About Us
ICSW - International Council on Social Welfare




For ICSW web-site, click here

The International Council on Social Welfare, founded in 1928, is a non-governmental organisation, operating throughout the world for the cause of social welfare, social justice and social development.

Mission

ICSW’s basic mission is to promote forms of social and economic development which aim to reduce poverty, hardship and vulnerability throughout the world, especially amongst disadvantaged people. It strives for recognition and protection of fundamental rights to food, shelter, education, health care and security. It believes that these rights are an essential foundation for freedom, justice and peace. It seeks also to advance equality of opportunity, freedom of self-expression and access to human services.

Aims

ICSW advocates policies and programmes which strike an appropriate balance between social and economic goals and which respect cultural diversity. It seeks implementation of these proposals by governments, international organisations, non-governmental agencies and others. It does so in cooperation with its network of members and with a wide range of other organisations at local, national and international levels.

ICSW’s main ways of pursuing its aims include gathering and disseminating information, undertaking research and analysis, convening seminars and conferences, drawing on grass-roots experiences, strengthening non-governmental organisations, developing policy proposals, engaging in public advocacy and working with policy-makers and administrators in government and elsewhere.

It's members are:

  • National Committees, which represent in their own countries non-governmental organisations, national authorities, practitioners and researchers, who are in the front line in promoting social welfare, social justice and social development.
  • International organisations which are extensive world-wide umbrella organisations.
  • Other national organisations.

ICSW is actively supporting the work of UN agencies and has consultative status (category 1) with the United Nations Economic and Social Council.

ICSW is divided in five regions. There are 13 National Committees and some national organisations which are members of the ICSW European Region. International organisations which are the members of ICSW and having a base in Europe also participate in the ICSW European Region work.

ICSW European Region seeks to emphasise particularly
  • Implementation of the results of World Summit for Social Development and particularly Social Integration
  • Civil dialogue
  • Support and encouragement of Central and Eastern European Countries in their social development.
Contacts
Thea Meinema
Secretary General
ICSW Europe
c/o MOVISIE
P.O. Box 19129
NL-3501 DC Utrecht

Tel. +31 (30) 789 21 48
Fax. +31 (30) 789 21 11