Mission and Vision
A just world, without poverty. That is our mission. We believe that people can build independent livelihoods, provided their rights are respected. That is why we help people around the world to stand up for their rights.
1. Right to sustainable livelihood resources
Everybody must be sure of a fair income and enough to eat. Yet this is not the case for 20% of the world’s population. That is why we are working on better access to land and water, and on fair working and trading conditions.
2. Right to basic social services
Education and health care are essential for building better societies. Yet even as we make progress towards universal primary education, around the world, there are still 130 million kids in school who fail to learn basic reading, writing and maths. When governments fail to deliver, Oxfam together with partner organizations invest in quality basic social services.
3. Right to life and security
Natural disasters, climate change and armed conflicts hit millions of people every year. We support them with relief aid and reconstruction. And we prepare people to prevent or mitigate the effects of disasters and conflicts.
4. Right to social and political participation
Knowledge is power. We believe that when people can participate in public decisions that affect them, they can build independent livelihoods and thriving communities.Together with partners we give people access to information and a voice.
5. Right to an identity
Gender inequality is both a violation of human rights and an obstacle to sustainable development. In a just world there is no place for the discrimination of women and minorities.
Our Core Values
When people’s basic rights are respected, we can rid the world of poverty and injustice. This is what we stand for:
- Empowerment
We work on the basis of the power and potential of people. We provide practical and innovative solutions to empower people to build their livelihoods without poverty.
- Accountability
We call on those in power to consider people in a vulnerable position in word and action. And we of course account for our own work to governments, donors, supporters, volunteers, corporations and almost 17 million Dutch men and women.
- Inclusiveness
We are all equal, irrespective of the accident of birth, gender, faith or sexual orientation. In all our work we give special attention to the position and rights of women and minorities. And given the potentially pivotal role of women as agents of change, gender justice is at the heart of everything we do.
Members:
Resources
Displaying 71 - 75 of 328RVO Insurance Conv. Addit. PAX 21-22
General
The objective of the covenant is described in Chapter 1: The covenant focuses on the conduct of responsible investment policy by Insurers because of the international nature of this activity. This involves preventing, limiting and, if necessary, remedying as far as possible any negative impact on people, animals and the environment. This project supports the efforts of NGOs in realising concrete, implementing activities arising from their participation in the various working groups. NB: Participation inthe working groups by NGOs is already funded from the already approved Pillar 1 funding of RFO. A-05997 Working Group 1: Thematic frameworks have been jointly developed by the Parties. These five thematic frameworks will be rolled out by means of joint activities (e.g. the active promotion and explanation of) for the purpose of implementation by the insurers. The activities of this working group contribute to preventing, mitigating and remedying negative impacts on specific themes explicitly included inthe aforementioned article of the Covenant, namely: animal welfare, children's rights, land rights, climate change and controversial weapons and controversial arms trade. Working Group 2: Each year the parties will select a theme for further cooperationinthe context of 'do good'. For the year 2020, thecovenant parties have chosen the theme of 'access to medicine'. Access to medicine is a direct part of the 'right to health' (International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights; Article 12) is in line with SDG 3: ensuring good health and well-being for everyone at all ages. It is of great importance that pharmaceutical companies worldwide, including explicitly in developing countries and emerging economies, corporate social responsibility, in line with the OECD guidelines and the UNGPs, with regard to this right to health. Working group 4: On the basis of fictitious and existing cases, the parties investigate how insurers can contribute torecovery and redress and how they can organise their commitment as optimally as possible in order to achieve a real positive impact'on the ground'. Working with existing cases, among others, provides a clearer picture of possible negative impacts of specific investments and best practice on how these negative impacts can be prevented and limited. In 2020, this working group will, among otherthings, organise a case session on 'Recovery and Story'. The proceeds of this case session (in the form of lessons learned) will bepublished. Working Group 5: In the coming year, the parties will start investigating the possibilities for improving transparency and reporting by insurers. Transparency is important for compliance with the OECD guidelines and UNGPs and the dialogue with internaland external stakeholders.In order to collaborate effectively with others, it is also important to provide insight into results achieved and challenges in the area of ESG due diligence. Finally, public disclosure of results and ambitions can serve as a good stimulus to continue to improve ESG due diligence structurally. The independent monitoring committee, which monitors the progress of the agreements made in the Covenant, endorsed transparency as an important part of the Covenant. - Save the Children contributes knowledge about children's rights in a broad sense, including child labour, nutrition and health care. Because of this expertise, they contribute to working group 1, 2 and 4. - Oxfam Novib contributes knowledge on gender equality, land rights, access to medicines, climate change, fair taxation and the fight against corruption. Because of this expertise they contribute to all working groups. - Pax forPeace contributes knowledge about controversial weapons and arms trade, protection of civilians in war situations, advocacy for victims of human rights violations and natural resources in relation to conflict and human rights. Because of this expertise, they contribute to working groups 1, 4 and 5. - Natuur en Milieu contributes knowledge about climate change, sustainable energy sources, sustainable food and sustainable use of raw materials. Because of this expertise they contribute to working group 1....- World Animal Protection contributes knowledge on animal welfare, also in relation to nature conservation, biodiversity, the protein transition, sustainable food production and climate change. Because of this expertise they contribute to working groups 1, 4 and 5.
