Lutheran World Federation (LWF) is a global communion of 148 churches in the Lutheran tradition representing over 75.5 million Christians in 99 countries.  LWF – World Service is its internationally recognized humanitarian and development arm with a global program embracing over thirty developing countries in Africa, Latin and Central America, South Asia, South-East Asia, Europe and the Middle East.

 

As a related Agency to LWF, ALWS collaborates closely on program planning, operations and joint advocacy. ALWS also has an influential role in strategic planning through the Executive Director’s presence on the governing body of World Service – the Committee for World Service. This committee approves country strategies, global plans, budgets and policy.

 

LWF World Service has long-standing and vital relationships with agencies of LWF member churches engaged in humanitarian assistance and development as well as an international network to which ALWS’ contribution leverages and contributes to including:

 

• ACT Alliance, a network co-founded by LWF which brings together over 130 churches and church-related organizations working in development, humanitarian assistance, and advocacy

 

• UN Agencies such as UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) with whom LWF has a long-standing history and partnership and is currently its their fifth largest partner globally supporting 1.4 million refugees; the UN World Food Programme (WFP); UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF); and the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO)

 

• Institutional Partners such as European Commission Directorate-General for Humanitarian Aid and Civil Protection (ECHO); The European Commission’s Directorate-General for Development and Cooperation (EuropeAid); and The Bureau of Population, Refugees, and Migration (BPRM) of the United States Department of State

 

• International humanitarian networks and organizations that advance humanitarian accountability, advocacy, and quality including the Steering Committee for Humanitarian Response (SCHR), a voluntary alliance that aims to improve the quality, effectiveness, accountability, and impact of aid efforts for people affected by crisis; Core Humanitarian Standards (CHS), a multi-agency initiative working to improve the accountability of humanitarian action to people affected by disasters and other crises; International Council of Voluntary Agencies (ICVA), a platform for increased collaboration and coordination between NGOs and other humanitarian actors; and the SPHERE Project that works to improve the quality and accountability of humanitarian assistance through the development and promotion of humanitarian standards

 

Rooted in Christian values of love, reconciliation and justice, LWF World Service responds to human need throughout the world, serving all people irrespective of ethnicity, gender, religion, race or political conviction.

 

Drawing on a firm commitment to uphold the rights of the poor and oppressed, LWF World Service works together with local and international partners to alleviate suffering, combat injustice and poverty, and lay the foundation for a life in dignity for all.

 

Currently, ALWS has developed long-term partnerships with LWF World Service in Burundi, South Sudan, Kenya, and Nepal. ALWS also has partnerships with programs that were previously LWF World Service programs, such as Life With Dignity (LWD) in Cambodia. ALWS is also connected in regional LWF World Service networks including the AZEECON network in Asia.

 

Approach

 

LWF World Service is committed to an empowering, rights-based and integrated approach in their work.  This approach enables communities to find long-term solutions to the problems they are facing and informs all people of their rights and responsibilities.

 

The benefits of ALWS partnering with LWF World Service are many and include: 

 

• The implementation of effective aid and development programs by a trusted and accountable organisation in-country.
• Assurance of transparent and accountable financial systems for all projects
• The sharing of professional development opportunities and materials
• Access to a wide range of resources and expertise
• The shared use of LWF World Service resources to ensure value for money

 

Read more about LWF here

www.lutheranworld.org