people
|
Dr Omnia Marzouk, elected President, International Association in 2012; Rajmohan Gandhi, former President, International Association; Cornelio Sommaruga, Inaugural President; Mohamed Sahnoun, Chair, Caux Forum for Human Security; |
| Website | http://www.iofc.org/ |
Initiatives of Change ("IofC") is a global organisation dedicated to "building trust across the world's divides" of culture, nationality, belief, and background. Initiatives of Change was known as Moral Re-Armament (MRA) from 1938 to 2001.
These principles are taken from those of the organization's predecessor, Moral Re-Armament (MRA), founded in 1938 by Frank Buchman. Initiatives of Change has spiritual roots but no religious affiliation, and invites "those with a faith...both to explore the roots of their own tradition, and to discover and respect the beliefs of others." The name, "Initiatives of Change", was adopted in 2001, expressing the emphasis of the organization in effecting social change beginning with personal change.
Initiatives of Change programs are taking place in over 60 countries. In the United States, Hope in the Cities promotes "honest conversations" on race, reconciliation and responsibility. Their approach was integrated in the One America Dialogue Guide published by the White House at the initiative of President Bill Clinton in 1998. The programme 'Trust and Integrity in the Global Economy' hold events in a number of Western countries, focusing on overcoming corruption and building cooperation. In Switzerland, the Caux Forum for Human Security brings together people working for peace and human security. In India,the IC Centre for Governance works with development experts, policy makers, social activists and others to strengthen the role of citizens in governance. Foundations for Freedom aims to support the development of democratic societies in Central and Eastern Europe. In Sierra Leone, Hope Sierra Leone is active in reconciling and rebuilding the country ravaged by civil war. In France Education à la paix (Education For Peace) is teaching students about civic responsibility, including the skills of conflict resolution.
Initiatives of Change International, a non-governmental organization based in Caux, Switzerland, is the legal and administrative entity that coordinates the national bodies of Initiatives of Change; It holds Special Consultative Status with the United Nations Economic and Social Council, and Participatory Status at the Council of Europe. Its first President was Cornelio Sommaruga, formerly President of the International Committee of the Red Cross. He was succeeded by Mohamed Sahnoun, formerly Senior Advisor to UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan. In 2009 Prof. Rajmohan Gandhi, historian and biographer of his grandfather Mahatma Gandhi, was elected President. In 2012 Dr Omnia Marzouk, a paediatrician originally from Egypt and now based in UK, was elected President. In 2014 Initiatives of Change was awarded the Ousseimi Prize for Tolerance.
...
Wikipedia