Food Commodity Traders (SOMO)
General
The unequal global food system is unsustainable for people and planet, and there is an urgent need to rethink how the world feeds its people. The combination of extreme inequality and poverty, human rights violations, conflict, climate change and sharp food and energy price inflation, accelerated by the war in Ukraine and the COVID-19 pandemic, has already resulted in hundreds of millions of people not having enough to eat. The global food crisis has been partially made worse by the record high increase in food prices. According to the World Bank update as of August 2022, wheat and maize prices are 2% higher than January 2022, while rice is 6% higher. But while millions of people are struggling to find and afford their next meal, the world’s main foodtraders have made record profits. The Cargill family, which owns the majority of one of the world’s largest food traders, saw their fortune increase by almost $20m a day from the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. In 2021, the company made almost $5bn in net income, the biggest profit in its history. Some other traders have also captured a large share of the money – for example, Bunge saw its profits rise by 19% between the first quarter of 2021 and the first quarter of 2022. Another big trader, Archer Daniels Midland (ADM), saw its net income rise from $1.105 billion to $1.539 billion over the same period. These companies are further forecasting demand to outpace supply at least until 2024, which will most likely result in even higher revenues and profitsin the next two years. According to estimates, ADM, Bunge, Cargill, COFCO and LDC (collectively known as the ABCD group) together account for between 75% and 90% of global grain trade , though even the most reliable estimates remain uncertain. Despitethe immense market power of these five companies, the traders have historically preferred to operate behind the scenes, often positioning themselves as mere market facilitators rather than active and powerful actors in food supply chains. In addition, two of the four companies, Cargill and LDC, are privately-owned family businessesthat provide very limited transparency into their operations and financial performance, and COFCO is a Chinese state-owned enterprise. As a result of the opaqueness surrounding the traders, public scrutiny towards the role of these companies in food crises has been limited, and data and knowledge on their power within the food system remains inadequate. But behind the scenes, commodity traders have been associated with profound impacts on human rights and the environment. According to the Business <(>&<)> Human Rights Resource Centre, food commodity traders have been accused of land rights abuses, displacement, and violence, including death threats against human rights defenders.There have also been accusations of child and forced labour, unsafe and even deadly working conditions, as well as environmental impacts such as contamination of soil and water, and deforestation. These same traders have also been widely associated with aggressive tax planning and corruption in various countries. One of the most prominent allegations surfaced in 2011, when the Argentinian government launched an investigation into ADM, Bunge, Cargill and LDC when prices for agricultural commodities spiked in 2008 and yet no increase in profit for the four companies had been reported to the Argentinian tax authorities. According to the investigators, the companies had submitted false sales declarations, funnelled profits through tax havens, and used phantom firms to buy grain at inflated costs to reduce recorded profits. The case is still ongoing, although the accused companies continue to deny all allegations. Reflecting on the current food crisis and the record profits among traders, there is an urgent need to better understand the role of commodity traders in the current global food system. The opaqueness surrounding the ABCCD traders, limited availability of data, and the general lack of public scrutiny towards these companies necessitate research to form the basis of a well-founded campaign calling for regulatory restrictions to limit traders’ negative impacts on people and the planet, to curb the power of commodity traders within the global food system, to fairly tax their record profits in times of crisis, and/or to restrict financing of traders and speculation on food commodities. The research will be split up in two parts: 1) Profit <(>&<)> power:A corporate profile of the food traders. The first part of the research functions as a crucial lead up and background information to the second part by providing a picture of the five biggest agri-food traders and their respective operations, an example of a supply chain and the profits of the top holdings. This part of the research will also explore how and why these ABCCD traders have benefitted from recent food crises. 2) Traders <(>&<)> taxes: A case of tax avoidance? The second part of the research explores whether the ABCCD have been involved in aggressive tax planning practices. The ABCCD traders have a track record of profiting during times of crisis, while also facing significant accusations of aggressive tax planning in relation to those profits. These allegations include false declarations of sales, transfer mispricing, routing profits through tax havens, and manipulation of taxable profits. Based on financial statements and corporate documentation, the research will provide an overview of evidence whether food commodity traders make use of aggressive tax planning tactics. Following this analysis, one food commodity trader will be selected for further research to function as a case study on aggressive tax planning strategies, particularly in relation to the traders’ activities in the Netherlands.
