Over the coming months, we will begin the shift from being a traditional aid agency to becoming part of a global movement for peace. A movement that places community leadership at its heart and invites communities of faith across borders to act in solidarity.
While our model is changing, our mission remains the same: to support people displaced by conflict, climate and disaster. As violence and suffering continues to increase throughout the world, so do the demands of our partners working in affected communities. The work of Act for Peace is needed today more than ever.
Against this backdrop, this new chapter is guided by our belief that a better way is possible.
This transformation is not a departure from our roots; it is a recommitment to our founding principles: That the Church is called to stand with and advocate for those who are suffering.
Our identity and purpose are rooted in the Christian call to justice, mercy and kindness. As an ecumenical organisation, we are committed to working through the church to see a more peaceful world.
To enable this new chapter, a number of priorities have been identified, including:
- A renewed emphasis on partner-led actions, amplifying the voice and agency of displaced communities to shape their own futures.
- Deepening meaningful connections between faith communities, to see more Australian Christians and churches standing in solidarity with conflict-impacted people.
- A sustainable financial model, that provides reliable and flexible support to our partners overseas and is resilient to fluctuations in the Australian economy.
- Establishing an Invest-In-Peace Fund, to create a high-impact funding stream through investments and capital donations.
As we implement this new model, some changes to our structure are taking place. We acknowledge the impact this will have on some team members and are committed to a respectful and supportive transition. We are deeply grateful for the generosity, leadership and compassion of all our partners and supporters in Australia and internationally. Thank you for being a champion and advocate for peace. We look forward to sharing more details of this new chapter with you over the coming months.