Transformational Development
Emergency Relief
Promotion of Justice
Strategic Initiatives
Public Awareness
Witness to Jesus Christ

Transformational Development
We define “development” not just as a higher material standard of living, but as a process of poor people taking control of their situations, identifying their most critical needs, and working together to find solutions. In this way people can transform their lives.

This is a “holistic” approach – recognising people's physical, social, spiritual, economic and political needs.

In this kind of development process, people discover the barriers that prevent them from moving towards a better future. This helps them to deal not only with immediate problems, like malnutrition and disease, but with underlying causes such as unemployment, illiteracy, landlessness and dependency.

Emergency Relief
World Vision is known for its rapid response to the victims of war or conflict, flood, drought, earthquake, famine and other crises. Experienced staff work with those affected to provide food, shelter, medicine and other immediate needs.

We follow the International Code of Conduct for disaster relief organisations, alongside International Red Cross, Red Crescent and other non-government organisations (NGOs).

Emergency relief is only the first step. The second is to establish rehabilitation programs that help people rebuild their lives, and development programs that will enable people to protect themselves against future disasters. Our aims are to enable people to become independent of foreign aid and to promote human dignity.

Promotion of Justice
Part of World Vision’s work is to act as an advocate for victims of injustice and poverty. We consult with those who are most affected and aim to empower people to find appropriate solutions to their own problems.

We also work to change the unjust structures affecting their lives in other ways, including lobbying at the United Nations and supporting advocacy campaigns.

Strategic Initiatives
We seek to support, encourage and strengthen community leaders, including church leaders, through conferences, consultation and educational opportunities. This fosters a kind of leadership that serves others and has an understanding of and commitment to the poor.

Public Awareness
We encourage people to see beyond their own situation and interests, and to care about the needs of others.

We raise awareness of human need through a variety of programs and campaigns, challenging people not only to respond financially, but to take action in other ways – such as letter writing and lobbying. Creating partnerships and understanding between people in different parts of the world can enable us all to work in solidarity to reach our goals.

Witness to Jesus Christ
World Vision seeks, by our lives, words and actions, to make known God's offer of renewal and reconciliation through Jesus Christ, and to encourage people to respond. This part of our holistic approach is just as important as the physical, social, economic and political aspects of our work.

World Vision welcomes partnership with Christian churches and respects the diversity represented across the spectrum of churches, but opposes proselytism (actively recruiting converts) or coercion of any kind.