RVO Insurance Conv. Addit. N&M 21-22
General
The objective of the covenant is described in Chapter 1: The covenant focuses on the conduct of responsible investment policy by Insurers because of the international nature of this activity. This involves preventing, limiting and, if necessary, remedying as far as possible any negative impact on people, animals and the environment. This project supports the efforts of NGOs in realising concrete, implementing activities arising from their participation in the various working groups. NB: Participation inthe working groups by NGOs is already funded from the already approved Pillar 1 funding of RFO. A-05997 Working Group 1: Thematic frameworks have been jointly developed by the Parties. These five thematic frameworks will be rolled out by means of joint activities (e.g. the active promotion and explanation of) for the purpose of implementation by the insurers. The activities of this working group contribute to preventing, mitigating and remedying negative impacts on specific themes explicitly included inthe aforementioned article of the Covenant, namely: animal welfare, children's rights, land rights, climate change and controversial weapons and controversial arms trade. Working Group 2: Each year the parties will select a theme for further cooperationinthe context of 'do good'. For the year 2020, thecovenant parties have chosen the theme of 'access to medicine'. Access to medicine is a direct part of the 'right to health' (International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights; Article 12) is in line with SDG 3: ensuring good health and well-being for everyone at all ages. It is of great importance that pharmaceutical companies worldwide, including explicitly in developing countries and emerging economies, corporate social responsibility, in line with the OECD guidelines and the UNGPs, with regard to this right to health. Working group 4: On the basis of fictitious and existing cases, the parties investigate how insurers can contribute torecovery and redress and how they can organise their commitment as optimally as possible in order to achieve a real positive impact'on the ground'. Working with existing cases, among others, provides a clearer picture of possible negative impacts of specific investments and best practice on how these negative impacts can be prevented and limited. In 2020, this working group will, among otherthings, organise a case session on 'Recovery and Story'. The proceeds of this case session (in the form of lessons learned) will bepublished. Working Group 5: In the coming year, the parties will start investigating the possibilities for improving transparency and reporting by insurers. Transparency is important for compliance with the OECD guidelines and UNGPs and the dialogue with internaland external stakeholders.In order to collaborate effectively with others, it is also important to provide insight into results achieved and challenges in the area of ESG due diligence. Finally, public disclosure of results and ambitions can serve as a good stimulus to continue to improve ESG due diligence structurally. The independent monitoring committee, which monitors the progress of the agreements made in the Covenant, endorsed transparency as an important part of the Covenant. - Save the Children contributes knowledge about children's rights in a broad sense, including child labour, nutrition and health care. Because of this expertise, they contribute to working group 1, 2 and 4. - Oxfam Novib contributes knowledge on gender equality, land rights, access to medicines, climate change, fair taxation and the fight against corruption. Because of this expertise they contribute to all working groups. - Pax forPeace contributes knowledge about controversial weapons and arms trade, protection of civilians in war situations, advocacy for victims of human rights violations and natural resources in relation to conflict and human rights. Because of this expertise, they contribute to working groups 1, 4 and 5. - Natuur en Milieu contributes knowledge about climate change, sustainable energy sources, sustainable food and sustainable use of raw materials. Because of this expertise they contribute to working group 1....- World Animal Protection contributes knowledge on animal welfare, also in relation to nature conservation, biodiversity, the protein transition, sustainable food production and climate change. Because of this expertise they contribute to working groups 1, 4 and 5.
RVO Insurance Conv. Save the Children
General
The objective of the covenant is described in Chapter 1: The covenant focuses on the conduct of responsible investment policy by Insurers because of the international nature of this activity. This involves preventing, limiting and, if necessary, remedying as far as possible any negative impact on people, animals and the environment. This project supports the efforts of NGOs in realising concrete, implementing activities arising from their participation in the various working groups. NB: Participation inthe working groups by NGOs is already funded from the already approved Pillar 1 funding of RFO. A-05997 Working Group 1: Thematic frameworks have been jointly developed by the Parties. These five thematic frameworks will be rolled out by means of joint activities (e.g. the active promotion and explanation of) for the purpose of implementation by the insurers. The activities of this working group contribute to preventing, mitigating and remedying negative impacts on specific themes explicitly included inthe aforementioned article of the Covenant, namely: animal welfare, children's rights, land rights, climate change and controversial weapons and controversial arms trade. Working Group 2: Each year the parties will select a theme for further cooperationinthe context of 'do good'. For the year 2020, thecovenant parties have chosen the theme of 'access to medicine'. Access to medicine is a direct part of the 'right to health' (International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights; Article 12) is in line with SDG 3: ensuring good health and well-being for everyone at all ages. It is of great importance that pharmaceutical companies worldwide, including explicitly in developing countries and emerging economies, corporate social responsibility, in line with the OECD guidelines and the UNGPs, with regard to this right to health. Working group 4: On the basis of fictitious and existing cases, the parties investigate how insurers can contribute torecovery and redress and how they can organise their commitment as optimally as possible in order to achieve a real positive impact'on the ground'. Working with existing cases, among others, provides a clearer picture of possible negative impacts of specific investments and best practice on how these negative impacts can be prevented and limited. In 2020, this working group will, among otherthings, organise a case session on 'Recovery and Story'. The proceeds of this case session (in the form of lessons learned) will bepublished. Working Group 5: In the coming year, the parties will start investigating the possibilities for improving transparency and reporting by insurers. Transparency is important for compliance with the OECD guidelines and UNGPs and the dialogue with internaland external stakeholders.In order to collaborate effectively with others, it is also important to provide insight into results achieved and challenges in the area of ESG due diligence. Finally, public disclosure of results and ambitions can serve as a good stimulus to continue to improve ESG due diligence structurally. The independent monitoring committee, which monitors the progress of the agreements made in the Covenant, endorsed transparency as an important part of the Covenant. - Save the Children contributes knowledge about children's rights in a broad sense, including child labour, nutrition and health care. Because of this expertise, they contribute to working group 1, 2 and 4. - Oxfam Novib contributes knowledge on gender equality, land rights, access to medicines, climate change, fair taxation and the fight against corruption. Because of this expertise they contribute to all working groups. - Pax forPeace contributes knowledge about controversial weapons and arms trade, protection of civilians in war situations, advocacy for victims of human rights violations and natural resources in relation to conflict and human rights. Because of this expertise, they contribute to working groups 1, 4 and 5. - Natuur en Milieu contributes knowledge about climate change, sustainable energy sources, sustainable food and sustainable use of raw materials. Because of this expertise they contribute to working group 1....- World Animal Protection contributes knowledge on animal welfare, also in relation to nature conservation, biodiversity, the protein transition, sustainable food production and climate change. Because of this expertise they contribute to working groups 1, 4 and 5.
Step up Together Community Based
General
The purpose of the project is to advance women rights to own and use land. SUTO intends to embark on civic education on land rightsand tenure system provided in the Land Act, community Land act, succession Act and constitution of Kenya targeting 1500 women through use of organized community formations, self-help groups and women groups. Step Up Together will provide intensive civic educationthrough women land rights champions, mass civic educations through use of local radio stations, chief barazas andcommunity meetingsand dialogues with duty bearers such as county land and spatial planning on land ownership. Additionally, the project will promote livelihood and agricultural training to women and credit to enhance farm produce and income. The interventions we propose to undertake include: 1) Conduct civic education forum to create awareness on Land Tenure <(>&<)> Rights and succession, Land Act 2012 and Community Land Act 2016.This awareness will enable our rightsholders to be informed, access justice so that they be able to benefit from their land rights 2) Undertake three-day non-residential Training of Self-help women groups officials on, chiefs and customary leaders on land tenure and Land Rights. These officials will become the community Champions whowill train other community members on land rights and the processes to undertake in coming up with solutions on land disputes. This ripple effect will be conducted through chief barazas, self-help groups, community meetings 3) Conduct three days Capacitybuilding training for 20 women groups on effectiveland use and agri-business training to improve livelihoods. One leader per group will be picked from 20 groups to benefit from better farming methods and building a business lens to agriculture to promote more income and wealth from women agricultural activities,this will not only improve livelihoods within family level better also at the community level 4) Conduct 4 Legal Aid Clinics and referrals to women victims of land dispossession - the will be provided with pro-bono legal services to enable them access to justice 5) Facilitate quarterly community dialogue session between the community and court users committee. This dialogue will be geared towards addressing legal barriers to justice for land related cases affecting women who have been dispossessed their properties 6)Conduct mass civic education Using Rural Radio, community meetings, posters and digital media spaces 7) Conduct two media tours per sub-county to document women struggle with land inequality and approaches being used infighting for equity, this will enable other women to learn from better experience from women who have walked through the same problem 8)Conduct two stakeholders dialogue meeting per sub county on land use planning andownership, harmful gender and social norms. The purpose of the dialogues is to promote change in gender bias that hinder women from gaining right and control of resources within the community and family level.